A Valuable Prayer We Need in Pain and Suffering

Pain and suffering can shape our character, but they do not define us—God’s love defines us. God strengthens us when we are weak, gives us rest when we are weary, comforts us in our grief, and walks with us through every pain-filled valley, comforting our hearts with His Presence.

Strength in Weakness

When we are weak, He is strong. God’s grace is sufficient, and His power is made perfect in our weakness. We can trust Him to help us in our time of need, pain, or trial.

“He gives strength to the weary, and to him who lacks might He increases power. Though youths grow weary and tired, and vigorous young men stumble badly, yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary.” ~Isaiah 40:29-31 NASB

“Do not fear, for I am with you; do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” ~Isaiah 41:10 NASB

Rest for Weariness

Weariness comes from everyday experiences. Whether our lives are normal or we are enduring intense crises of pain, we become tired and weary—physically, mentally, and emotionally. Yet, God says that when we come to Him, He will exchange our weariness for His rest. We can choose and cultivate rest in our lives.

“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” ~Matthew 11:28-29 NASB

“For thus the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, has said, ‘In repentance and rest you will be saved, in quietness and trust is your strength.’” ~Isaiah 30:15a NASB

“There remains therefore a Sabbath rest for the people of God. For he who has entered into his rest has himself also rested from his works, as God did from His. Let’s therefore give diligence to enter into that rest.” ~Hebrews 4:9-11a WEB

Comfort in Grief

Grief can be gut-wrenching, heartbreaking, and spirit-crushing. We need the Lord to comfort our souls, heal our spirits, and carry us through the valley of the shadow of death, pain, and suffering.

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me. Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” ~Psalm 23:4 WEB

“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” ~Psalm 34:18 NASB

“He heals the broken in heart, and binds up their wounds.” ~Psalm 147:3 WEB

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” ~Matthew 5:4 WEB

His Promised Presence

The Lord promises never to leave us. And He promises that if we trust in Him, He will guide us, deliver us from fear, and give us His peace.

“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.” ~John 14:27 NASB

“Trust in and rely confidently on the Lord with all your heart and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. In all your ways know and acknowledge and recognize Him, and He will make your paths straight and smooth [removing obstacles that block your way].” ~Proverbs 3:5-6 AMP

As Believers, we can find peace, comfort, and strength in knowing God is always with us, guiding us through all of life’s challenges, pains, and sufferings.

“The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him sincerely and in truth.” ~Psalm 145:18 AMPC

“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned, and the flame will not scorch you.” ~Isaiah 43:2 WEB

“Do not fear [anything], for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, be assured I will help you; I will certainly take hold of you with My righteous right hand [a hand of justice, of power, of victory, of salvation].” ~Isaiah 41:10 AMP

The Holy God promises to dwell with us, revive our spirits, and hearts. He will literally sustain us. No pain and no suffering is greater than His love and His ability to minister to us.

“For thus says the high and exalted One Who lives forever, whose name is Holy, ‘I dwell on a high and holy place, and also with the contrite and lowly of spirit in order to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite.” ~Isaiah 57:15 NASB

“Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” ~Matthew 28:20b WEB

“Let your character or moral disposition be free from love of money [including greed, lust, and craving for earthly possessions] and be satisfied with your present [circumstances and with what you have]; for He [God] Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. [I will] not, [I will not], [I will] not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let [you] down (relax My hold on you)! [Assuredly not!]” ~Hebrews 13:5 AMPC

Let us cultivate hope in our hearts, knowing the Lord is Faithful and He is always with us. Let us be intentional in our daily lives to draw near to Him, knowing that He is trustworthy to respond to our every heart cry.

Prayer

O Lord, You are near to the brokenhearted and You save all who are crushed in spirit. You, O Lord, heal our broken hearts and bind our pain and wounds. You comfort us with Your Presence.¹

O Lord, You have commanded us to be strong, vigorous, and very courageous. You say not to be afraid, or be dismayed, for You, O Lord, are with us wherever we go. Where can we go from Your Spirit? Or where can we flee from Your presence? If we ascend to heaven, You are there; if we make our bed in Sheol, behold, You are there. If we say, ‘Surely the darkness will overwhelm us, and the light around us will be night,’ even the darkness is not dark to You, and the night is as bright as the day. Darkness and light are alike to You.²

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget none of His benefits. For You, O Lord, are in our midst, a victorious warrior. You will exult over us with joy, You will be quiet in Your love, You will rejoice over us with shouts of joy.³

For we are convinced [and continued to be convinced – beyond any doubt] that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present and threatening, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the [unlimited] love of God, which is in  Christ Jesus our Lord.⁴

O Lord, we know faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. And because we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance, we eagerly await Your Presence, Your deliverance, Your binding and healing of our pain. We love You and we honor You for who You are. Amen.⁵

Recommendations

Prayer for the Two Greatest Commandments – Strength with Dignity

Daniel: A Man of Prayer – Strength with Dignity

References

¹ Psalm 34:18 NASB; Psalm 147:3

² Joshua 1:9 AMPC; Psalm 139:7-8, 11-12 NASB

³ Psalm 103:2 NASB; Zephaniah 3:17 NASB

⁴ Romans 8:38-39 AMP

⁵ Hebrews 11:1 NASB; Romans 8:25 NASB

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