Let It Rise: Sacred Ingredients for a Life of PrayerSample

Enough Is Enough Have you ever walked through a time when a loved one or close friend betrayed you? It could have even been someone who doesn’t know you well. Accusations were thrown about in casual conversation against you. How about when who you are and what you do were mocked as insincere or self-serving? You may very well have your own story of being on the receiving end of an emotional and spiritual injustice at the hands of a trusted one. Ouch! From grade school playground bullying to adult social media harassment, arrows are always flying, looking for a target on which to land. Even Jesus dealt with interpersonal turmoil. His family didn’t understand His calling. His disciples abandoned Him. The people He came for rejected Him and ultimately crucified Him. “Release Barabbas to us!” they shouted on the fateful day when Pontius Pilate had an eternal decision to make. Healing can only begin when we acknowledge we are hurt— hurt to the degree we are not ourselves. As we recognize the signs of isolation, depression, anger, anxiety, loss of sleep, and so on, we must be willing to open the wound, address it honestly, and give God opportunities to heal us body, soul, and spirit. Here are three steps the Holy Spirit walked me through into the fullness of God’s healing: 1\. Self-Pity Do not allow the spirit of self-pity to take root. Know that God is your Defender. He is for you, not against you. He is your refuge and strong tower. Instead of nurturing the offense, I turned to the One who took my offense for me. I changed my focus. I did not deny the hurt, pain, and injustice; rather, I chose to focus on God rescuing and healing my heartache and deep disappointment. 2\. The Right Question You may be familiar with the question Jesus asked Peter: “Who do you say I am?” (Matthew 16:15 NIV). In the most loving and wonderful way, God turned that question on me. And He had me ask the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, “Who do You say I am?” Little by little. Scripture by Scripture. Through the Holy Spirit’s whispers and God’s voice speaking through others, I began to replace words that wounded, with words that healed. Words meant to destroy gave way to words meant to bring life. Accusations targeted at tearing down bowed to affirmations that built me up. This spiritual exercise was not just something I needed to go through for healing. Rather, God used this time to build into my spirit a strength, a joy, and a knowing that He is enough. And I’m enough for Him. Enough is enough! 3\. Prayer Partners Ask God for trusted prayer partners who don’t seek to counsel, fix, minimize, or amplify the situation. These are people who don’t say words merely to make you feel better. No, they go to God on your behalf and ask, “Father, how would You have me pray?” Then they come back with dagger-removers wrapped around Scripture. My healing began by acknowledging to myself that there were daggers. I could no longer deny the hurt that is often accompanied by righteous anger. I had to be willing to open the wound so it could heal. This can be complicated, and depending on the who, how, what, where, and when, your healing may require the help of a professional counselor. What I’ve shared here are not the only ways to heal from a wounded spirit, but they are prayer principles foundational to gaining and keeping your spiritual health.