Prayers For Those Who Suffer
Page Contents
We have collected some of the best prayers For Those Who Suffer to use in request to God. May these prayers for safety bring you comfort and peace of mind. May these prayers for strength encourage your spirit and strengthen your faith.
Suffering, or pain in a broad sense, may be an experience of unpleasantness and aversion associated with the perception of harm or threat of harm in an individual. Suffering is the basic element that makes up the negative valence of affective phenomena. The opposite of suffering is pleasure or happiness. See Chila (Suffering)
Suffering occurs in the lives of sentient beings in numerous manners, often dramatically. As a result, many fields of human activity are concerned with some aspects of suffering. These aspects may include the nature of suffering, its processes, its origin and causes, its meaning and significance, its related personal, social, and cultural behaviors, its remedies, management, and uses.
A Prayer for Those Who Feel Wounded
Dear God, We feel wounded, betrayed, and brokenhearted. We wonder sometimes if we can ever fully recover from the deep hurt we feel inside. Thank you that you know what we’ve been through and the struggles we still carry. Help us to forgive. Help us to let go. We know that we can move forward with you in peace and freedom. We pray for those who have hurt us right now, and ask for your power to work mightily within their lives. We leave them in your hands and find our comfort and strength in your spirit.
Thank you that you understand all that we’ve faced, that you see and you care. We ask that when the enemy taunts us with lies and tries to bring up the hurt of the past, you would silence his voice and allow us to walk free. We bring you all the stuff that he would use to try to trap us or stop us – the pain, the past, the mistakes, the struggles. And we lay it at your feet, again. Thank you for your healing, for your grace, for your hope. Thank you that you have set us free and will not waste the pain that we’ve carried. We look forward to the greater good and purpose you will bring through this struggle.
We love you Lord, we need you, we trust you. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
— Debbie McDaniel
A Prayer for When Time Doesn’t Heal a Broken Heart
Lord, please heal my broken heart. Fill me with the peace and joy I know can only come from You during this hard time. Walk closely beside me during my journey to healing and recovery that I know is possible through Your power alone. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
— Tracie Miles
For Those Who Suffer
For those who suffer,
and those who cry this night,
give them repose, Lord;
a pause in their burdens.
Let there be minutes
where they experience peace,
not of man
but of angels.
Love them, Lord,
when others cannot.
Hold them, Lord,
when we fail with human arms.
Hear their prayers
and give them the ability to hear You back
in whatever language they best understand.
—Margaret A. Davidson
Suffering Servant Prayer
Lord Jesus,
Surely you have borne our infirmities
and carried our diseases.
You were stricken and afflicted.
You were wounded for our transgressions,
Yet, your punishment made us whole,
and by your bruises we are healed.
May we share in your sufferings,
and through them, become more like you. Amen
—Adapted from Isaiah 53:4-6
Prayers in Times of Trouble and Disaster
God is our refuge
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change,
though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea;
though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult.
God is in the midst of the city; it shall not be moved;
God will help it when the morning dawns.
The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.
(from Psalm 46)
Prayer for peace amidst the storm
Living God, our refuge and strength, even the wind and sea obey your voice.
Put the wind back in its place, and say to the sea: Peace! Be still!
Fill us with great faith, and save us from the surging water,
so that we may tell the good news of your saving love;
through Jesus Christ, our hope in the storm.
(based on Mark 4)
A Prayer for Rescue, Recovery and Relief workers
God our help and hope when waters rise,
you brought Israel safely through the sea.
Sustain all those who seek to save others,
so that they may repair the ruined cities,
raise up the former devastations,
and be the restorers of streets to live in;
through Jesus Christ, our eternal savior.
(based on Isaiah 58, 61)
Prayer in Times of Trouble
God of wind and water, stillness and storm,
your Spirit sweeps over the surface of the sea.
Give us faith to seek you in times of trouble.
Reach out your hand to us when we are sinking
so that we may believe and worship you;
through Jesus Christ, Sovereign and Savior.
(based on Matthew 14:22-33)
Prayer in a Time of Disaster
Holy One, you are our comfort and strength
in times of sudden disaster, crisis, or chaos.
Surround us now with your grace and peace
through storm or earthquake, fire or flood.
By your Spirit, lift up those who have fallen,
sustain those who work to rescue or rebuild,
and fill us with the hope of your new creation;
through Jesus Christ, our rock and redeemer.
A Prayer in a Time of Distress
Almighty and everlasting God, You are strength to those who suffer and comfort to those who
grieve. Let the prayers of your children who are in trouble rise to you.
Hear our prayer.
We claim your promises of wholeness as we pray for those who are ill or are suffering loss and
long for your healing touch.
Hear our prayer.
Make the weak strong, the sick healthy, the broken whole, and confirm those who serve them as
agents of your love.
Hear our prayer.
To everyone in distress, grant mercy, grant relief, grant refreshment.
Hear our prayer.
As we begin to rebuild, we commend our neighborhoods to your care. Give us strength of
purpose and concern for others, that we may create a community where your will may be done.
Hear our prayer.
