There are moments where my heart feels so burdened. I open my mouth to speak, yet nothing comes out. The Spirit prays for me in groans, tongues, and tears and thank God for this. But sometimes even this doesn’t bring my heart peace. I can’t describe the feeling and weight. But all I do know is that I have to let something out.
Then, I turn to His living Word and there it is. Right in front of me is everything I want to speak out loud but fall short of the words to say. There, written in His Holy book are my feelings laid out and His truth spoken over me.
He helps me and guides me through the pages of my Bible and allows me to speak the Words back to Him. Then it becomes more than just words on paper. It becomes a prayer — a solemn request for help.
I wrote this prayer out with the help of the Holy Spirit and the scripture in Lamentations chapter three. It’s vulnerable. But I felt it worthy to share in hopes that if you’re ever in a state of burden like I was, you will find strength and prayer through His Word.
Prayer from a Broken Heart
Lord, I have felt Your anger and I have felt the affliction that comes from it. Lord, You led me into darkness. I couldn’t see Your light. I tried hard to see at least a hint of it, but again and again You turned against me. I’ve grown older now. And through the years I have been surrounded by anguish. My soul could barely handle the distress of my heart.
You buried me in a dark place. I thought I should have died. You bound me with heavy chains and barred me in a tight space. I couldn’t escape. And I grew tired of trying.
I cried out to You Lord for help.
I shouted my prayers.
But You shut me out.
You blocked the way to my desires and my road looked crooked before me. I walked along this crooked path thinking that lions or bears would come and devour me.
Lord, You took Your bow and shot Your arrows deep into my heart. I was shattered to pieces.
My own family and friends could not comfort me. I was made to be a fool that was mocked at. You filled me with bitterness and I drank a cup of sorrow.
Peace left me. I was in such turmoil. I didn’t think I would ever prosper.
I cried out to You Lord. But You shut me out.
Everything I had ever hoped for from You Lord is gone. I will never forget this grief and suffering. I will never forget the day I lost the one I loved. I will never forget how his eyes wandered away and his heart soon followed. I grieve over all I lost. There is a lesson You are teaching me.
I cried out to You Lord for help. But You shut me out.
Can I dare to hope again?
Yes. Yes I will my Lord.
Especially when I remember this truth: Lord, Your faithful love endures forever. Your mercy never ceases. You are faithful. Each morning that I wake You show mercy on me.
Lord, I will keep saying to myself Your house is my inheritance therefore I will put my hope in You. I depend on You Lord.
You are good. Even through my grief. You are good.
I will wait patiently for You my Lord. You are my salvation. I submitted to Your discipline and listened to Your demands. I laid face down before You and You spoke of things to come. You put hope back in my being and I began to see Your light again.
I turned the other cheek and I let my enemies insult me. But You my Lord, You did not abandon me. You did hear my cries and when I stopped screaming You spoke.
The gentle voice of Your love comforted me. You did not abandon me forever. Though You grieved with me, You also showed me compassion. Your love is unfailing. You took no pleasure in my sorrow.
Lord, who am I to question You? I will not defy You. I will not deprive You of praise. I am Your lowly servant.
I turn to you Lord. I won’t turn away. You have washed away my sin and forgave me. You helped me to forgive others. You allowed me to forgive myself.
You will always hear my cries for help. Your rescue will be swift! You tell me not to be afraid.
You came and held me in a deep embrace and whispered, “everything you will ever need is all that I AM.”
Lord, I lay my requests at Your feet. May those who have hurt me be blessed beyond measure. May they have all the fullness of joy and live a life of prosperity. May Your hand of protection be on them. May their children inherit all that is good from You. May love be tangible in their lives. May they lack nothing. May they live long and fruitful lives.
As for me my King, I am Your lowly servant. You’ve given me grace, love, mercy, and peace. Can I ask one more thing of You who gives abundantly? Lord, may I dwell in Your presence forever.
It is in Your precious Name Jesus that I pray,
Amen.
