5 Daily Prayers for Physical and Emotional Healing
Prayer
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By Vivian Bricker, Crosswalk.com
After we have gone through physical or emotional trauma, it can be hard to heal. Whether we were harmed physically by someone who was supposed to protect us or we were emotionally harmed through hateful words from a loved one, it can drastically negatively change our lives. Going through physical or emotional trauma is something I wish nobody ever had to go through, as it can make you unsure of yourself, others, your safety, and your future. If you have gone through physical or emotional trauma, it is essential to reach out to a professional to get the help that you need and deserve.
Many people postpone healing because they don’t want to discuss what happened. This is entirely understandable because rehashing trauma can bring up many unwanted memories. While reading Jill Duggar’s memoir, “Counting the Cost,” I noticed how often she cut off stories without telling the ending. After much thought, she cut off stories because it was too traumatizing to write about. The physical and emotional trauma that she went through changed her life for the worse, and all she wanted was to escape it.
I feel most people who have gone through trauma also experience these same feelings. They want to forget it ever happened and make it all go away. I wish I could do this for every trauma survivor, but sadly, I cannot. Everyone who has gone through physical or emotional trauma needs to talk with God in prayer, allow Him to be their comfort, and also reach out to a trauma-informed therapist. As you do all these things, make some time to lift your heart in prayer with these five daily prayers for physical and emotional healing.
1. A Prayer for Safety
After a person has gone through physical or emotional abuse or trauma, they are not going to feel very safe in their daily life. Rather than feeling like they can go to the grocery store or shop, they are bombarded with memories. As much as our minds can help us, sometimes they can act as a messenger of torture. If a person goes through a traumatic experience, this is all too common, and it can feel at times as though you are losing your mind.
A very close friend of mine went through physical and emotional trauma, which left him feeling very unsafe in most circumstances. When we talked one day, he told me that he never feels safe and always waits for the other shoe to drop. I also noticed subtle ways his PTSD showed up in his life, such as getting easily startled by loud noises, always having to sit somewhere he could see the exit, or getting headaches when there were too many people around. If you have also gone through trauma like my friend has, know my heart goes out to you because I know it is not easy to face these kinds of feelings, thoughts, fears, and emotions daily.
Whenever you start having fears of safety roll into your mind, turn to the Lord in prayer. He hears your prayers and will surround you with songs of deliverance (Psalm 32:7). God is more powerful and stronger than anyone else. You are safe in His hands (Psalm 91:3-16; 121:7-8). Trust Him today and go to Him in prayer.
Prayer: “Dear Jesus, due to my physical and emotional trauma, I feel unsafe. There are days when I’m too afraid to leave my house. Please protect me and surround me with your safety. You are my beloved God, whose love knows no bounds. Please protect me and keep me safe. I trust in You, Lord. Amen.”
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2. A Prayer for Comfort
Once a person needs physical and emotional healing, they will also need comfort. However, it is not just the comfort of a warm blanket. They also need the comfort of loved ones and, most of all, the comfort of God. When a person goes through trauma, they will need to take extra measures to ensure proper healing. Therapy, talking with others, and getting involved in other hobbies can give you the comfort you need.
Sit in a comfortable area and talk with the Lord about your heart needs. Ask Him to be your comfort and give you the peace you need. The Apostle Paul tells us, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7). Give your concerns to God through prayer and petition, and His peace will comfort you.
Prayer: “Dear God, please let your peace and comfort wash over me. I need your comfort today and every day. My trauma has led me to a place where I don’t feel comfortable anymore. Revive my heart and my spirit. I give you all my worries, concerns, stressors, and past. In Your Son’s Name, I pray, Amen.”
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3. A Prayer for a Healthy Support System
Healing from trauma will not happen without a healthy support system. It can be tempting to self-isolate, but it will not truly help you. The fear and uncertainty will only grow worse inside of you. Connect with a support system that will genuinely be there for you. Maybe this is your family, a group of friends from college, or your spouse. You can go around with these individuals and use the buddy system wherever you go.
The buddy system is often utilized by those affected by trauma because it acts as a source of comfort, protection, support, and stability. If you don’t have any supportive people, ask the Lord to help you be led to these individuals. If you have a few supportive people in your life, ask the Lord to make them your support system. Tell them also about the buddy system and how you would like them to do things with you and provide you with the security you need.
Prayer: “Dear Jesus, I ask You to help me find a healthy support system. After everything I have gone through, I need a support system to be there. I praise You, and You have always been my support system. Even if I don’t have anyone else, I know I have you, Jesus. Bless me with your support, and help my loved ones be my support system. In Your Name, I pray, Amen.”
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4. A Prayer to Feel Like Yourself Again
Trauma has a way of changing individuals as it can make them feel far from themselves. Ever since my mom passed away, I haven’t been the same. I don’t have the same love for life anymore because she is gone, and she won’t ever see all the things that will happen in my life anymore. This has changed my life for the worse, and sometimes, I’m not sure if I will ever feel like I did before her passing. A piece of myself died with her, and it won’t return during this lifetime.
Some parts of us might die after physical or emotional pain, but we don’t need to give up on the healing process. Maybe we won’t feel exactly like we did before the problem, trauma, or death we faced, but we can get as close to normal as we can. It could be that our normal will look a bit different from what it did before. God can help us get to this point as we continue to turn to Him, seek Him out, and trust in Him.
Prayer: “Dear God, I don’t feel like myself anymore ever since the pain I went through. I so badly want to feel like myself again. Please help me reach as close to this as possible, God. I know you are good and you can do all things. Please bring me healing like only You can. Amen.”
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5. A Prayer to Be Happy Once Again
Physical and emotional pain, abuse, or trauma can leave individuals feeling they will never be happy again. They feel on edge and as though their life is hopeless. While this is a familiar feeling for those who have gone through trauma, they need to know that they can be happy again, and this is because of the Lord. Every day you choose healing, you are working toward happiness. The trauma might raise its head occasionally, but healing is possible because of the Lord (Isaiah 41:10; Matthew 19:26).
Continue to cultivate your life and live in the freedom of Jesus’ love. What you have gone through is traumatic, so be easy on yourself. Extend yourself grace and don’t be so hard on yourself throughout the day. Be kind to yourself, allow yourself to rest, and learn to be okay with the idea of being happy again. Don’t believe the lie that you won’t be happy again. You will get to the right place with the right people one day, and all light will finally come in.
Prayer: “Dear Jesus, I have often doubted my ability to be happy again. After everything I have gone through, it can feel next to impossible. Please give me hope and help me to be happy again. Please help me extend kindness and grace to myself rather than hatred. I give all my fears, worries, and concerns to you. I know you will help me to reach healing and truly walk in the light of life again. I praise You, Lord. Amen.”
Related Resource: You Already Have the Key: How God Often Reveals Who We Are by Reminding Us of Who He Is
Depression, anxiety, and emotional trauma are on the rise, even more so after the painful few years we’ve all been through. While the church has had an unfortunate track record of glossing over mental health issues, Paul Daugherty, pastor of the megachurch Victory and today’s guest on the podcast, believes it’s time for the church to break its silence. You can’t just pray trauma away. Depression and anxiety can affect even the most devoted believer. Therefore, in today’s conversation, Paul sits down with hosts, Zach & Josh, to share his own story of walking through anxiety and depression, helping others understand how frightening and debilitating mental health struggles can be, and talking vulnerably about the highs and lows of his healing journey. If you like what you hear, be sure to subscribe to The Built Different Podcast on Apple, Spotify or YouTube so you never miss an episode!
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