God of compassion, you watch our ways, and weave out of terrible happenings wonders of
goodness and grace.
Hear our prayer.
Surround those who have been shaken by tragedy with a sense of your present love,
and hold them in faith. Though they are lost in grief, may they find you and be comforted;
Through Jesus Christ who was dead, but lives and rules this world with you. Amen.
A Prayer When the Waters are Rising
Lord, all around us the waters are rising.
I feel so helpless, for I cannot stop the rain from falling or the waters from rising.
I feel so powerless, for the current is strong and my body is tired.
I feel so empty, for our possessions are floating away or anchored in the muddy water.
Lord, all around us the waters are rising.
Grant me your strength, since mine is somewhere downstream.
Grant me your patience, since mine is drowning.
Grant me your perspective, since my loss is in replaceable things, not irreplaceable grace.
Give me eyes to see how precious your gifts are: family and friends, faith and mercy.
And Lord, when the waters rise around me in my spirit, and my faith and hope are swept
downstream, help me to remember how you got me through this flood.
In Your Son’s name. Amen.
— (The Rev. John G. Hamilton, FPC, Rochelle, Ill.)
Prayer for suffering
(a prayer of intercession for those who are in pain and suffering)
O Jesus,
Please be in the hearts and lives of all those who are suffering.
Bring healing to those who are enduring pain.
Bring value to those who are disregarded.
Bring joy to those in great sorrow.
Bring hope to those that have nothing to live for.
Bring provision to those who are hungry.
Bring shelter to those without a home.
Bring community to those who are lonely.
Please use and prompt me to be your hands of love across a hurting world.
Amen.
Prayers for comfort
Heavenly Father, I feel alone, beaten up, tears fill my eyes, I toss and turn at night.
Words can’t express the ache in my heart. I feel pain every day.
I pray to you as I am desperate for help.
I need to know that you care, that you love me, be my refuge from pain, replacing my distress with peace, and be my strength when I feel weak and find it hard to carry on.
Help me not to fear the future but to boldly trust that you are in control when my emotions plunge me down, and when I am in despair. And times when I can’t talk and don’t know what to say, help me to “Be still, and know that you are God”.
Be my comforter, my healer and bring me peace. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
*** *** ***
God, help me accept the things I can’t change, give me the courage to change the things I can, and give me the wisdom to know the difference. Amen
Bible reference: Psalm 46
For Those who are Suffering
Gracious God, all around me people are suffering. When I turn away from my own problems, I feel sorrow for the problems of others. Through the news, the media, and my conversations, I am daily confronted with the pain and suffering of so many innocent people in my life and in the world. Suffering seems to eagerly eat at the edges of life until people are worn down with sadness and despair. Even though I do not understand the reasons for suffering, I believe that you are a God of love, a God of compassion. I pray that you will be with all those this day that are in pain, who suffer silently and alone, who feel abandoned and left by the side of life’s road. Wrap your arms of grace around them, until they know they are safely held in your embrace. And, I pray, that you will fill my heart with the same compassion, and give me eyes to see how I can lovingly be a part of their healing. I ask this for the sake of your great love. Amen.
Prayer for help
Spirit of Creation, God of All,
I don’t understand you, I don’t even know if I believe in you, but this is my cry to you, whomever you are, I figure if you are as big as people say you are, you are not going to be offended if I get things wrong.
My life feels messy, things are not going smoothly at all.
Some of it I have done, some of it has been done to me, some of it just seems to have happened.
Sometimes I feel angry, sometimes shame.
And sometimes, to tell you the truth, I feel nothing at all.
I could use some help through these tough times, I am open to receive help from any source that has my wellbeing in mind.
Please, place good people, kind people, along my path.
Please God, help me have the wisdom to make right choices.
This is my cry to you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Bible reference: John 16:33
Prayer for strength for a friend
(a prayer for a dear friend or family member during difficult times)
Lord,
I would love to be with my friend as she/he manages such hardships.
I would love to hold her/his hand and whisper words of comfort.
I would love to change her situation and bring new happiness.
I would love to give her peace as she lies to rest.
I would love to wake her with new hope every morning.
I would love to know how to lead her through this hard time.
I would love to bless her with peace and joy and hope.
You are closer, stronger, wiser than I.
You are with her, Heavenly Father.
You are with her, and will hold her and protect her forever.
I trust in you.
Amen.
Prayer after loss
God of all creation,
I’m needing some comfort right now. My heart is breaking.
I’ve lost my loved one. My life feels kind of strange, all upside down.
My words feel like they have no strength, I have lost my confidence.
Some days I wake up and for a moment I feel happy to be alive, but this is always followed by a deep guilt for having those thoughts and I sink again.
Sorrow has kind of become a friend, a companion – ever present.
My prayer to you is that you will help grief do its work in me, and when it is done I pray that the wound of loss will heal.
I want one day to welcome these memories without this depth of pain. To welcome thoughts of my loved one with a small smile, with love.
Please God, help me heal. Amen
Bible reference: Revelation 21:4
Prayer in Time of Suffering
Behold me, my beloved Jesus,
weighed down under the burden of my trials and sufferings,
I cast myself at Your feet,
that You may renew my strength and my courage,
while I rest here in Your Presence.
