Well-meaning and kind friends suggested they would pray for God’s “favor and blessing” so that my severe, chronic pain would disappear. So that the tribulation would end. So earthly suffering and affliction would stop.
I silently cried an anguished response, “But I already HAVE His favor and blessing…because I’m in Christ!”
Following His providential gift of a second brain surgery, only a treatment and not a cure, God reached into my hurting heart. He flooded me with songs and Scriptures that sang the truth about His “past, present, and forever favor and blessings” for my saved soul.
Ephesians 1:3-4 became His bubbled-over grace and favor! How can this suffering BE God’s blessing to me? And you?
Is this how to sing, “Blessings all mine and ten thousands beside,” when we’re suffering? Maybe it’s time for a praise interruption of our suffering, sister in Christ, for we ARE “in Christ,” chosen and unified with our risen and reigning Lord now and forever!
In Christ…every past spiritual blessing helps me endure today’s suffering
Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth…
(“Great is Thy Faithfulness,” Chisholm, T. O., 1923)
Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but HAS PASSED from death to life (Jn. 5:24 ESV, emphasis added).
What a divine harmonious sound
The gospel-trumpet gives;
No music can with it compare;
The soul that knows it lives.
(“Blessings of the Gospel,” Gadsy, W., p. d. Sing to the tune of “O God, Our Help in Ages Past!”)
Ten thousand blessings it contains,
Divinely rich and free,
For helpless, wretched, ruined man,
Though vile and base as we.
If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved (Rom. 10:9-10 ESV).
Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!
Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine!
(“Blessed Assurance,” Crosby, F., 1873)
In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, WERE SEALED with the promised Holy Spirit (Eph. 1:13 ESV, emphasis added).
Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
born of his Spirit, washed in his blood.
For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Rom. 10:11-13 ESV).
In Christ…countless blessings as I suffer today
It speaks of pardon, full and free,
Through Christ, the Lamb once slain;
Whose blood can cleanse the foulest soul,
And take away all stain.
Whoever believes in the Son HAS eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him (Jn. 3:36 ESV, emphasis added).
The vilest sinner out of hell,
Who lives to feel his need…
Is welcome to a Throne of Grace,
The Saviour’s blood to plead.
Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need (Heb. 4:16 BSB).
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide…
BLESSED are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted (Mt. 5:4 CSB, emphasis added).
The Lord delights to hear them cry,
And knock at mercy’s door;
’Tis grace that makes them feel their need,
And pray to him for more.
BLESSED are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled (Mt. 5:6 CSB, emphasis added)!
Nor will he send them empty back,
Nor fright them from the door;
The Father has in Jesus stored
All blessings for the poor.
BLESSED are the poor in spirit,
for the kingdom of heaven is theirs (Mt. 5:3 CSB).
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow…
And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come (Mt. 24:14 ESV).
In Christ…future and forever blessings, no matter what I suffer
Blessings all mine and ten thousand beside!
Great is thy faithfulness,
Morning by morning new mercies I see…
All I have needed thy hand HAST provided…
Great is thy faithfulness,
Lord, unto me!
After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” (Rev. 7:9-10 ESV).
Perfect submission, all is at rest.
I, in my Savior, AM happy and blessed!
Thank You, Lord, and amen!
Do you know Jesus as Savior and Lord, too? What does He say to us?
“For whoever” finds Me “finds life and obtains favor from the LORD” (Prov. 8:35 ESV).
Are you also suffering? Perhaps ongoing, chronic, and severe? Perhaps you’re nearing the end of your earthly life or fearing even greater tribulation?
Today, this adapted excerpt is from a brand-new book for you, as we both bring our tears and fears to our Lord and pray using God’s Word. I’ve prayed you will be showered and soothed by the blessings He’s already given to us in Christ, past, present, and future.
May this 90-day prayer book be a rich blessing and healing balm to your soul, as our souls both cry:
Material adapted from Praying God’s Blessings in Christ as We Suffer:
Scripture Prayers for the Hardest Days, Lauri A. Hogle, © 2026
An accompanying playlist gift to sing our “Blessings All Mine and Ten Thousand Beside…when we’re suffering”
This week’s accompanying playlist gift sings of some of His blessings…and yours…into our suffering situations. The music is a gospel gift of our hope in Christ, because beloved sister, we already have our Lord’s past, present, and future favor and blessing…even as we suffer. If the songs would bless you, encourage you, and help you endure as we sing praise to Him for His unending spiritual blessings, sign up here, and it will come to your email with my love and prayers.
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 channel
For those with chronic illness, chronic pain, anxiety, depression, or cancer, here is a music-therapy inspired podcast of Scripture and hymns to help ease our symptoms
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