Pain

We have all felt the painful sting of anger, anxiety, disappointment, sadness or shame in our hearts when people attack, betray or hurt us. Thankfully, we can go to God with our pains and wounds. He is a tender loving Father who will care for our every need and heal us. How can we pray to release our grievances to God?

(See Chinese versions: 简体中文 > 痛苦 | 繁體中文 > 痛苦)

Psalm 34:17-18 NLT   The Lord hears his people when they call to him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.

A prayer to bring our pain to God

“Dear Heavenly Father,

I confess I am hurt, grieved and upset by what (name the person/s) has done. Thank you that when I was attacked, You were by my side and witnessed everything that happened. Nothing escapes Your notice.

Hebrews 4:13 ESV  And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

Thank you for Your promise that everyone will have to answer to You on Judgment Day. I do not need to take revenge and can trust that You are in control of everything. Your fierce justice is far greater than my pain. I rest in the knowledge that I am weak and You are strong. So I choose to leave this matter in Your hands.

2 Corinthians 5:10 ESV  For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.

Romans 12:19 NIV  Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.

I cannot see how things will turn out and this makes me anxious. Please help me remember that You have a higher purpose for all that has happened. In the meantime, may my faith and endurance be tested and proven to be pleasing to You, even if it takes years before I see Your perfect purpose revealed.

James 1:12 ESV  Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.

Thank you, Heavenly Father, that I can pour out all of my grievances to You and You will never reject or forsake me. I pour out my hurts and pains before You with loud cries. 

I praise You that You are faithful and that Your love is perfect. I welcome Your Spirit to restore and strengthen mine. Please fill me with Your peace and revive my soul. 

1 Peter 5:10 ESV  And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.

I know it is within my power to choose how I respond to this. I choose to reflect Jesus’ message of love to this broken world around me. I will not spread more sin, because of the sins that have been committed against me. With open hands, I will obey You and release forgiveness to (name of offender/s) and ask that You please bless him/her.

Romans 12:14,17 NLT  Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them. Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable.

 I choose to be free from the guilt of other people’s sins so that I can be cleansed and set apart for Your higher and greater work on earth.

2 Timothy 2:21 ESV  Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.

Lord, please give me wisdom, courage and strength to do what is right, honourable and godly. I want to be a living sacrifice that pleases You with all my thoughts and actions. Let me a vessel of Your love and grace, so that people will see that Jesus really did come to earth 2,000 years ago and that Your Holy Spirit lives in me today. May more people will be convicted of their need for You too.

Romans 12:1 ESV  I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.

May You alone be glorified through my life.

In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen!“