Thursday Prayer: The Mystery of Suffering

Lord, you understand suffering intimately - you're acquainted with grief, familiar with sorrow, well-versed in pain. You don't promise to explain every trial, but you promise to be present in each one. In the mystery of suffering, your love remains the only constant I can count on.

Pain has been my unwelcome companion today, and I don't understand why. I've asked "why" until my voice is hoarse and still have no answers that satisfy. I've wrestled with you like Jacob, demanding blessing from what feels like curse. I can't make sense of suffering, but maybe that's not my job. Thank you for being with me in the valley even when you don't immediately lead me out, for weeping with those who weep, for working good from even the worst circumstances.

Help me trust your heart when I can't understand your ways. Give me faith to believe you're good even when life isn't, hope to see beyond present pain to future purpose. When suffering tries to teach me that you don't care, let your presence prove otherwise. Tonight, I don't need to understand - I just need to know you're here. You are close to the brokenhearted, and my heart knows that's true.