When You Feel Hurt By God, How Do You Pray? (Come As You Are)

A friend died a few days ago.

Someone I loved.

My heart has been wounded by it.

Anguish about the loss. Sorrow for his wife, his children. And. . .for me.

I have felt all the normal feelings that are part of the grieving process:

denial – “He can’t be dead. There must be some mistake.”
anger – “Why did this have to happen? Why?”
emptiness – “I feel so empty inside.”
loneliness – “I miss my friend so much!”
hopelessness – “I will never see him again in this life.”
depression – a loss of energy. . .and joy. . .and motivation. Just, a profound sadness.

I have to admit, I have felt hurt. Hurt. . .by God.

So what do I do? And how do I pray? How would you pray?

This is what I did. This is how I prayed.

I told God how I felt – and it wasn’t pretty. (You think He didn’t know anyway? Why try to hide it?)

I shared my gut feelings of disappointment with God. Of His ways. His timing. Even. . .His goodness. I questioned how His actions toward His people sometimes seem – dare I say it? – cruel.

I wasn’t blaspheming God. I wasn’t being disrespectful. I was just being honest.

And I am so certain that this is exactly what He wanted. What He always wants. From me. From you. From everyone.

Honesty. . .complete honesty.

Coming. . .as we are.

Coming. . .not with words we don’t mean. Not saying one thing with our lips but another with our heart. Not trying to be good or religious or acceptable. Not acting, not pretending, not with charades. He hates all that.

God wants our hearts. . .just as they are.

So, when you feel hurt by God, how do you pray?

Yes, just come. . .come as you are.

Earth has no sorrow that Heaven cannot heal.

Yes, God can heal our wounded hearts. But we have to come. . .come as we are.

“Come As You Are” Lyrics by David Crowder

Come out of sadness
From wherever you’ve been
Come broken hearted
Let rescue begin
Come find your mercy
Oh sinner come kneel
Earth has no sorrow
That heaven can’t heal
Earth has no sorrow
That heaven can’t heal

So lay down your burdens
Lay down your shame
All who are broken
Lift up your face
Oh wanderer come home
You’re not too far
So lay down your hurt
Lay down your heart
Come as you are

There’s hope for the hopeless
And all those who’ve strayed
Come sit at the table
Come taste the grace
There’s rest for the weary
Rest that endures
Earth has no sorrow
That heaven can’t cure

So lay down your burdens
Lay down your shame
All who are broken
Lift up your face
Oh wanderer come home
You’re not too far
So lay down your hurt
Lay down your heart
Come as you are
Come as you are
Fall in his arms
Come as you are
There’s joy for the morning
Oh sinner be still
Earth has no sorrow
That heaven can’t heal
Earth has no sorrow
That heaven can’t heal

So lay down your burdens
Lay down your shame
All who are broken
Lift up your face
Oh wanderer come home
You’re not too far
So lay down your hurt
Lay down your heart
Come as you are
Come as you are
Come as you are