What to pray when you’re sad
“Now my heart is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name!” Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it and will glorify it again.” (John 12:27-28)
Oh, God,
I’m really sad.
I feel overwhelmed.
It’s not any one thing–
I just feel a heavy weight of so many concerns, fears, and disappointments.
I feel lost.
Although you always knew your purpose on earth,
and you always knew how things would end,
you were sad, too.
Maybe the knowing is worse than the not-knowing?
You knew the enormity of your calling.
But what if I’m not sure of mine?
What if I’ve gotten off track?
What if I’ve ruined everything?
Please take my sadness away–
I’ll try to give it to you.
I know you can transform it into something beautiful and worthy,
something life-giving.
Hear me, Lord.
Wipe my tears.
Hold my heart.
Wrap me in your comforting arms.
I know that sadness is fleeting–
it’s a natural result of a fallen world–
but joy comes through the Spirit of God.
When you were sad, you turned to your Father.
And so, I turn to you.
In your holy name Jesus,
Amen.
“Hear my prayer, O Lord, listen to my cry for help; be not deaf to my weeping.” (Psalm 39:12)
“The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them.” (Psalm 145:18-19)
“When I called, you answered me; you made me bold and stouthearted.” (Psalm 138:3)
“God has surely listened and heard my voice in prayer. Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld his love from me!” (Psalm 66:19-20)
“But I call to God, and the Lord saves me. Evening, morning, and noon I cry out in distress, and he hears my voice….Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall.” (Psalm 55:16-17, 22)
Some blogs about sadness and joy:
How to embrace change you don’t really want
