The Bible tells us in Philippians 4:6: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” In verse 7, it then gives us a promise if we do that: “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” That’s a pretty difficult place to come to when you’re in the midst of a crisis. I know. I’ve been there! But it’s important to learn how to pray in the midst of a crisis.
When I’ve applied this principle and have prayed —especially if I’ve prayed through the scriptures, somehow God brings a peace which is hard to describe.
It’s not that the circumstances will instantaneously change, or ever change. But somehow peace within one’s heart eventually comes. And along with it comes wisdom (as it is asked for) to do what would be best concerning all that is going on at the time. The crisis within, somehow changes and there is hope.
How to Pray in the Midst of a Crisis
So how do you do that? How do you pray —what do you pray, when you’re in a crisis? How do you do that when your mind is filled with racing thoughts? There doesn’t seem to be any way to quiet the commotion within. I’ve found if I haven’t been able to quiet my mind enough to know how to pray and what to pray, I pray through the scriptures. I look for a quiet place to sit for a while. There, I open my Bible to the book of Psalms.
I then find a place to start and read a verse or two. I pray for whatever and whomever comes to mind. And I do this until I know it’s time to go on and read the next verse to do the same thing.
There is often a struggle that goes on within. My thoughts want to take me where I know it’s not healthy to dwell. So I do all I can to throw out the garbage that is coming in. Sometimes I have to do this over and over again until they go away. Then with intentionality, I direct my thoughts to God’s thoughts. These are thoughts that are written in the Word.
Eventually, I find the Holy Spirit leading me through the process. He brings peace as I follow His leading in praying through the scriptures.
How to Pray and When
Sometimes I’ll just pray for a few minutes. That is because that’s all the time I have available. Other times I’m able to sit for an hour or even several hours at a stretch. There are times when I’ll pray through the whole evening into the morning. I will do this until a sense of peace comes upon my heart. This is when I know deep within that the Lord and I have connected somehow.
Sometimes the scripture you come across, will bring to mind something else to pray for, other than the immediate crisis you are facing. If so, pray for whatever and whoever comes to mind. Eventually, you’ll experience the peace God promises in the above scripture. That’s not my promise —it’s God’s so I know it will happen!
With that said, I’d like to lead you to an article, written by David Sanford. In this piece, his goal is to lead you to pray in a specific way that you might also find helpful. It’s not the method that’s important, but the connection you have with our Living Lord. To read the article, please click onto the Epm.org link below:
• HOW TO PRAY IN THE MIDST OF CRISIS
But what if you are struggling to pray? Brie Barrier Wetherbee addresses this issue. Read:
• WHEN YOU JUST CAN’T PRAY ANYMORE
— ALSO —
Whitney Hopler gives practical applications of Stormie Omartian’s book, The Power of Prayer(TM) to Change Your Marriage
• TRANSFORM YOUR MARRIAGE THROUGH THE POWER OF PRAYER
Cindy Wright of Marriage Missions International wrote this article.
If you have additional tips you can share, please “Join the Discussion” by adding your comments below.
Filed under: Spiritual Matters
(AFRICA) I am really going through a crisis right now. My husband and I separated on Christmas Eve last year. I moved out as I had no other choice due to hurtful circumstances. One month down the line, he was found with a lady in the house who he kept for a week.
He can’t talk to me except to tell me off and that I should get a life.
It has been difficult to pray. Thank you for this article as it gives insight on how to pray. I love my husband and I want him back. Is it possible for my husband to fall out of love in an instant – after 9 years of marriage? I know I hurt him, and I have asked for forgiveness many times. I really don’t know what else to do. We have no child together, but I have one from a different relationship.
My child is greatly affected and she seems to blame it on me. We are facing a lot of problems and keep crying both of us. Could somone please pray for the restoration of my marriage? It does hurt. It cuts like a knife.
Hi Dee, I’m going through so much in a similar situation. You touched my heart and I will be praying for you.
(AFRICA) My hubby can’t still pick my calls. I am so anxious and so lost in prayer. My mind is so saturated, I don’t know what to do. I have mixed emotions right now. Everything seems to fall out of place. At some point I came to understand why people commit suicide because I can’t think straight. I need prayers please. It does hurt so much.
