Thank you for these thoughts, which go down deep.
I have a “problem son” who has intractable psychological/emotional problems, stemming initially I think from early childhood (orphanage) trauma. I pray for him so much, sometimes to the point of tears.
Yet I realize that he is “Property of Jesus,” he’s been entrusted to God, and that our Good Shepherd does not allow a suffering, straying sheep -— HIS sheep, a sheep that was entrusted to HIM -— to be lost forever.
“For the joy set before Him, He endured the cross!”
That joy must include the well-being and redemption of my son. At some point -— who knows when? — he will be healed and made holy, and enter Heaven glorious because this would give Jesus joy. Seeing this in the future, and joyful, Jesus endured the cross.
Praise Him.
I make hospital, hospice and nursing home visits on a regular basis. I am reminded daily of the Words of Jesus, found in the last chapter of Mark, in Red Letter in some of our bibles - These signs shall follow those that believe, ....they shall lay hands on the sick and they shall recover. In that example, prayer was not even mentioned.
So I touch folks, hand-shakes, hold hands during prayer, some form of contact.
Another simple reminder is to acknowledge others, accept them and affirm them. - Hey, I notice you. I like you, and I like the things that you do.