A Prayer for the Suffering

Lord God Almighty, I thank You again for another week. Another day, another hour. You alone give life and breath and I’m grateful. I thank You that I can approach Your throne of grace and receive mercy in my time of need. Your ways are higher than mine. Your thoughts, greater. You are God alone, the author of all living things, big and small.

God, thank You for who You are. Powerful. Just. King of glory. Holy One. The first and last, the one true God. Jesus, my Lord and savior, my hope and healer, my redeemer. I praise You alone today. I look to You alone for my significance. I find my purpose in You.

Lord, today I lift up the needs of those who are suffering. There are so many people in need of Your tender touch and Your sweet whisper.

I’m hurting for those in the massive earthquake and tsunami today. Please bring rescue and relief quickly. Send doctors and nurses, send workers and supplies. send Your people.

I’m reminded of the elderly who are suffering alone in assisted living homes. Fill their empty rooms with Your presence and the peace that passes all understanding.

I’m reminded of those who have terminal illnesses and are receiving hospice care. Some are terrified of death. Some feel hopeless for they do not know You. They have no hope for heaven. Please God, shower them with the truth and invite them into Your family, even in the last breath. You are able.

I’m mindful of friends who have lost precious loved ones and are lonely, in need of Your comfort and companionship. Be their best friend when they need You most.

I’m aware of those who struggle with daily life because of pain. Be their healer. Be the God of all comfort, please Lord.

Your Word says You know all people. Every person is Your idea. Every trial is filtering through Your hand of grace. We can’t see what You see. We don’t understand why You allow such pain. We only see in part, You see in full. You know the rest of the story. In Christ, there is no end. We are forever Yours. Alive for all eternity.

Today we are just passing through. We are not home yet. Today we cling to the hope of heaven. We look forward to the day when we see You face to face. To the day when we bow and worship You in all Your glory. Oh yes, that is where I look when life is overwhelming. To You, I fix my eyes on the unseen. I remember amazing awaits.

Your Word says Jesus, You wept. You suffered. You understand what suffering is all about.

Romans 8:17 says as Your children, we share in suffering: “Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.”

Your plan even in suffering is somehow good. As hard as that truth is I believe it’s true. You bring beauty out of sorrow. You heal the broken places of our hearts when we cry out to You. Your love fills our emptiness. There is nowhere those who are suffering can go where You are not still there. You remain when everything and everyone disappear.

You are it!

You, Lord, You are the One we worship. We love You. We adore You.

Please Jesus, give us strength to see You in our suffering today. Give us an eternal perspective. We are not home yet. We are just passing through. Life here is just a mist. Woo us into the depths of Your love. Overwhelm us with joy, songs of deliverance. We praise You. You alone satisfy us.

In Your beautiful and holy name, Amen.