Prayer in the Midst of Discouragement

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace.
In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.
– Jesus, John 16:33

The children’s song says, “I'm in-right out-right up-right down-right happy all the time.” It has a clever melody and fun motions to go with it, but there’s a major problem: It’s not true.

Jesus was very clear about our experience in life. It is filled with sorrow and suffering. He reminds us, “each day has enough trouble of its own” (Matthew 6:34, NASB).

A caution: Don’t move too quickly to the “right” answer. Sit for a moment on the problem, the tribulation, the trouble. You may be there right now. The sorrow and stress may be so deep it’s hard to breathe and keep going.

I fear we sometimes miss the important first step that David describes in Psalm 142:1-2.

With my voice I cry out to the Lord;
with my voice I plead for mercy to the Lord.
I pour out my complaint before him;
I tell my trouble before him.

Express your pain loudly…with your voice. Cry…plead…pour out…tell. Face your discouragement head-on and first go to the One who can calm your soul. Go to Him with your pain. Don’t smile and pretend to be “happy all the time,” but rather be truly honest with yourself and Him.

Make some time today. Take the first step toward help. Take your discouragement to “the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4). You will find His peace will come.

Chris Tornquist

Chris is a graduate of Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, Deerfield, IL (M.Div.) and has served as a pastor in churches in the Midwest. Chris and his wife Marty have been married for nearly 40 years. Chris currently teaches the Fundamentals of the Faith class and serves in the Prayer Ministry here at Faith Bible Church.

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