“I’ll be right there. I’m going to be praying for all of you,” I said.

“Sarah, I’ve got to go. The doctor is coming.” She hung up the phone before I could reply. A parent’s worst nightmare, and it was happening to my best friend and her beautiful little boy. I grabbed my purse and keys and ran out of the house.

Twenty minutes later I arrived at the hospital. When I saw Lisa, her response made it clear—Sean was already gone. The tears began pouring down my cheeks. God, why did You allow this? Please help me know how I can minister to Lisa and her family.

We live in a fallen world where bad things happen. But our God is the One who created the heavens and the earth. He created you and me. He knows every breath we’ll ever take. He also created us to love one another and to minister to people when they are hurting.

Hebrews 13:1 sums up how God wants us to treat those in need: “Let brotherly love continue.” It could be something simple like making a phone call to someone who is lonely or something much more difficult like helping a friend through a divorce or the death of a loved one. No matter what kind of circumstances we find ourselves in, we can show God’s never-ending love to others simply by praying and asking God, What can I do? How should I pray for them?