Praying through Every Emotion Read online

  I hear Your silence, so I humble myself before You. As I do, I feel Your quiet. You, the God of truth and justice, will help me to stand strong without sinning.

  Help me not to let my anger tempt me to engage in foolish and stupid arguments that lead to quarrels. Give me the strength to be kind, to be patient, and even to suffer wrongs when I stand up for You.

  Show me how to be gentle when I correct those who misunderstand or oppose the truth so that my example attracts my opponents to You.

  Because You love me, teach me how to lay down my pride so that I can be humble, gentle, and patient. Remind me to invite Your presence into every situation.

  I push my pride aside and extend an invitation to You and Your amazing love to join me in this conflict now. Help me to be kind and to choose my words carefully, never in haste. Show me how to be slow to become angry so that I can achieve Your righteous purpose.

  Give me the ability to love with Your love.

  In the name of Jesus, amen.

  Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath.

  Ephesians 4:26 KJV

  Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments. You know they cause quarrels. A servant of the Lord must not quarrel. Instead, he must be kind to everyone. He must be a good teacher. He must be willing to suffer wrong. He must be gentle in correcting those who oppose the Good News. Maybe God will allow them to change the way they think and act and lead them to know the truth.

  2 Timothy 2:23–25 GW

  Be humble. Be gentle. Be patient. Tolerate one another in an atmosphere thick with love.

  Ephesians 4:2 VOICE

  Everyone must be quick to listen, but slow to speak and slow to become angry. Human anger does not achieve God’s righteous purpose.

  James 1:19–20 GNT

  Annoyed

  Dear Lord,

  Help! I’m in the middle of a love deficit.

  I’ve tried to stretch my patience, but annoyance pulls me tight like a rubber band and I snap.

  I ask that You remind me of Your love for me. In fact, I open my heart to receive more of Your love, because when I recognize Your love for me, Your love fills my heart, creating a love reserve that covers all irritating people.

  When I have Your love flowing to me, then through me, I have patience. I am kind. I’m never jealous, haughty, arrogant, or rude. I am able to think of others without annoyance. I stop keeping my list of their wrongs. I am even able to encourage and care for those I tried to dismiss, ignore, or avoid.

  But the best part? I don’t run out of patience and never give up on others because Your love supply never ends.

  Your love makes me beautiful with gentleness. Your love clothes me with a good attitude and helps me to bear with those You have put in my life, even to the point of forgiving them.

  Keep my heart filled with Your love so I can stretch and never snap.

  In the name of Jesus, amen.

  Your beauty should be a gentle and quiet spirit. In God’s sight this is of great worth and no amount of money can buy it.

  1 Peter 3:4 NLV

  Love is patient. Love is kind. Love isn’t jealous. It doesn’t sing its own praises. It isn’t arrogant. It isn’t rude. It doesn’t think about itself. It isn’t irritable. It doesn’t keep track of wrongs. It isn’t happy when injustice is done, but it is happy with the truth. Love never stops being patient, never stops believing, never stops hoping, never gives up. Love never comes to an end.

  1 Corinthians 13:4–8 GW

  Above all, love each other warmly, because love covers many sins.

  1 Peter 4:8 GW

  Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

  Colossians 3:12–13 NIV

  Anxious

  Dear Lord,

  The trouble in this world has made me anxious. But You want me to turn my anxieties over to You. You remind me not to fear or be dismayed because You are my God. You promise to strengthen and help me as You hold my hand.

  Okay, I’ll take Your anxiety challenge and give You all my anxieties. I turn over my life, my food, my clothes, my body, my fears, and my worries to You.

  After all, the birds never worry or stress out about their lives, and You take wonderful care of them. And you’ve said that I’m more important to You than the birds.

  My anxiety has been unproductive, causing my head to spin as I search for impossible solutions instead of trusting You.

  But the solutions are not up to me. The solutions to my problems belong to You. You can figure everything out so much better than I can even imagine. All I have to say is “Thank You!”

  I declare that You are in charge of my problems. I trust You to show me what to do in every situation as You put me on the right path. I give You my hand and take a deep breath as I realize You’ve got this. You’ve got all of it. I will trust You every day—remembering that You are the Lord over all and especially over me.

  In the name of Jesus, amen.

  Turn all your anxiety over to God because he cares for you.

  1 Peter 5:7 GW

  So do not fear, for I am with you;

  do not be dismayed, for I am your God.

  I will strengthen you and help you;

  I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

  Isaiah 41:10 NIV

  Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?

  Matthew 6:25–26 ESV

  Trust in the LORD with all your heart;

  do not depend on your own understanding.

  Seek his will in all you do,

  and he will show you which path to take.

