A Prayer About Crisis

When my peace is suddenly interrupted

DEAR GOD,

Awakening, preparing for my day, and then moving through it with my usual duties and responsibilities, I thought I had a pretty good idea of what would happen next, especially since everything seemed normal, fine, calm, and routine. Then suddenly I was blindsided—the phone call and subsequent e-mails out of nowhere, with news I never expected and certainly didn’t want. I was turned upside down—a promising day turned into disaster. I was confused, hurting, and left to do damage control. My feelings fluctuated between anguish and anger, and my next steps seemed unclear and unsteady. I feel like David, Lord, “alone and in deep distress.” And I, too, plead for your rescue and refuge. First, I desperately need your peace in the moment—calm my spirit and assure me of your presence. I also need your direction and guidance for my next decision and response. What should I do next? Who can I enlist to help? And I need hope for the future. Please, Lord, I need to get through this—with you—and to honor you in the process.

Turn to me and have mercy, for I am alone and in deep distress. My problems go from bad to worse. Oh, save me from them all! Feel my pain and see my trouble. . . . Protect me! Rescue my life from them! Do not let me be disgraced, for in you I take refuge. May integrity and honesty protect me, for I put my hope in you. Psalm 25:16-18, 20-21