Pain. We all experience it. It can be physical, emotional, relational, or even spiritual. Pain can be short or chronic. Pain affects everyone. How do we steady ourselves when our hearts start to break? How do we get our arms around, endure, and even overcome pain? How can we avoid the sinkholes of fear and anxiety commonly associated with pain? There is hope for us as we guard our hearts against worries, fear, regret, and other discouraging emotions related to pain. We can live out God's plan in whatever pain we encounter as we trust God and His mercy. Below are 8 prayers to help us sustain our hearts when the pitfalls or reality of pain surrounds us.
1. And we have come to know and believe the love that God has for us. God is love; - 1 John 4:16 NLT
Lord, the emotional pain I am feeling seems unbearable right now. I know You control everything, but I feel like You don't love me. Help me not to allow my circumstances to dictate my view of Your character. You are love. You are good, and Your mercies are new every morning. Help me to trust You, Amen.
2. The LORD will work out His plans for my life—for Your faithful love, O LORD, endures forever. Don't abandon me, for You made me. - Psalm 138:8 NLT
Lord, I'm struggling with the pain that I am in. Some days this burden seems overwhelming. I'm at a loss for what to do. Please show me how I can find peace in Your faithful love. May I remember that, despite what I'm going through, Your love for me will never end, and You have a good purpose for me. Show me Your loving heart, Father. Amen.
3. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up in honor. - James 4:10 NLT
Loving Father, You sometimes allow trials in my life to teach me gently from pain. It does not feel good and can even cause me to question You and Your love. Help me to humble myself under the pain of the circumstances so that I might learn to be more like You. In Jesus' name. Amen.
4. Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. - Proverbs 3:5 NLT
Lord, I am trying to do Your will, but the pain keeps coming into my life and produces doubt. My faith seems strong sometimes, but the pain comes, and I quickly crumble. Help me to trust You will all my heart and not lean on my feelings which are so unstable. Help me to know You are trustworthy because You are faithful and stable. Amen.
5. If we are unfaithful, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny who He is. - 2 Timothy 2:13 NLT
Father, I confess I lose faith when the pain hits my life. I get so overwhelmed by the pain and suffering that I doubt and feel unfaithful to You. Breathe grace into my heart. Help me to remember that when I am faithless, You are always faithful because You cannot deny Yourself. In Jesus' name, amen.
6. This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for He faced all of the same testings we do, yet He did not sin. - Hebrews 4:15 NLT
Father, my past suffering causes me to be afraid in the present. Then I allow my feelings to travel to the path of panic and the dungeon of anxiety. Forgive me, Lord. Help me by faith to believe that You sympathize with my weaknesses and have well-timed help for me 24/7. In Jesus' name, Amen.
7. Don't be afraid, for I am with you. Don't be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with My victorious right hand. - Isaiah 41:10 NLT
Lord, I know You see the pain I'm in. I know You love me, and You care about me. I pray that You will bring healing to the areas of my life where I struggle. Help me not to be afraid because You are with me. Teach me how to not be discouraged, for You are my God. I ask that You strengthen and help me. I pray that You will hold me up with Your victorious right hand.
8. What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God's love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God's love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. - Romans 8:31,38-39 NLT
Father, my pain and despair make me think confusing thoughts about You. I even feel like You are against me when I combine the physical, emotional, and relational heartache I am feeling. Help me to live by faith in Your Word and remember You are for me and that
