A Good Comforting Prayer

We encounter many different seasons and circumstances where we need comfort. It could be that we are grieving a loss, have been hurt by a friend, are going through emotional struggles, or are feeling lost or disoriented. As we encounter such situations in our Christian life, our source of comfort is that we have a heavenly Father who comforts us in Christ. In those times of difficulties, where we feel despair, we should not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead (But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead: 2 Corinthians 1:9).

Heavenly Father, I pray that as I go through difficulties in life, I shall not rely on myself but on You alone. May the strength, hope, and comfort I need be found in You alone. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

 

What makes a good comforting prayer?

Good comforting prayers come from the scriptures. There is no better place to find comfort than the scriptures themselves. Therefore, a good prayer for comfort is grounded in what the scriptures have to say. In Psalm 119:49-51, we can see in the passage how God’s word is so valued not just because it gives them instructions as to how they should live their lives but also because it reminds them of who God is, along with His mighty works and promises that bring them comfort. The Bible gives us several passages that comfort us; we will list some of them here. (Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope. This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me. The proud have had me greatly in derision: yet have I not declined from thy law. Psalm 119:49-51)

The first one is from 2 Corinthians 1:3-5. The passage tells us that God is the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in any and all afflictions. Just as we share in Christ’s sufferings, we shall also share abundantly in His comfort. A person may ask what specific affliction the passage applies to: It says “any” and “all” of our afflictions. In our Christian life, the difficulties we may encounter go beyond just being persecuted. Other people may also hurt us. We may encounter losses, struggles of different kinds, and so much more. However, whatever those difficulties may be, the passage tells us that God is the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort. Our ultimate hope and comfort is God, who can raise the dead (2 Corinthians 1:9). Just as Christ suffered yet was raised from the dead, so shall we. We have hope because even death has been defeated. We have eternal security in Christ. (Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ. 2 Corinthians 1:3-5)

The second passage to remember is from Psalm 34:18, which says that the LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. As you are going through difficulties, the LORD is not far but very near you. You are not weeping alone. In Psalm 23, it is written that as you walk through the valley of the shadow of death, you must not fear any evil because Christ, our good shepherd, is with you. His rod and staff comfort you. In fact, in Psalm 139:7-9, David asks God where he shall flee from His presence. God is seated on His throne if he goes to the heavens. If he goes to Sheol, God will still be there. Where the sun rises, God is still there; even light cannot outrun His presence. If he goes where the sea lies, God is also there. We can never outrun God’s presence. He is everywhere. Therefore, we can take comfort in the truth that God is with us in all our times of difficulty. (The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. Psalm 34:18)

The third scripture that could comfort us is Psalm 147:3. It tells us that God heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. God comforts us and is with us, but also proactively heals our hurts and pains and makes us whole again, just as we are already made whole in Christ. No matter how painful or devastating the things you are going through may be, no hurts or pains are beyond God’s grace and power of healing.(He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds. Psalm 147:3)

There are many other truths in the Bible that could bring us comfort and make for a good comforting prayer.

How do you pray for comfort during a difficult time?

You pray for comfort during a time of difficulty by using and praying the scriptures. As mentioned above, a good comforting prayer is one that comes from the scriptures. However, how do you pray with those comforting scriptures? There are two ways you can use them in prayer. The first way is by confessing them in your prayer. For example, using the verse in Psalm 23:4 that talks about walking in the valley of the shadow of death, you can confess in prayer like this:

Father in heaven, even though my current situation in life is like walking in a dark valley of death, I shall not be afraid. I will take comfort in the truth that You are with me and that Your rod and staff always comfort me. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

The second way is by applying or praying the scripture practically. Just as we apply medicine to a wound, we can also use the scriptures when we’re hurting. For example, let’s say that you have a friend who is grieving. You can pray Psalm 147:3, Psalm 34:18, and 2 Corinthians 1:3-5 like this:

Heavenly Father, I pray for my grieving friend and ask that You will open his eyes and make known to him Your presence. Show him that You are always there with him and would never leave him. Holy Spirit, bring to his remembrance those truths in which he could take comfort. Comfort his soul and bring healing to his wounded heart. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

The difference is that the first version uses scriptures to confess, and the second is being prayed because it is being applied practically. You don’t just confess that God heals but also pray that God will heal.

Whether you are the one who is going through something or if you are praying for a friend, you can take comfort in the truths that the scriptures offer and use them in prayer. The Bible is full of people who went through various difficulties, and who God is and what His promises are, are what they held onto.