How to pray through heartbreak
There is good news in here, I promise
This one is a bit of a touchy subject because…up until the past year or so…I think I was living in a space of heartbreak.
It didn’t manifest itself as me moping around all the time and being sad.
It manifested itself in the form of constant bitterness and a whole lot of coasting through my daily routines.
I was working on my business, I was working on my books, I was getting involved in church, but that was about it…I just…was…
Looking back at 2022, I don’t remember a ton of details of all the mundane things I’ve done. And I don’t think I enjoyed spending time with my wife and kids as much as I have since 2023.
I don’t think I’ve enjoyed my work as much as I have in 2023.
And it stems from the heartbreak of no longer doing what I felt called to do (such as being in vocational ministry). And then, I was making money and doing things in my own business…but I wasn’t feeling fulfilled.
And then I launched my book on The Lord’s Prayer in paperback in December of 2022. (and, hey, I’d love for you to check it out as well as the journals that go alongside it)
And that was when my work started to feel worth it.
But, during that period of heartbreak…my prayers definitely felt lackluster.
And it was The Lord’s Prayer, the words I could pray when the rest of me didn’t feel “in it” that kept me going and practicing prayer.
Today alone I have probably recited The Lord’s Prayer at least 5 or 6 times.
It has become a regular rhythm that has drastically affected the way I pray and do a lot of things. And it all started during the time when I was praying through utter heartbreak (because I felt like I was a failure, like I couldn’t provide for my family, etc.).
The practice and discipline of prayer, even when my heart wasn’t in it, was more important than “feeling it” and trying to make myself “feel it.”
My prayer for today
Our Father, help us pray and talk with you even when we don’t feel like it. Spirit, give us the ability to recall these repetitive prayers to pray even when we can’t pray on our own. Amen.
Remember
Memorizing prayers can be a powerful tool for your prayer life. I highly recommend checking out Prayers In the 2020s for a collection of prayers you can pray when you need to or just want to start memorizing.