The Load Lifted, and Peace Came

March 1, 2003 - The day our son Franklin left for Mafraq, Jordan, long ago, I read John 17 as my prayer for him. Suddenly verse 19 brought me up short.

by Ruth Bell Graham

"For their sakes," Jesus prayed, "I sanctify [set apart, commit, consecrate] myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth" (KJV).

This was our Lord Himself praying.

I could not miss it. I could not bypass it. I had to handle it head-on. For Franklin and his friend Bill's sake, I needed to recommit my life to God before I could ask that He do that for them.

I prayed, "Lord, You take care of them. I need to settle some things in my own life with You."

It is unrealistic to ask the Lord to do in someone else's life that which we are unwilling for Him to do in ours.

So, putting Franklin and Bill "on hold," I settled some things with God that day.

The load lifted, and peace came.