OG Devo – “A Prayer of Brokenness”

Recently, while “cleaning up” old files that were saved on my computer, I came across the original 20 year-old manuscript of Devotions For Difficult Days. As I’ve read through the OG devos, the memories of His faithfulness in the midst of pain, come rushing back to my heart. I so clearly see the grace and mercy of God on my life and His ability to walk us through trials. Not necessarily removing the painful events, but giving us His wisdom and grace to walk through them. It’s also a real-life example of Romans 8:28 and Ephesians 1:11 which says in part, He is “working all things according to the counsel of His will.” And His promise to bring good from all we face – If we put our lives in His hands.

I have decided to share a few of these OG devos from years past, in their original form for the most part. You may notice a few grammar issues or strange sentence structure. Please  try to look past that, and land on the lesson He was teaching me at the time, and maybe even use it to remind/or teach you as well.

For His glory,

Becky White

---

Prayer of Brokenness

For I consider the sufferings of this present time

are not worthy to be compared with the glory that will be revealed in us.

But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer

through Him [Jesus] who loved us and gave His life for us.

Romans 8:18 and 37 NASB

The following is a prayer I wrote a few years ago while going through an intensely difficult season of my life due to an ongoing trial that has lasted many years. I wonder, do my words echo your heart?

Father, my heart hurts. I want to cry and never stop. The pain is so great right now and I see no end in sight. I can’t hear You. What are You telling me? Comfort me, Father! Cause me to know the way I should walk…make my path straight and clear. Enable me to release the weight of this burden. I know people are not the “real” enemy…but it still hurts when they are so indifferent…so mean…so heartless…How do I walk this path, Father without becoming bitter and hard?… How?

Lord, give me eyes to see my circumstances as You see them, give me Your perspective. I’ve lost my way in the darkness of this trial. Help me, Lord! Your Word says You are near the brokenhearted and save such as are crushed with sorrow. I qualify! Your Word also says “Am I a God who is near declares the Lord and not far off?” Increase my faith, Father. Enable me to walk by faith and not sight. Give me discernment concerning what to say, how to say it, what to do and when to do it. I can’t see my way clear.

I choose to give You thanks, Lord. I know You cause all things to work together for good for those who love You…that You work all things after the counsel of Your will. Your Word says to give thanks in all things…I praise You, Lord. I know Your ways are perfect. Father, Remove fear far from me. I know You have not given me a spirit of fear but of power and love and a sound mind. Please also give me favor with those causing me pain while I wait for Your Word to be manifest in my life. In the mighty name of Jesus, I ask these things, Amen.

Whether you are facing an immediate crisis situation or a long-term trial that is like an endless steady drip of pain, I pray you will be encouraged to keep on hanging on by His unfailing grace. He loves you so. If you have no crisis at the moment, share this devo with a friend or tuck it away for later. You just might need it.

Written by Becky White for the Lord Jesus