fbpx

A Prayer about Hope in a Dark World

A Prayer about Hope in a Dark World

He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. Colossians 1:13-14

Father, 

I confess, 

sometimes the darkness of this world 

seems all-encompassing. 

The depressing news, 

the bent toward meanness, 

the joy in judginess

…I see it everywhere—

in my own heart and in the hearts of others. 

What good news it is to remember then, 

that we who are in Christ

no longer live in the “domain of darkness.” 

You have transferred us and transformed us. 

Now we have a rich inheritance: 

“the inheritance of the saints in the light” (Colossians 1:12). 

Now we are freed from the tyrant Satan 

to serve you, our redeeming and forgiving King. 

Now our primary language is “thanksgiving” 

and our primary work is “endurance and patience and joy” (Colossians 1:11). 

Now we have been “strengthened with all power, 

according to his glorious might” (Colossians 1:11).

to live as citizens of the kingdom of the beloved Son.

So very gratefully we pray. Amen. 

Read Colossians 1:9-14.

A Prayer about Understanding Sickness and Healing

A Prayer about Understanding Sickness and Healing

‘Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind? John 9:2

Healing Lord, 

Thank you for the compassion 

you show the sick and those who need healing. 

Correct wrong assumptions about sickness and healing. 

Sadly, too many of us have been told 

that if we just had enough faith, 

or that if we got rid of the sin in our lives, 

we or our loved ones would be healed. 

You spoke directly to this harmful assumption, 

when you corrected your disciples,

 saying, “It was not that this man sinned, 

or his parents, 

but that the works of God 

might be displayed in him” (John 9:3). 

May we remember that you did not choose 

to heal all of the sick and lame 

on this earth, 

only some. 

In the case of the apostle Paul, 

he prayed three times 

that the thorn in his flesh would be removed, 

but you responded, 

“My grace is sufficient for you, 

for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9). 

Lord, help us to trust you with our broken bodies, 

whether you choose to heal now, 

later, 

or in eternity. 

How we look forward to the day you return, 

for then you will truly heal and restore 

our broken bodies forever. 

Amen. 

Read John 9:1-41; 2 Corinthians 12:7-10.

A Prayer about the Pain of Living in a Fallen World

A Prayer about the Pain of Living in a Fallen World

For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. Romans 8:21

Compassionate Father,

We who live in Western culture are keenly aware 

that we don’t suffer the way people in other cultures do—

we don’t have to search for healthy drinking water, 

we are rarely persecuted for our faith, 

our children have access to good health care.

And yet, that does not change the reality 

of the pain of living in a fallen world. 

Your Word is clear— 

creation has been groaning ever since the fall, 

“subjected to futility” (Rom. 8: 20). 

Daily, we fight futility—

we answer all the emails but soon find the inbox full again, 

we do all the laundry, but soon the baskets overflow again,

the children heal from one virus only to get a new one two weeks later. 

Though these are the “trivial” pains we suffer, 

they capture something of the futility 

we will always experience until Jesus comes again.  

Far less trivial are the pain and grief and sin and struggle 

that pervade our world. 

Your Word is clear—

none of us will escape suffering. 

Betrayal in relationships, 

bodies breaking down, 

abusive parents battering hearts…

These are the painful realities of living in a fallen world. 

And yet there may be hope. 

Your Word promises 

that through the everyday futility 

and the deeper anguish of life in a fallen world, 

you are healing and redeeming. 

We who are united to Christ 

are united to him in his sufferings, 

and in suffering with him, 

we will “also be glorified with him” (Rom. 8:17). 

We who suffer now will not always suffer: 

“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time 

are not worth comparing with the glory 

that is to be revealed in us” (Rom. 8:18). 

Dear Father, may we draw near to you 

in the pain of living in a fallen world, 

trusting that you are writing your redemption story, 

and that one day, you will finish your restoration work. 

Romans 8:12-25.

A Prayer of Lament for Those Who Die Young

A Prayer of Lament for Those Who Die Young

He who testifies to these things says, ‘Surely I am coming soon. Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!’ Revelation 22:20

 Merciful God,

We believe you to be merciful; 

help our unbelief.

We admit, 

we struggle to understand 

why you would take young people home 

when it seems to us 

they have so many more days 

to bear fruit here on this earth. 

Why, Lord? 

Why do you take children, 

a little girl who just professed her faith in you, 

a young man who just shared his testimony to his entire football team, 

a young woman who sang her love for you 

to all who would listen? 

We can’t understand. 

We hurt with the loss of young ones 

precious to us, 

precious to their friends, 

precious to their parents. 

We know. 

We know we are but dust. 

We know we are frail and fragile 

from the day you bring us into this world. 

And at some level, we remember that we were made for more. 

We were made for a life that will never end. 

We were made for eternal glory, 

to live with you in a home 

where there will be 

no more death, 

no more pain, 

no more sorrow, 

no more mourning. 

We know this. 

In these hard days of grief, 

open our eyes to see the day which you, 

dear Lord Jesus, 

promise is coming soon. 

The day when we will be gathered together 

with all those we have lost, 

infants and children and young adults 

and the very very old. 

In that day, 

we will see. 

In that day, we may not know “why” 

you took our loved one before we were ready, 

but we will see your face, 

and we will know beyond a shadow of a doubt 

your goodness, 

your mercy, 

your love, 

your kindness, 

and most of all, 

your joy. 

Until that day comes, 

fill our hearts with this eternal hope, 

because of the death and resurrection 

of Christ your beloved Son. 

In his compassionate name we pray. Amen. 

Read Matthew 26:36-46; Revelation 21:1-5; Revelation 22:20-21.

A Prayer about Caring for the Mentally Ill

A Prayer about Caring for the Mentally Ill

And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 1 Peter 5:10

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. 

A Prayer about Not Panicking

A Prayer about Not Panicking

Don’t panic. I’m with you. There’s no need to fear for I’m your God. I’ll give you strength. I’ll help you. I’ll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you. Isaiah 41:10

Strong-gripped Father,

Thank you for holding us firmly 

when we’re frightened.

I’ve been re-listening to Prince Caspian, 

and I love the scene where Aslan says to Susan, 

“You’ve been listening to your fears again. 

Come here, let me breathe on you.”

Boy do we know that feeling of listening 

to our fears. 

When we listen to our fears,

we might get grumpy and mean like Susan was to Lucy. 

When we listen to our fears, 

we will struggle to see you in all of your might and majesty, 

just as Susan couldn’t see Aslan 

when Lucy insisted Aslan was there. 

When we listen to our fears, 

we might tremble and shake in panic. 

And yet, all along, 

you are holding us and helping us, 

keeping us steady and sure. 

Today, whether we fear 

abandonment of a friend 

or anger of a boss 

or abuse of a spouse, 

may we turn to you and trust in you 

and find you to be our unshakeable comfort and guide. 

In Jesus’ strong name. Amen.

Read Isaiah 41:10; Isaiah 43:1-7.