A Prayer for Comfort When Your Heart is Hurting
By Keri Eichberger
“The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” - Psalm 34:18
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted, right? That’s what the Bible says. Well then, why didn’t I feel his closeness? I mean, I know from years of a nurtured, growing faith that he is indeed always near, but my heart was still hurting. So much each morning recently, in fact, that I had a hard time truly connecting deeply with God in my quiet time. I was weathering a weighed-down season that was lasting longer than what seemed usual. I started to wonder if the depression I had long since experienced was on the brink of return. And that thought in itself pushed me further into the pit. I was desperate for comfort. I knew God was the provider of it, and I was feeling brief relief here and there, but the ache kept pressing in.
- Does your heart hurt today? Have you recently found yourself dealing with difficulties that lay heavier than normal on your soul? Of course, you’ve known this feeling. Life is hard and heavy and so often hurts.
- Do you have a schedule so full you feel crushed with overwhelm just taking a peek at it?
- Do you have so many concerns for your kids, a family member, or a spouse’s well-being that you feel defeated by helplessness?
- Do you fear the future because something right in front of you seems uncertain, unreliable, and unstable?
Or maybe, like me, there is all of that and so much more. You feel so much. Weighed down by so incredibly much. And the wild tangle has turned into a tornado of emotional turmoil that has left you discouraged at best, and borderline depressed. I feel you. And I’m so sorry. Yes, life is so hard.
But it’s in these hard places I want to encourage you to keep seeking comfort from the Lord. Because he is close. And he is the Lord who saves. The end of Psalm 34:18 says that he saves the crushed in spirit. So keep seeking him in and through your hurt. It’s really all I know to do in my valleys. Though it may not always seem it, I know he sees me. I know he sees you. Even if just a touch, we will find hints of comfort each time we reach out. I hope you’ll remember that today.
Remember that he is close, always. And little by little, you will be consoled and comforted. You will see him saving you. By the grace of God, I made it out again. I remember recently wondering if he’d ever save me from my sad self. But he was. And he did. He was working all along. Sitting beside me, allowing me to lean more and more on him. And he will do the same for you. Just keep seeking him. He is near you now. He will stay with you all the way through what is hurting your heart. And in due time, he will most certainly redeem your struggle and save your crushed spirit.
Let’s pray:
Lord Jesus, My heart hurts. And no surprise to you. You warned us of trials and troubles in this life. But you are always near. Especially close to our brokenhearted seasons. Thank you so much for your compassion. Thank you so much for your comfort. Lord, I desperately want to feel your soothing presence. I long for relief in your almighty strength and power. Help me be aware of you. Help me experience you and your overwhelming embrace of extravagant, all-encompassing love. I long for the day of perfection in eternity, where my tears will be no more. But until that day, you have promised, I will continue to lean on you and to seek you. Knowing you will continue to comfort me and save me. And knowing that you have such wonderfully good plans for me. In your name, Jesus, I pray, Amen.
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