A Prayer for Every Broken Heart - Your Daily Prayer - April 12

A Prayer for Every Broken Heart
By Kristine Brown

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18 NIV

So many of life’s trials can lead to a broken heart. Losing a family member unexpectedly. A dear friend moving away. A relationship ends abruptly. Or simply feeling alone, without a community for support. Does God see our hurt when hard circumstances leave us with broken hearts? Does he care? We use the word brokenhearted to describe the intense pain we carry in our chests when we go through deep loss. Sometimes it feels like an emptiness that can’t be filled. God knew the difficulties we would face in this life, so he gave us comforting words to tell us how much he cared about our broken hearts. Each of us will experience the pain of brokenheartedness, but we can rest assured; God sees our tears. He is near. 

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” (Psalm 34:18) 

Isn’t knowing Jesus stays close to us when our hearts have broken a relief? He knows what it’s like to have a broken heart. Even as “he was pierced for our transgressions and crushed for our iniquities,” Jesus was concerned about us. (Isaiah 53:5) Before giving his life for us, he gave his disciples hope for their broken hearts, as well. What heartbreak they must’ve felt when Jesus endured the cross. Yet, Jesus comforted them with these words, “...Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27 NIV) and His faithful followers would be saying goodbye to their Lord, but they had hope for his promised return. Those same words bring hope to us right now. Jesus has risen, and we can experience his presence anew each day. If you’re feeling brokenhearted today, let this promise from Jesus begin to fill the emptiness inside. 

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me.” (John 14:1) 

Yes, God sees our broken hearts, and he cares so much that he gave us the hope of eternal life with him through his son. Let’s bring every broken heart before our Savior in prayer. Nothing comforts a broken heart quite like God’s love.

Let’s pray:
Dear Jesus,
You know what it’s like to have a broken heart. You understand how I feel when no one else does. You understand loneliness, hurt, and disappointment and never leave me alone. I am calling on you now, Jesus, amid my pain. Soothe every broken heart. You are the source of all comfort.

Lord, help me hold on to the truth that you are near me always. Your Word says in Psalm 145:18, “The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.” In my brokenheartedness, you are comforting me and speaking peace in my life. Thank you for that reassurance. I know you are here right now— listening, loving, and caring about everything happening in my life. I can cling to you through every trial because of that truth. Thank you for inviting me to bring my broken heart to you. Fill me with your love, peace, and joy. In your name, I pray, Amen. 

Photo Credit: ©Pexels/its me neosiam

For more spiritual growth resources, check out the 5-day email devotional, How to Be Free from Bitterness, by today’s devotion writer, Kristine Brown. Learn more about women in the Bible and find encouragement to help you “become more than yourself through God’s Word” at Kristine’s website, morethanyourself.com.

Editor's Note: We're proud to announce we've just launched a new nighttime companion to Your Daily Prayer: the Your Nightly Prayer devotional. You'll soon be able to subscribe to receive Your Nightly Prayer via email, or as a podcast, but for now you can find it on the website at crosswalk.com/devotionals/your-nightly-prayer. We hope it's a relaxing and soothing way to wind down your day with rich meditations on who God is.

Related Resource: Jesus Calling - Stories of Faith

Kerry Washington. Andrea Bocelli. Reba McEntire. Mark Wahlberg. Tony Dungy. Matthew McConaughey, What do all of these people have in common? They are all people of faith who have leaned on God in both the good and challenging times—and they’ve shown up to tell their story of faith on The Jesus Calling Podcast. The Jesus Calling Podcast provides a place for people from all walks of life to share the heartaches, joys, and divine moments that keep them going. 

Inspired by Sarah Young's classic devotional book, the Jesus Calling podcast has brought encouragement and peace to millions. New episodes drop every Thursday! Listen today on LifeAudio.com or wherever you find your podcasts.

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