Gracious Heavenly Father, You hear my soul crushing prayers; and in time, if I continue to go to You, lay them out, share my most inmost thoughts—even some I don’t even realize I have—You bring me peace.
This is not an easy or comfortable thing to do. It’s uncomfortable and daunting to go there … to that place of my deepest need, to admit what’s behind it, to even recognize that it’s there. The thought of dealing with it scares me. I don’t want to put in the time and energy.
But my need is there, quietly simmering.
See, that’s the thing … this is why Jesus came. You came to show me that You care. You not only want to forgive my sins, You want to fill in those deep, dark holes; my hurts, my secret struggles, all my needs. You want me to live in shalom.
You entered chaos, a broken world, not only to save us from our daily “sins,” but from original “Sin” that broke the world—that let in death, disease, selfishness, self-aggrandizement, the insatiable need to control, discord, envy, arrogance, fear and all that ails us; that causes pain, suffering, struggle, divide and hurt.
You went to the cross for my daily “sin,” and for humanity’s original “Sin”—to heal me once and for all from the brokenness that I experience. Though I won’t fully experience shalom in my earthly body, I can experience Your comfort and love in my suffering, my struggles, and hurt. Not only do You see me, You are with me in them. The Holy Spirit holds me close. If I open my spiritual eyes, I can see You holding me, crying with me and walking me to peace.
It’s a process, but a beautiful one if I let You in; if I admit that I have struggle; if I admit that I have needs; if I’m brave enough to take the first few steps with You.
It begins with laying out what ails me, bearing my soul to You.
You are safe, You keep me secure. You know me completely; there is nothing to hide. I pray to trust You enough to go to You to lay it all out—to leave no struggle, no pain, no fear, no broken relationship, no hurt, no sin that I think is unredeemable, nothing that shackles my mind, body or soul behind. You will meet me there with open arms; quietly and gently, ready to do the work of healing me.
In the Unceasingly Loving Name of Jesus, I pray.
Amen