(USA) I need prayer my spouse is committing adultery. He does not talk to me without verbally bieng abusive, mocking or saying he hates me. He has not touched or kissed me in months. I am tired of rejection. We have no sex life. I want to be intimate but he does not want me anymore. I do not ask anymore b/c he get vebally abusive if I do. I have given up on my marriage. I have been praying for years and I only see things worse and on a roller coaster.
We have 2 kids so I am sticking it out. But I miss being with someone who loves me expecially since all my family lives in another country. Pray for my husband to love me again.
(KENYA) I am really going through a very difficult time as my wife of four years packed her bags and left three months ago and says she will not return. She is now in a relationship with her work mate who has been in love with her for almost one year now. She seems to be the one pushing this man into it.
We have no child together but she has one child whom she had before we got married. I love her but the outside influence is killing our relationship. Please pray for me that God intervenes so that she is not consumed by the world as she is a born again child of God. It sincerely hurts to be in such a situation.
(PHILIPPINES) For Dee, you are not alone in your situation. What differs is that I’ve not yet learned if he has brought a woman again into our conjugal home after I left since June of this year. We were in a 30 year marriage when it finally fall apart. 2008 was the first time of his infidelity, (but many questions that came to my mind if that was his first). We were eventually living together in one roof like boarders.
He was distant and I’ve sacrificed… but I sensed that he has put no effort into putting our relationship back into its original shape. Instead he became so violent. When I recall things, he has done that hurt me so, so much… he was a great liar… and not only in terms of womanizing but all other things involving in family issues… and he is insensitive of my feelings… as if I’m not existing.
Slowly I accepted the fact that there is no love anymore in his heart for our relationship, and we cannot force someone to do it. Until this year I sensed and observed and I received text messages, which I’m positive came from a woman. But still there were denials when I’d ask… and it muddled our already rocky relationship. I suffered great pain in my chest, always crying and we always had heated arguments and I sensed him enjoying my pain and crying…. even when I vomited blood.
My doctor said my immune system was very low… and no other reason for it, but my depression. I can’t sleep, my work has been affected, but the most affected was my health. This time I remembered the advice of my late mom when she was still alive.. if you vomit blood because of pain… step out of the house and look for a peaceful place for surely you will die. She said that her sister in law died at age 36 long before, because her husband had another woman and she became very depressed.
You know, when I vomit blood… I lost 8 pounds and was very pale. My friends told me that I looked like I was operated on. I just prayed so hard and made the decision of leaving my home as it would surely save my life. Now my life is less stressed, and my health is regaining. My prayer for now is to make my heart to be strong as a stone… to guide me in my daily life. This is because I cannot change the attitude of my husband… I have no power to change him… because many times he promised to be honest but he never was. Hope I’ve shared some thoughts for you Dee.
Pray for Mary, whose husband is very disappointed with her about something that did not happen. Something is wrong, the enemy did. Her husband George does not want to live with her anymore and Mary is desperate and began with suicidal thoughts. Please Jesus heal this beautiful Marriage!
Very helpful tips. Praise be unto God I have read this article. The devil is a liar, he will not destroy my marriage. I’ve invested so much. God has promised in His word that He will rebuke the devourer for my sake. Like a flood, He raises the standard when the enemy comes in. He has restored my peace by faith. My husband loves and cares about me & my children. Whether they have used muti to try win his heart, they have already failed in the name of Jesus of Nazareth. Let all troubled women of God refuse to harbour anger, anxiety in Jesus name. Amen.
Marriage is such a difficult thing. It’s so easy to give up and call it quits. I think if someone truly believes that their marriage is worth it, they will do whatever it takes to make it work. My question is, when you have tried so much and it still doesn’t feel like it’s going anywhere. Still at it’s standing point, when should I give up. It’s hard because ( I ) have been trying quite sometime and my husband pulls himself away. My marriage needs all the help it can get. Please help
My marriage struggles and and off but right now it seems as though it is ending. Please help me pray so that my marriage does not end. My husband is cold, mean, and lacks respects. He is fast to call it quits. He doesn’t care to listen to my feelings and gets upset when I simply ask something, accusing me of nagging and constantly complaining. He refuses to see the damage his family has caused me and though he sees it, he fails to understand me and stand by me like he should. He is rough is his words and actions with me. Perhaps he’s bitter but for things I didn’t cause. He doesn’t show his love. Pray for us.
I’m 86 and the first 60 years were ok except for the pain of divorce. PRAYER will get you through almost anything. I’m not there yet but I’m working on it WITH GOD’S HELP. Saved in 1956.