Grief’s shock. Another loss? Affecting children, grandchildren? Emotion’s waves and storms. Exponential, thickening layers of pain. Overwhelmed. Darkness threatens to stifle joy and hope.
May this prayer be His rest in the gospel if you are also grieving losses.
As I suffer, in my unrest, rest in the gospel
Thy love to me, O God,
not mine, O Lord, to thee,
can rid me of this dark unrest,
and set my spirit free.
(“Not What These Hands Have Done,” Bonar, H., 1864)
As I suffer, rest in the gospel, with no condemnation
Abba Father,
In the throes of suffering’s pain and losses, it’s so easy to read or hear condemning ideas, twisting Your Word’s truth. These lies so easily make me afraid of You, as if You were a tyrant, or that my sin or something I’ve done has brought on this suffering. These are lies of Your enemy, wanting nothing more than for me to turn away from You in my losses. I need Your help, so I’m turning to You instead. Remind me of Your gospel truth today.
Not what my hands have done
can save my guilty soul;
not what my toiling flesh has borne
can make my spirit whole.
As I suffer, I’m completely forgiven. The gospel is rest!
Because of what Jesus Christ has done for me as my Redeemer and Great High Priest, by Your great grace in the faith You’ve gifted to me as Your beloved child, I’m completely forgiven of all my sin, past/present/future. The gospel is rest…and peace…amid the losses.
I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more (Heb. 10:17 ESV).
Thy work alone, O Christ,
can ease this weight of sin;
thy blood alone, O Lamb of God,
can give me peace within.
So, as I suffer, re-turn me to the cross of Jesus
Help me to continually walk in repentance as You gently reveal my sin, turning to Jesus and the cross where He bore my sin and shame, suffering loss upon loss in His earthly life. Rest me safe, under Your wings.
Test me, O Lord, and try me; examine my heart and mind (Ps. 26:2 BSB).
When you were dead in your trespasses and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our trespasses, having canceled the debt ascribed to us in the decrees that stood against us. He took it away, nailing it to the cross! (Col. 2:13-14 BSB)
As I suffer, keep me from despair and help me endure BY resting in the gospel
Keep me from weakening, stewing, and paralyzing fear! I can hardly think right now, tears springing often. Keep me from self-pity in the overwhelm, for my burdens aren’t unusual for a Christian.
We were under a burden far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life (2 Cor. 1:18 BSB).
Not what I feel or do
can give me peace with God;
not all my prayers and sighs and tears
can bear my awful load.
“The stairway of grief is never without its passengers, and at their head is he whose name is ‘A man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.’ In the great company of saints are many who know my loss, many who carry a great burden, many who walk with a pronounced limp. And at the head of us all is the bent and broken form of a man carrying a heavy cross” (Charles H. Spurgeon, sermon April 14, 1889).
As I suffer, yoke me to Jesus who willingly suffered in my place
Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light (Mt. 11:28-30 BSB).
Oh precious Jesus, the gospel IS rest…for my weary and burdened soul, emotions, and body!
Thy grace alone, O God,
to me can pardon speak;
thy pow’r alone, O Son of God,
can this sore bondage break.
As I suffer, help me to battle lies by resting in Your gospel promises, all now my own!
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you go through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched; the flames will not set you ablaze (Is. 43:2 BSB).
He redeemed us in order that the blessing promised to Abraham would come to the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit (Gal. 3:14 BSB).
No other work, save thine,
no other blood will do;
no strength, save that which is divine,
can bear me safely through…
Thank You, Abba Father. In the name of my Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Material adapted from Praying God’s Promises Into Suffering: A Devotional Bible Study Prayer Journal, Lauri A. Hogle, © 2023
As I suffer, songs help me wield the sword of the Spirit!
Sister in Christ, my last two months have held so much overwhelming grief, loss, and pain that it’s been utterly beyond my ability to endure and manage needed tasks. How I praise our Lord for His grace in all the songs He gives to help us sing His Word’s truths, gospel promises to those in Christ, the sword of the Spirit. It’s our Ephesians 6 offensive weapon as He brings songs to mind…and helps us rest in the gospel within our every need.
Would you like the weekly worship music playlists He’s giving me to endure suffering, with His amazing grace of strengthened hope, faith, and joy in Christ, into my own tears? If this would help you too, sign up below, and let’s both be encouraged by our Lord…together!
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
Publishing April 7, 2026!
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