Good Shepherd, thank You for guiding me through this suffering journey. Psalm 23’s promises are precious to me, for You are indeed leading me in paths of righteousness, giving me needed moments of rest, restoration, and comfort in Your always-good and compassionate presence. You’re leading me through the darkest places every single day until I live in the new heaven and earth with You.
All the way my Savior leads me;
what have I to ask beside?
Can I doubt his tender mercy,
who through life has been my guide?
(“All the Way, My Savior Leads Me,” Crosby, F., 1875)
Yet I often don’t know which way to go or who to believe. It’s so confusing. But I turn to You, Jesus, with reverent awe that You are the Lord, and humbled gratitude that I belong to You. I know that this fearing and intimately knowing You is the start of my own wisdom and understanding (Prov. 9:10).
This suffering journey brings heaps of difficult decisions to make, so I’m clinging to Your promises as I seek Your perfect wisdom.
Asking our Father for wisdom, as Jesus leads me
You promise that if I ask my Father, knowing He’s always generous to give wisdom (Jas. 1:5-7), He will give it to me. Just as He gave it to You as You walked this earth. He’s given me this very faith in You, Lord Jesus! You are wisdom itself. And that means this Scripture is my own, by Your grace:
Heav’nly peace, divinest comfort,
here by faith in him to dwell;
for I know, whate’er befall me,
Jesus doeth all things well…
Lead me with Your wisdom from God’s Word
So, by the work of the Holy Spirit, please illuminate Your Word to me and help me understand it (2 Tim. 2:7). For You promised that He not only teaches me through it but also brings Scripture to mind when I need help.
These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you (Jn. 14:25-26 ESV).
All the way my Savior leads me,
cheers each winding path I tread,
gives me grace for ev’ry trial,
feeds me with the living bread.
Savior, please keep me teachable and humble as You were, because Your Word promises:
This affliction is surely humbling me to need Your wisdom, for each moment. Help me trust the guidance of Your Word so I can walk wisely according to Your will, “making the best use of the time” as I suffer (Eph. 5:15).
Lead me with Your guidance and wisdom when I feel low, desperate, thirsty
You promise that it’s in those very needs, in my lowest, thirstiest, and most desperate places, that You provide this very trust of faith in You as I meditate on Your Word and rest there. When I’m the driest, when I don’t emotionally “feel” Your presence, it’s then that I must turn to Your breathed-out Scripture (2 Tim. 3:16) and listen to Your wise teaching with a soft heart to Your tender voice, my Savior and Lord.
Though my weary steps may falter,
and my soul a-thirst may be,
gushing from the rock before me,
lo, a spring of joy I see!
Trusting Your Word’s specific guidance and wisdom as You lead me through this suffering
When I don’t know what to do, fill me with wholehearted trust in Your wisdom and not my human understanding, for You promise to make my path straight (Prov. 3:5-6).
Help me to quickly make Your desired course corrections as You lead me by Your Word, out of deep love for You.
Lord, help me cling to Your promised guidance as I rest in how You’re specifically applying Your wise and sanctifying teaching to my suffering. All the way to the end!
All the way my Savior leads me –
O the fullness of his love!
perfect rest to me is promised
in my Father’s house above:
When my spirit, clothed, immortal,
wings its flight to realms of day,
this my song through endless ages:
Jesus led me all the way!
Glory to You alone. In Your name, my precious Savior, Shepherd, and Lord, Jesus Christ, amen.
Material adapted from Praying God’s Promises Into Suffering: A Devotional Bible Study Prayer Journal, Lauri A. Hogle, © 2023
A playlist to sing God’s promises to our hurting hearts, as He leads us through this world’s suffering
Sister in Christ, He’s been leading me through suffering for so many years. Songs that echo God’s Word have been His carrying, leading, teaching gift of grace when I can barely breathe. I make, use, and need Christ-exalting and trusting playlists that sing Scriptural truth into my pain. Would you like to receive them too? They need to go by email. Sign up here if you’d like these weekly gifts too, with love and prayer from one who understands.
To read more of Lauri’s writing, you can use her devotional Bible study lament prayer journals: Praying God’s Promises Into Suffering, or Near to God: A Devotional Bible Study of God’s Character as We Suffer, or Singing the Gospel to Job: Finding Hope in Suffering. In the Valleys of God’s Love is written for children aged 3-8, a perfect read for grandparents, parents, and children to share together, preparing them for suffering to come.
For Scripture devotionals, calming hymns, and encouragement from Lauri, click here for YouTube podcast
For Scripture and hymns in music therapy-inspired podcast to ease symptoms of chronic pain and illness, click here