  Proverbs 3:5–6 NLT

  Betrayed

  Dear Lord,

  Wow! I did not see that coming. And I have to ask, is my so-called friend’s “blade” still in my back?

  This is so painful and unfair, Lord. In fact, I think this would be a good time for me to take revenge. But that’s not how You want me to react.

  I do like the fact that You want to take care of this betrayal Yourself, because as You say, You alone have the right to revenge. You even promise to “pay betrayal back,” which may be a bit frightening, especially to those who deceived me.

  But, Jesus, may I never forget that You forgave Your betrayers, even while You suffered on the cross. Is that why You want me to forgive, to bless and not to curse?

  Lord, I’ll follow Your example. Please forgive them, bless them, and do not curse them. But this I ask: please do not let these people or their actions put me to shame.

  You’ve made a few promises to me when it comes to betrayal. You promise to bless me when people mock me and persecute me and tell evil lies about me because I follow You. You tell me to rejoice because You will give me a great reward.

  Even now, You reward me by preparing a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing me with Your Holy Spirit. And thank You that despite everything, my cup overflows with blessings.

  In the name of Jesus, amen.

  Don’t take revenge, dear friends. Instead, let God’s anger take care of it. After all, Scripture says, “I alone have the right to take revenge. I will pay back, says the Lord.”

  Romans 12:19 GW

  Bless those who persecute you. Bless them, and don’t curse them.

  Romans 12:14 GW

  I trust you, O my God.

  Do not let me be put to shame.

  Do not let my enemies triumph over me.

  Psalm 25:2 GW

  God blesses you when people mock you
and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven.

  Matthew 5:11–12 NLT

  You prepare a feast for me

  in the presence of my enemies.

  You honor me by anointing my head with oil.

  My cup overflows with blessings.

  Psalm 23:5 NLT

  Bitter

  Dear Lord,

  I’m brooding, rehashing, and building my case against the one who wronged me. I keep thinking about what I should have said, wishing I’d slung zingers in the moment instead of only thinking of them now.

  My outrage makes it hard to hear You. It’s like the more I try to justify my bitterness, the less I feel your presence. It’s as though my bitter thoughts are poisoning my soul with arsenic.

  That’s not what I want. I don’t want to turn against Your grace, especially because I know that Your Word says You won’t forgive me if I won’t forgive others. That sounds harsh until I feel the weight of my own sin. It’s just as nasty as the sin against me. When I indulge in bitterness, the blame I point at others points right back to me.

  So out of my love for You, Lord, I give You this situation and ask for You to turn it around. And while I’m at it, I give You all my dirty laundry—my bitterness, rage, anger, fighting, slander, and malice. In exchange, give me Your power to be kind, compassionate, and forgiving, just as You’ve forgiven me.

  Bitterness has no place in my life because Your love (in me) will cover every wrong. Your power (in me) will give me the strength to forgive not only others but even myself. Thank You, Lord.

  In the name of Jesus, amen.

  Guard against turning back from the grace of God. Let no one become like a bitter plant that grows up and causes many troubles with its poison.

  Hebrews 12:15 GNT

  If you forgive the failures of others, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you don’t forgive others, your Father will not forgive your failures.

  Matthew 6:14–15 GW

  Don’t say, “I will get even for this wrong.”

  Wait for the LORD to handle the matter.

  Proverbs 20:22 NLT

  Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

  Ephesians 4:31–32 NIV

  Hate starts quarrels,

  but love covers every wrong.

  Proverbs 10:12 GW

  Blessed

  Dear Lord,

  You promise that if I trust and put my confidence in You, I will be blessed. But how blessed do I have to be before I feel blessed?

  Your way of blessing me is not what I expected.

  You say that when I am poor, I am blessed because I realize I need You, and You promise me the kingdom of heaven. You say that when I am humble, my inheritance is the whole earth. You say that when I am hungry and thirsty for justice, I will be satisfied. You promise to bless me with mercy when I am merciful to others.

  You bless me when my need causes me to seek You more. When I seek You more, I will find You and You will continue to bless me.

  Finding You is the biggest blessing I can have.

  Because I know You, You prevent me from falling into worldly traps as I continue to seek You through Your Word.

  I am blessed because when I reflect on Your teachings I become like a tree nourished in rich soil and refreshed by bubbling streams. My leaves will never wither, and I will produce fruit in season.

  When I am blessed in this way, You promise me success in everything I do because I am doing it with and for You. So, Lord, please bless me! I want to be blessed, and I want to be a blessing to You.

  In the name of Jesus, amen.

  But blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD,

  whose confidence is in him.

  Jeremiah 17:7 NIV

  God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him,

  for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.

  God blesses those who mourn,

  for they will be comforted.

