A friend called me last week while traveling to an event. I had not heard from her in a while, but she didn’t call me just to catch up. From the first few minutes of our conversation, there was heaviness in her voice. Her heart was hurting. This is a mom like you and me, experiencing difficulties, the details of which may be differ from you and me, but the need is the same. In the moment, she needed a listening ear, compassion, and solid encouragement based on the Truth of God’s Word without any finger-wagging. Confiding in a friend is exactly the right thing to do in these situations. But my best advice was prayer. When our hearts hurt, prayer is the place to begin.

God Hears When Your Heart Hurts

God assures us that His character is to be near the brokenhearted or crushed in spirit (Psalm 34:18).

Always He is attentive to the one broken by their sin:

Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy. Proverbs 28:13

But for the person, like my friend, who has a heart that is hurting from circumstances in her life, difficulties due to relationships, or enumerable troubles, crying out to the Lord is not in vain. For He hears the heart that hurts.

For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite. Isaiah 57:15

Beyond contrition, Isaiah assures us that God hears the “subdued, self-distrusting spirit which is produced by affliction.” In other words, God hears us in the midst of the trouble, suffering, and responsibilities that permeate our lives.

God Acts When Your Heart Hurts

God is present in your life to bring exactly what you need–more-so than anyone else could–by means of emotional support, help which is tangible, as well as comfort. Somehow, we miss this reality. Too often we mistakenly assume God is aware of what is going on in our lives but remains far off, (sort of like the playground monitor from elementary school, suggesting we rub some dirt it the wounds and keep moving). But that’s not the portrait of God Isaiah paints at all.

He revives the spirit of the lowly.

He revives the heart of the contrite.

Thank God He does.

A Prayer When Your Heart Hurts

Lord Jesus,

Thank you for what you reveal about yourself through your Word. Thank you for hearing the cries of the lowly—a God who is high and lifted up. Thank you for concerning Yourself with the inner workings of our lives, paying attention to the hurting hearts about which no one else may know.

Today, I ask that you be who You say You are through the prophet Isaiah. Hear the cries and petitions of the one with a hurting heart. Give her the confidence to bring what is heavy on her heart to the throne of grace. And as You hear her as promised, give her what her hurting heart needs to take her next breath. Show her what step to take in the current situation. And bring her the comfort she needs as only You can provide. Because You assure us, are a God of action, please revive her spirit and her heart as she cries out to you, as this prayer is offered on her behalf. Thank You for your loving kindness that spills over your daughter. Thank You for the healing You offer for the one whose heart hurts.

In the Name of Jesus, Amen

XOXOXO

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