A Prayer about Peace for Troubled Hearts

by | Feb 1, 2022 | Daily Prayer, Suffering

A Prayer about Peace for Troubled Hearts

Lord Jesus,

Thank you for this profound promise 

for troubled hearts:

You leave us peace, your peace, 

which in the Bible refers to something way better 

than a day without car, or credit trouble.  

Your peace is “shalom,” 

a state of flourishing, 

wholeness, 

and harmony.

When our hearts are troubled—

aching because of good hopes dashed again and again and again, 

miserable because we have harmed one we love through our sin, 

agonized because we have suffered yet another setback in our recovery, 

you give us your peace, your rest, your hope, your wholeness. 

It is not the peace the world gives, 

it is the peace of the cross, 

for you spoke these words 

just before you died on a cross for us. 

It is the peace of restoration, 

for you died on that cross 

so that we who believe might be restored 

as children of the Father. 

It is the peace of the wholeness 

we will one day know 

in heart and mind and body and soul 

when you come again 

to bring the new heavens and the new earth. 

Because of your peace, 

we have every reason 

to obey your command:

“Let not your hearts be troubled; 

neither let them be afraid” (John 14:27).

In your peace-bringing name. Amen.

Read John 14:1-30. 

A Prayer about Feeling Overwhelmed by Our Sin

by | Jan 26, 2022 | Daily Prayer, Suffering

A Prayer about Feeling Overwhelmed by Our Sin

Rescuing Lord,

We turn to you again, waiting, waiting, waiting 

for you to turn to us and hear our cry. 

We know you will, 

for you have before, 

sending your Son, 

your very own Son, 

to yank us out of the miry bog 

of the messes of our own making, 

the sin we commit and the consequences we suffer. 

Dane Ortlund points out that “self-despair” 

is a good place to begin to know the depth of your love*, 

so please, even as our many sins lead us to despair, 

may we know even more 

how all-encompassing and all-consuming 

is your love. 

Indeed, as David prays, 

“you will not restrain your mercy from me; 

your steadfast love and your faithfulness 

will ever preserve [us]” (Psalm 40:11). 

We believe; help our unbelief (Mark 9:24). 

Even now, may we believe 

the truth we affirm from your word, 

“We are poor and needy, but [you] take thought for [us].

You are [our] help and [our] deliverer;

Do not delay, O [our] God!” 

In Jesus’ redeeming name. Amen.

Read Psalm 40. 

From Dane Ortlund’s Deeper, p. 47: “The Bible teaches, rather, that each experience of despair is to melt us afresh into deeper fellowship with Jesus.”

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A Prayer about Caring for the Mentally Ill

by | Jan 21, 2022 | Caregiving, Daily Prayer, Suffering

A Prayer about Caring for the Mentally Ill

Comforting Father,

We lift up all who are affected by mental illness. 

Sadly, because of our ignorance about mental illness, 

many of the mentally ill suffer “secondary wounds.” 

Both the afflicted and their families have suffered

quick-fix by faith cures, 

condemnation of behavior, 

or exile from the body. 

As we look to our Lord Jesus, 

who came alongside the mentally afflicted 

and often healed but always cared, 

make us more like him. 

Help us to be sensitive, 

to consider the context of suffering, 

to listen well, 

to remember the hope we have to offer—

the incarnate, resurrected, and ascended Christ 

will one day come again 

to redeem and restore all broken bodies. 

How we ache for that day.

In Christ’s restoring name. Amen. 

Read 1 Peter 5:10; Matthew 11:28-30; Matthew 4:24; Romans 15:13. 

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A Prayer about Waiting Patiently on the Lord

by | Jan 18, 2022 | Daily Prayer, Suffering

A Prayer about Waiting Patiently on the Lord

Most merciful Lord,

How glad we are 

that you hear our cries.

Many are moaning in these days, 

weary of racism, 

weary of riots, 

weary of ravaging disease. 

How glad we are 

that you lean toward us 

and respond to our pain. 

You sent your Son Jesus 

to come near to us 

in our misery.

In him, you “drew [us] up 

from the pit of destruction, 

out of the miry bog,” 

you “set [our] feet upon a rock, 

making [our] steps secure” (Psalm 40:2).

Thank you for this new song of hope

you have given us to sing.

May we sing your praise, 

and may others hear 

and put their trust in you (Psalm 40:3).

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A Prayer about the God Who Hears Our Cries

by | Jan 10, 2022 | Daily Prayer, Suffering

A Prayer about the God Who Hears Our Cries

Rescuing Lord, 

As we continue praying through Psalm 34, 

we see even more reasons to bless your name “at all times” 

as we prayed about yesterday: 

We were sprawled out on the sofa, 

choking on sobs 

of grief, of regret, 

of disappointment, of frustration, 

and you heard us. 

You heard us. 

And when you hear, you respond: 

you “saved [us] out of all of [our] troubles” (Psalm 34:6). 

Not some of our troubles. 

All of our troubles. 

You send your angel to “encamp” around us. 

We shouldn’t picture a chubby blond cherub 

or a pale-faced long-haired lady  

when we think angel. 

We should picture warrior of light, 

powerful, fearsome, 

mighty, messenger. 

And though Psalm 34 just mentions one angel, 

we should probably picture a whole army of angels 

setting up this camp around us 

to protect us, to deliver us. 

Yes, indeed, we do “taste and see that you are good!” 

And we do proclaim with David, 

“Blessed is the man [or woman] who takes refuge in you” (Psalm 34:8).

In Jesus’ delivering name we pray. Amen.

Read Psalm 34:6-7; Matthew 28:2; Hebrews 13: 2; Daniel 10. 

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A Prayer about the Day of No More Tears

by | Jan 8, 2022 | Daily Prayer, Suffering

A Prayer about the Day of No More Tears

Healing Lord,

As our family gathers today, 

almost a year after my mom’s death, 

to mourn her passing and remember her life, 

I am camping out in the hope 

of the Day to come 

when there will be no more death, 

nor mourning, nor crying, 

nor pain. 

In these remarkable final chapters of your Word, 

you give us a glimpse of what that day will be like:

We will live in safety and our identity secure in you,

because you will dwell with us (Revelation 21:3).

We will see Jesus face to face, 

and his name will be engraved on our forehead (Revelation 22:4).

We will drink for free and freely 

from the river of the water of life, 

and we will dine lavishly

 on the fruit of the tree of life (Revelation 21:6; 22:1).

We will marvel at your majesty, 

and we will long to serve you and no other (Revelation 22:3).

We will enjoy peaceful community 

of people from every tribe and tongue and nation (Revelation 21:4; 22:2).

There’s more, so much more, 

to that day 

which will last forever. 

We believe your promise, 

“Surely, I am coming soon,” 

and we cry in response, 

“Come, Lord Jesus.”

In your hope-giving name. Amen.

Read Revelation 21-22. 

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