​5 Ways to Pray in the Valley of Despair

I don't know if you've ever walked through the valley of despair, friend. But if you haven't, you probably will someday. Maybe you are right there right now. Maybe today, your journey finds you in the valley. There's hope there!

"When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all. He keeps all his bones; not one of them is broken." Psalm 34:17-20

I was once walked in the valley of despair, and who's to say I won't walk there again someday. What I found in that valley was 5 ways to pray. Today, I want to share those 5 ways with you.

Grab your copy of Gospel Hope in Grief & Loss

This world is broken. We all experience loss, whether the loss of a loved one, the loss of a dream, or the loss of innocence. We grieve and mourn the pain of this world. But although we will endure hardship and grief in this life, God does not leave us alone in our suffering. Rather, He enters into our pain. He comforts us and soothes our wounds. He invites us into Himself. 

This little booklet examines the emotional, physical, and spiritual effects of grief. It discusses common responses to grief such as despair, fatigue, anger, and hopelessness. It also reminds us of the hope found in Scripture: the promise of a compassionate, present, and loving God.

This booklet explores the topic of grief in Scripture. It provides workbook pages, hymns, and prompts to help through the grieving process. It also gives guidance for how to help a grieving friend.​

​​So, how do we pray when we’re walking through the valley of despair?

1. Persistence: Continue to seek God even when you don't see immediate answers or relief. Persistence in prayer is the act of continuing to pray with faith and hope. Even if it seems like your prayers are not being answered, be persistent—relief may not be God's perfect plan.
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2. Praise: Acknowledge God's goodness and sovereignty even amidst the pain. Praying with praise involves expressing gratitude, admiration, and adoration towards God. Remember, there's no one "right" way to pray with praise. The most important thing though is to approach God with a humble and grateful heart. Keep your focus on His goodness and greatness.
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3. Petition: Bring your specific requests before your Father. Ask Him for comfort, healing, and provision in your times of need. Praying with petition means asking God for something that you need or desire. Remember that prayer is a personal conversation with God, and there is no right or wrong way to pray. Trust your intuition and use your own words to communicate with God in a way that feels authentic to you. If you can't find words, pray Scripture.
   
   
4. Patience: Sometimes, God's answers to our prayers don't come immediately. Prayer during suffering requires patience and trust in His timing. There is growth in the waiting. Praying with patience can be a challenge, but it's an important aspect of a fulfilling prayer life. Remember that prayer is a deeply personal practice, and there is no "right" or "wrong" way to pray. Focus on cultivating a spirit of patience and openness. Trust that God will guide you.
   
   
5. Peace: You are not alone, remember that friend. God is with you and for you even in your pain and darkest valleys of despair. Prayer can be a powerful tool for finding that peace that passes all understanding. (Philippians 4:7) It's also an effective path to understanding God deeper.

How do we pray in the valley of despair? We remember the 5 "Ps"— We pray with persistence, praise, petition, patience, and peace.

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​The Heart That Heals: Healing Our Brokenness Through the Promises of God

The Heart That Heals is centered around Psalm 46:10a, Be still, and know that I am God. It’s a book about healing our brokenness. It's about doing the next thing, and sometimes, the next thing is to be still, and know that He is God. This book is full of Scripture and practical application. Each chapter will challenge you to reflect, apply, pray, meditate on and memorize Scripture. It’s your homework but in a good way.

Please don’t think you’re alone. You are not! Thousands of women just like you have used these biblical principles to heal their brokenness. You have not come here by accident. You've found this place today for a reason and you belong here!

If you and I were Pen Pals, The Heart That Heals is the letter I would write to you if you’d lost a child, a husband, a best friend, or a sister. It’s the kind of letter I would seal with a heart-shaped sticker that says, “God Loves You,” you know, that kind of sticker you used to get in Sunday school. You would read my letter and you would know. Yes, you would know, He truly does love me! He loves me in the midst of this storm. 

“Our choices have consequences. The pathway we walk has a destination. I want you to make good choices so that the consequences will be good. I want your destination to be one that glorifies God. If you’re in a broken place, it may be difficult to make good choices. Is your pathway littered with the debris of brokenness? I want to help you get past all that and learn to be still, and know that He is God.” —from the Prologue

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How are you praying in the valley of despair today?