Restoring Your Joy After Hard News - Your Nightly Prayer - June 12th

Jennifer Slattery

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Your Nightly Prayer

Restoring Your Joy After Hard News
Your Nightly Prayer

TONIGHT’S SCRIPTURE

"The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth." - Psalm 145:18

SOMETHING TO PONDER

While I’d never ask to suffer, I can look back on some of my most painful seasons with gratitude, not for the hardship itself, but for the closeness I experienced with Christ. Years ago, a phone conversation with an extended family member left me gutted. It wasn’t just the words this person spoke. The hurt I experienced in that moment was intensified by the reminders that flooded my mind of similar encounters that, combined, conveyed a message my heart didn’t want to receive. Overwhelmed by a grief so deep, my heart literally hurt, I went for a drive. I wasn’t heading anywhere in particular. I think I was probably trying to escape my pain. I also didn’t want my family to hear the deep chest sobs. But even more than that, I needed to get alone with God. It was raining so hard that, along with my tears, it blurred my vision, forcing me to pull onto the shoulder of the road. And there I sat, crying out to God in pain and confusion, desperate for the comfort only Christ can give. He met me there, not with words or supernatural guidance on how to deal with the situation. That would come. But what I ached for most in that moment, and what He gave me, was Him. His presence felt tangible that day; His love surrounded me like a much-needed hug, a strong and protective embrace.

Perhaps you’ve been there. Maybe that’s where you’re at now—struggling to make sense of news that could literally change everything, and you’re fighting to catch your breath, let alone hold onto faith. If so, may the truth in tonight’s verse comfort your soul. The Lord is near, whether you feel His presence or not. Because sometimes, when grief hits, anxiety rises, and our thoughts start to spiral, it can feel nearly impossible to feel anything beyond our inner chaos. But Scripture promises, in those moments especially, your Father is near—closer than the breath catching in your throat. He made a similar vow in Psalm 34:18, which says that He is near the brokenhearted and rescues those crushed in spirit. Because He loves you. If you’re hurting tonight, may you rest in that truth.

May you rest in Him, knowing He has good plans for you, even now. He’s the God of the breakthrough, of reconciliation, and redemption, able to cause springs to gush in deserts, to shatter your darkness with His life-giving light, and to exchange ashes for beauty. One day, He will turn your mourning into dancing and your tears into laughter. He promised that, and He always keeps His word. So trust Him to bring good from tonight’s pain, in His perfect timing. But for now, simply rest in His embrace and experience the comfort of being held.

YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER

Father,
Thank You for Your gentle presence and the assurance that I’m never alone. You see my pain and everything weighing on my heart tonight. You don’t just witness my grief; You feel it with me. You are the God who sees me, knows me, loves me, has good plans for me, and will never leave me. As I give space for my sorrow, and feel its intensity with You, speak words of comfort and assurance to my soul. Remind me that my tears won’t last forever. Eventually, the clouds will lift, and the storm will clear. And I will rise up from the rubble, changed. Stronger, for having experienced this time with You. Hold me close tonight and grant me sleep, knowing I’ll do so safe beneath Your protective gaze.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.

THREE THINGS TO MEDITATE UPON

You don’t have to earn God’s presence or beg Him to turn to you. According to James 4:8, He moves closer the moment you take that first step toward Him. Prior, actually. The very fact that you long for His nearness is evidence that He’s already moving toward you.
God’s faithfulness isn’t dependent on yours. When difficulties hit, and you’re hurting, it’s normal to wonder if you’ve done something wrong or upset God in some way. But Christ bore any punishment you might deserve when He died on the cross. The moment you trusted in Him for salvation, you received His favor, because of what Jesus did on your behalf. While that probably won’t eradicate your pain, it becomes easier to bear when it’s not loaded with shame or confusion.
Humans might not have always responded well to your pain. Because of that, you may have received callous platitudes that, in essence, told you to simply ‘choose joy’. But notice that’s not the message the Lord conveyed in tonight’s verse. He doesn’t dismiss your sorrow or condemn you for it. Instead, He meets you in it, with His grace, assuring you that you never cry one tear alone.

Reflect on tonight’s prayer and share how God met you there. Join the Your Nightly Prayer discussion on the Crosswalk Forum.
Photo Credit: ©Unsplash/Christopher Sardegna

Jennifer Slattery is a writer and speaker who co-hosts the Faith Over Fear podcast and, along with a team of 6, the Your Daily Bible Verse podcast. She’s addressed women’s groups, Bible studies, and taught at writers conferences across the nation. She’s the author of Building a Family and numerous other titles and maintains a devotional blog at JenniferSlatteryLivesOutLoud.com.

She’s passionate about helping people experience Christ’s freedom in all areas of their lives. Visit her online to learn more about her speaking or to book her for your next women’s event, and sign up for her free quarterly newsletter HERE and make sure to connect with her on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and GodTube.

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