There are times in life when loss or painful experiences are one of the twists and turns life throws our way. It can make eating, sleeping, and a normal routine almost impossible. It is at times like this when we need our Father in Heaven more than ever. It is also at times like this when we might have as much trouble praying as we do trying to maintain our normal.
Prayer while grieving is not easy.
God knows your pain. He knows what has caused it and He knows how to help you through it. He is always there, always ready to help.
He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. Psalms 147:3
When we lost our son I thought I would never be able to pray again. I couldn't even think straight. Holding a conversation with the person in front of me was hard enough, but prayer seemed impossible. I would begin but before I realized it, I would find myself sitting in silence. It was as if I had gone before the Creator of the universe, sat down at the feet of His throne, and decided not to speak to Him. At first I felt guilty. I felt as if I shouldn't try to pray at all if I was just going to sit there in silence.
Within a few days my thoughts changed. I realized He was my God, my Father, my Creator, and He loved me more than I could even wrap my mind around. He knew my pain and understood my inability to pray.
There were days when I could pray a sentence or two, I would ask Him to help me, to take the pain away, to heal my heart, but there were days when I could not put my thoughts into words. So, God and I sat there together in silence. I sat within His presence, allowing Him to wrap me in His comfort, His love, and His understanding.
Prayer is a time for you and God to connect. When you are in pain that connection is needed more than ever. Ask Him to help you, to heal you, to just be there with you and to help you come out the other side of your pain. Even if doing so requires a lot of quiet time between the two of you.
Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.  Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. Romans 8:26-28
There were times when I thought I would never laugh again, but I did. The painful experiences of life can be difficult, but joy does come. There will be more celebrations with family and friends. There will be times to cherish and the journey will continue.
Cherish those times with family and friends. Create new memories and new traditions. Laugh, smile, hug, and love one another. It is all about allowing the heart to heal even if the scars are left behind.
If you enjoy the articles on this blog, please leave a comment or share with those who might also benefit. Subscribe to receive articles from this blog through email.