{"id":51906,"date":"2020-04-30T02:04:20","date_gmt":"2020-04-30T07:04:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sites-stage.josh.org\/main\/?p=51906"},"modified":"2025-08-06T12:43:31","modified_gmt":"2025-08-06T17:43:31","slug":"how-to-pray-during-pain","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sites-stage.josh.org\/main\/how-to-pray-during-pain\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Pray With God in our Pain"},"content":{"rendered":"
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It may seem odd to talk about pain in the modern Christian life. If you were to examine today’s preaching and worship music, you’d likely get the sense that the Christian life is supposed to be a perpetual state of happiness, or that happiness can be gained in five simple steps.\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Yet many believers are stuck in a perpetual state of pain. Perhaps that pain is loneliness, depression, anxiety, or a combination of these hurts. How should we understand these struggles, and how do we pray with God in the midst of pain<\/a>?<\/span><\/p>\n

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Bridging the Gap blog #hurthealedwhole<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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What Happened to Lament?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

I want to be clear that the <\/span>primary<\/span><\/i> mode of existence for the Christian life ought to be one of joy, not the pain of a fallen world. <\/span>
\nThe subject of joy is all over Scripture, and it is presented as a blessing that God graciously gives to believers (Luke 1:14<\/a>, John 15:11<\/a>, Nehemiah 8:10<\/a>, Psalm 16:11<\/a>, 1 Peter 1:8<\/a>, Philippians 4:4<\/a>). Joy characterized the early Christians (Acts 8:7-8<\/a>, Acts 16:34<\/a>), even in periods of persecution or hardship (Acts 5:41<\/a>, Romans 5:3<\/a>, James 1:2<\/a>). Joy is considered a fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22<\/a>).\u00a0<\/span>
\nThe problem is when we have that nagging feeling that we should be happy all the time, or something is wrong with us<\/em>.<\/span>
\nHere’s the thing: The Bible recognizes that there is pain in the Christian life. When we read the Psalms, we see both prayers of praise <\/span>and<\/span><\/i> lament. In fact, the prayers of lament comprise the largest section of the Psalms! If you want to learn how to pray<\/a> with God in your pain, try praying some of the laments. Examples include Psalms 22<\/a>, 39<\/a>, 59<\/a>, 74<\/a>, and 109<\/a>.<\/span>
\nTake note: You will struggle praying the laments, if you think you must present a cleaned-up version of yourself to God lest you offend Him. The prayers of the lament Psalms do not reflect this. The psalmist is giving himself in prayer<\/a> to God; not a happy fake avatar of himself. He is expressing his honest feelings. He is being real.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Asking the Right Questions in Our Pain<\/strong><\/h2>\n

When we experience pain in life, sometimes we just need to talk it out with someone. Many of us already do this with other people, as we should. But God is also available. Prayer<\/a> is not a one-way conversation, but a dynamic engagement with the God who speaks. <\/span>
\nConsider Psalm 139:23-24: <\/span>“Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts, See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”<\/span><\/i> The psalmist is asking God to run a diagnostic on his heart and direct his way accordingly. <\/span>
\nIn light of this, we may find it helpful to ask God some questions and then spend time attending to His voice…<\/strong><\/p>\n

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