Praying God’s great and precious promises into suffering

I woke up at 3 am, writhing in severe pain with a cascade of symptoms within this past year’s ongoing medical treatment. Stumbling to the kitchen, into my agony, fears, loneliness, and darkness, the coffee cup’s Biblical promise made its way through my tears and into my heart. 

“The LORD is always with you.”

At that moment, God’s simple truth calmed me amid my suffering as He reminded me of His Word to me. 

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God (Is. 41:10 ESV).

Messy written pages quickly poured out in the next three hours, with hundreds of Scriptures and unified themes of His Word’s promises to me as a follower of Jesus Christ. Songs that echo these promises flooded my mind and soul amid my suffering.

In reverent awe, I realized a new book was born to encourage me…and you, to trust Him as we suffer.

Beloved in Christ, God’s promises are rooted in His unchanging character. They are promises of our loving Abba Father, who is also the Almighty and eternal God. Many are His covenant promises, freely given to those in Christ, regardless of our actions. He is the source! But, oh, how gloriously He brings about our “actions” that will please Him, as He promises us! What a wonder of His grace and love to us, as those who trust in Jesus Christ.

Let’s stand in His gracious gift, held firm in His embrace. Let’s stand on His promises to us as we sing-pray Psalm 84 to Him this week, into any suffering we’re facing today, as we rest tomorrow in His hands.

Praying God’s promises to me as a believer in Jesus Christ, unified with Christ who is His anointed

O LORD God of hosts, hear my prayer; give ear, O God of Jacob! Selah (Ps. 84:8 ESV).

Standing on the promises, I now can see

Perfect, present cleansing in the blood for me;

Standing in the liberty where Christ makes free,

Standing on the promises of God.

(“Standing on the Promises,” Cater, R. K., 1886)

I’m standing on Your “declared righteous” and forever reconciled promise, as Your redeemed child (e.g., Rom. 3:24, 28; Rom. 5:1, 9; Gal. 2:16; Col. 1:20-22).

Praying God’s promises for my death

For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness (Ps. 84:10 ESV).

How lovely is your dwelling place, O LORD of hosts! My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the LORD (Ps. 84:1-2 ESV).

Standing on the promises of Christ, the Lord,

Bound to Him eternally by love’s strong cord,

Overcoming daily with the Spirit’s Sword,

Standing on the promises of God.

I’m standing on Your “to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord” promises, Your promises held fast in Your resurrecting power and glorious love story written for all who are in Christ Jesus.

Your promises for days of continued earthly suffering

Even the sparrow finds a home,
    and the swallow a nest for herself,
    where she may lay her young,
at your altars, O LORD of hosts,
    my King and my God (Ps. 84:3 ESV). 

Standing on the promises that cannot fail,

When the howling storms of doubt and fear assail,

By the living Word of God I shall prevail,

Standing on the promises of God.

As they go through the Valley of Baca (weeping)
they make it a place of springs;
the early rain also covers it with pools.

They go from strength to strength; each one appears before God in Zion (Ps. 84:6-7 ESV, emphasis added).

Standing on the promises I cannot fall,

Listening every moment to the Spirit’s call,

Resting in my Savior as my All in All,

Standing on the promises of God.

It’s all based on Your unchanging character and Christ’s perfect righteousness, now credited to me. What a gift!

For the LORD God is a sun and shield;
the LORD bestows favor and honor.
No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly (Ps. 84:11-12 ESV).

Standing on the promises of Christ, my King!

Thro’ eternal ages let His praises ring; “Glory in the highest!”

I will shout and sing,

Standing on the promises of God.

Praising You for Your “great and precious promises” to Your children in Christ!

Standing, standing,
Standing on the promises of God, my Savior; 

Standing, standing,
I’m standing on the promises of God.

Blessed are those who dwell in your house,
    ever singing your praise! Selah (Ps. 84:4 ESV).

Ever singing Your praise, today and every day, until my days are eternal ones with my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. In the name of Christ, my King, the LORD of hosts, amen and amen.

Material adapted from Praying God’s Promises Into Suffering: A Devotional Bible Study Prayer Journal, Lauri A. Hogle, © 2023

Sing-praying God’s promises into suffering

Sister in Christ, I’m sing-praying His promises into my own suffering and upcoming brain surgery, as He continues to transform us both into Christ-likeness, in it all. No matter what happens in our earthly lives, His promises are true because God is trustworthy, and His Word is always true. His promises will come true and many already have!

Patterned after this new book’s “lament” prayer journaling structure for our suffering, this week’s playlist gift sing-prays to Him in order to stand on His promises, crying to Him and ever singing His praise as we trust Him, over and over. Into each difficult moment. It’s going “from strength to strength,” a “strength that is in You.” It’s a continual need as we walk through the valleys of suffering in our fallen world, isn’t it? But I’m continually learning again right now…it’s a “standing” held up, embraced, carried, just as He promises to do for each of us as He leads us through the valley.

If you’d like to join me in this journey, sing-praying truths of God’s Word as you suffer, see below for resources that might help, including the brand-new prayer book.