  God blesses those who are humble,

  for they will inherit the whole earth.

  God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice,

  for they will be satisfied.

  God blesses those who are merciful,

  for they will be shown mercy.

  Matthew 5:3–7 NLT

  Blessed is the person who does not follow the advice of wicked people,

  take the path of sinners, or join the company of mockers.

  Rather, he delights in the teachings of the LORD

  and reflects on his teachings day and night.

  He is like a tree planted beside streams—

  a tree that produces fruit in season and whose leaves do not wither.

  He succeeds in everything he does.

  Psalm 1:1–3 GW

  Bold

  Dear Lord,

  Why does my heart pound? Why do my knees knock? Have I forgotten that I belong to You? I do not need to approach life as though I’m a sneaky thief, afraid of being caught. I do not need to flee whenever someone notices me or knows what I stand for, especially when I am standing in You and Your righteousness.

  Fear will not stop me. I will face my life and my call with the boldness of a lion, for You have commanded me to be strong of heart. There is no need for me to be afraid or to lose faith, for You are with me wherever I go.

  Whether I’m young or grayed and wrinkled, I will go wherever You command me. I will not be afraid of the people I must face, for You are with me and You will rescue me.

  Because I belong to You, Your very Spirit is in me, and Your Spirit is not timid, so neither am I! Your Spirit fills me with power, love, and self-control.

  I can be a person of hope who is bold in You. Give me Your power to be bolder still so that I can do whatever I need to do, whatever You call me to do. I declare that fear will not hold me back from receiving and following Your call on my life.

  In the name of Jesus, amen.

  A wicked person flees when no one is chasing him,

  but righteous people are as bold as lions.

  Proverbs 28:1 GW

  Have I not told you? Be strong and have strength of heart! Do not be afraid or lose faith. For the Lord your God is with you anywhere you go.

  Joshua 1:9 NLV

  But the LORD said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am too young.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the LORD.

  Jeremiah 1:7–8 NIV

  For the Spirit that God has given us does not make us timid; instead, his Spirit fills us with power, love, and self-control.

  2 Timothy 1:7 GNT

  Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold.

  2 Corinthians 3:12 NIV

  Broken

  Dear Lord,

  This world is filled with difficulties, and sometimes my battle scars and life wounds make me feel as though I can’t continue the fight. In those times, my heart feels broken, and my mind wants to surrender to the pain.

  But even in these darkest of moments, when I cry out to You, You hear me and rescue me. Whenever I think of Your greatness, I remember that You are near. As I look back on battles of the past, I can see You’ve saved me time and again. Though I’ve had more than a few troubles, You’ve rescued me from them all.

  When the tide comes in like a flood and I fear I will drown, when the water is over my head, You are with me and You pull me to safety. When I have to cross swift rivers, You keep me afloat.

  I am never burned by the fires set by the enemy, and his flames never destroy me. My fire insurance is that I trust You. I know You will repay and restore what the enemy has devoured in my life.

  You are close to me when my heart is broken, and
You save me when my spirit is crushed.

  I can come to You whenever I’m exhausted from carrying heavy burdens, and You will give me rest. I need Your rest now. Once again, restore my soul and make me whole.

  In the name of Jesus, amen.

  Righteous people cry out.

  The LORD hears and rescues them from all their troubles.

  The LORD is near to those whose hearts are humble.

  He saves those whose spirits are crushed.

  The righteous person has many troubles,

  but the LORD rescues him from all of them.

  Psalm 34:17–19 GW

  When you go through deep water,

  I will be with you.

  When you go through rivers of difficulty,

  you will not drown.

  When you walk through the fire of oppression,

  you will not be burned up;

  the flames will not consume you.

  Isaiah 43:2 NLT

  I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten.

  Joel 2:25 NIV

  The LORD is close to the brokenhearted

  and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

  Psalm 34:18 NIV

  Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

  Matthew 11:28 NIV

  Burdened

  Dear Lord,

  When I can’t feel Your presence, when Your Spirit feels far way, I feel exhausted. I’m worn-out, unable to do all You’ve called me to do.

  That’s when You whisper to me, “Come! Come and spend time with Me. Open My Word. Think of My greatness and My care for You.”

  Spending time with You, acknowledging You are with me, is the only way I can find rest from the drudge. When I am walking with You, I know You are walking with me. That’s when I see that You are doing the heavy lifting. Not me!

  You never burden me. You undergird me with Your strong hands and teach me how to live freely, unbound by the chains of the world. You teach me how to travel lightly down the path You have for my life.

  When I try to carry my burdens by myself, I end up with a backache that won’t quit. That’s why I give my burdens to You. You carry them and keep me from stumbling under their weight.