Permit me to lay down my cross in Your Sacred Heart,
for only Your infinite goodness can sustain me;
only Your love can help me bear my cross;
only Your powerful hand can lighten its weight.
O Divine King, Jesus,
whose heart is so compassionate to the afflicted,
I wish to live in You;
suffer and die in You.
During my life be to me my model and my support;
At the hour of my death,
be my hope and my refuge. Amen.
Prayers for guidance
God, help me trust you with my decisions and future. Let me lean on you with all my heart instead of relying on my own imperfect understanding. Give me clear guidance in my life. I ask for your help to direct my path. Give me confidence that your direction is always the best way to go. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
*** *** ***
God of love – I feel like I am lost but your word says that you will always guide me. You do not leave me wandering through life but you are with me during every moment of every day. Help me to follow your ways when I feel weary and frustrated and help me to experience joy in life. May I be like the well-watered garden which thrives because the roots are firmly planted in your love. Amen.
*** *** ***
Creator God, you made me and you love me. My circumstances and experiences do not define me. Help me to understand that I am like a child and can trust you. Whatever I do today, your loving eye is on me and you have promised to care for me. Help me to bring everything in my life before you. When I am uncertain, help me look to you. Guide me and teach me in the way that I should go and the paths that I should take. Amen.
Bible reference: Psalm 119:105
Don’t Waste Times of Suffering
Lord, do not waste one scintilla of this suffering. Make some good come out of it for me (a change in life direction, a deepening of faith and love, a protection from other adversity), for others (a zeal for your kingdom, a desire to help others, an empathy with those in need, and an eagerness to serve the kingdom), for the culture, and for the community. Lord, please optimize the good that can come from this suffering.
Prayers for the worried
God of peace, my heart is heavy and filled with sadness. I spend so much time thinking, planning and worrying about my life. Help me to trust you when everything seems a mess. Can you lead me to make decisions that will help me, can you guide and help me I ask to direct my steps. Amen.
*** *** ***
God, where are you? I am so worried. I feel anxious from the soles of my feet to the top of my head. Everything feels so big, so overwhelming, so insurmountable.
Please help me get some peace. Give me peace that doesn’t make sense, peace that I can’t produce. Give me the peace of knowing you are with me and that you love me.
May your peace guide my heart and mind in Christ Jesus. Amen
*** *** ***
God I can’t do this anymore. I can’t keep putting one foot in front of the other. Can you take over, strengthen me, give me wisdom and help me make it through. Help me remember that you will never leave me. Amen.
Bible reference: Philippians 4:6
A Prayer For Those Suffering Tragedy
Lord Jesus, I thank You for Your love and the tender mercies You bestow unto those who are suffering some sort of tragedy in their lives. I pray a special blessing upon them, Father, as they call upon You with broken hearts.
Almighty God, You said in your Word that You will never leave us nor forsake us. And so, I ask that Your Holy Spirit comfort Your special people at this time.
Help them in their daily walk to be able to call upon You even when they feel overwhelmed, depressed and cheated out of a life of happiness.
God has promised to uphold you with His hand of righteousness. It states in Isaiah 41:10: Fear not, for I am with you. Be not dismayed, for I am your God. And I will strengthen you and help you. I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
I declare that God’s perpetual light will shine upon these families and you will grow in His glory a little more each day. In the matchless and mighty name of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, SO BE IT…Amen and Amen!
— By Bev
Prayers in uncertain times
Lord, when I am uncertain about what I should do, show me your ways. When I don’t know which way to turn, teach me and show me. In everything I do, I ask you to guide me. I want to trust you and I ask that you would protect me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
*** *** ***
God, open my eyes to see you.
God, open my ears that I could hear you as I cry, when I am hungry, when I am scared and when I feel beaten.
God, open my heart to you and to others, to receive help and support and love.
Give me strength to endure. Amen
*** *** ***
Father Lord, I feel like a million tonnes of weight is hanging over my head right now.
I feel exhausted, stressed and overwhelmed, even though I have just woken up.
Lord, I need you now more than ever. I can no longer pretend I can help myself alone.
Lord, help me safely anchor myself to you.
Help me recognise and accept your divine help when I see it today. Amen.
Bible reference: Psalm 16:8
Prayer for Someone Who is Suffering
Abba, Father, You are good, good Father, but sometimes this is so hard to see when we are suffocating in misery. Our perspective is so limited and narrow, Father. Help us to surrender control up to You. Today, I pray especially for my friend, that they may experience a deep closeness with You, unlike anything they have known before. Be so real to them. In their suffering, help them to hold on, knowing that You will work even the bad things in life for their good. You have told us that there is time for everything and a season for every activity under the heavens. There is a time to be born and a time to die, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance. We are more than conquerors through You who loves us, and nothing in any of these seasons will be able to separate us from the love of You, Father. I rejoice in Your holy name and pray that You fill my friend’s heart with Your unfailing love. In the name of the One who will give us the victor’s crown, Jesus, my King. Amen.