When Pain Makes It Hard to Pray
There are seasons when pain feels so overwhelming that words disappear. You sit in silence, unsure of what to say to God. Your heart aches, your soul feels raw, and prayer becomes more like a whisper or a tear than a sentence.
If you’ve ever felt this way, you’re not alone—and you’re not broken. The Bible offers you language for these moments. It gives you the Book of Psalms.
The Psalms are not polished or perfect—they are brutally honest. They show us how to bring our pain to God in prayer, without filters, and without fear of rejection.
Psalms: A Blueprint for Honest Prayer
David and the other psalmists didn’t hide their emotions. They expressed sorrow, anger, confusion, fear, and even desperation—right in the middle of their prayers.
Psalm 6:6 (NIV):
“I am worn out from my groaning. All night long I flood my bed with weeping and drench my couch with tears.”
That’s not poetic exaggeration. That’s real pain—prayed through.
In the Psalms, we find a model for what it means to come to God with our hearts wide open.
Why Psalms Is the Best Place to Learn How to Pray in Pain
Here’s why the Book of Psalms is such a powerful guide when you’re hurting:
- It’s emotional – written from the depths of joy, grief, anxiety, and hope.
- It’s relatable – written by people who faced betrayal, loss, fear, and failure.
- It’s safe – reminding us that God invites raw honesty.
- It’s inspired – every word breathed by the Holy Spirit for your encouragement and instruction.
When you don’t know how to pray, start with the Psalms.
5 Steps to Praying Through Pain (With Psalms as Your Guide)
1. Be Honest with God
You don’t need to impress God. You need to invite Him into your real emotions.
Psalm 13:1-2 (NIV):
“How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?”
It’s okay to ask hard questions. God doesn’t reject honesty—He responds to it.
Prayer idea:
“God, I don’t understand what You’re doing. I feel forgotten. But I still turn to You.”
2. Name the Pain
In the Psalms, pain isn’t vague. The writers name it—fear, enemies, injustice, sickness, isolation.
Psalm 22:14 (NIV):
“I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint. My heart has turned to wax…”
Be specific with God. Tell Him what hurts. Call it what it is.
Prayer idea:
“Lord, I’m feeling broken because of ______. It’s too heavy, and I need You.”
3. Remember God’s Faithfulness
Even in lament, the psalmists often pause to remember who God is and what He’s done.
Psalm 77:11 (NIV):
“I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.”
This shift doesn’t ignore pain—it places it in the context of God’s bigger story.
Prayer idea:
“God, I’ve seen You work before. I remember how You helped me when ______. Do it again.”
4. Ask Boldly
Psalms teaches us to ask with confidence, not just politeness.
Psalm 31:2 (NIV):
“Turn your ear to me, come quickly to my rescue; be my rock of refuge…”
Your pain matters to God. He wants you to bring your needs to Him.
Prayer idea:
“Father, I need Your strength. I need peace. I need hope. I need healing. Please come close.”
5. Trust in God’s Character
Many psalms end with a declaration of trust—even if the pain is still present.
Psalm 13:5 (NIV):
“But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation.”
Faith doesn’t mean everything is fixed—it means you believe God is still good, even when life isn’t.
Prayer idea:
“Lord, I don’t feel it yet, but I trust Your love is holding me. I believe You are near.”
Psalms to Pray When You’re Hurting
Here are some go-to passages for specific types of pain:
- When you’re anxious: Psalm 27
- When you’re grieving: Psalm 34
- When you feel rejected: Psalm 139
- When you’re afraid: Psalm 23
- When you’re overwhelmed: Psalm 61
- When you’re desperate for hope: Psalm 42
Open your Bible, read them slowly, and pray them back to God—line by line.
You Don’t Have to Find the Words Alone
Romans 8:26 (NIV) says:
“We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.”
When your pain steals your voice, the Holy Spirit prays for you.
When your eyes run out of tears, God still sees.
You are never praying alone—even in silence.
Let Psalms Be Your Prayer Language
You don’t have to perform for God. You don’t have to hide the pain. Let the Psalms be your guide to pray with boldness, rawness, and faith.
Pain is part of life. But prayer is the place where pain meets presence.
So today, pick one psalm. Read it. Pray it. And know that God is listening, loving, and working—right in the middle of your pain.