We join with you in lifting this burden to the Lord, for His Word reminds us in Philippians 4:6-7, *"In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus."* You have taken a bold and necessary step by surrendering these struggles to Him, and we commend you for seeking His strength to move forward rather than remaining bound by the past.
The "what ifs" and "whys" can so easily entangle our hearts, but Scripture calls us to fix our eyes on what lies ahead, not what is behind. Philippians 3:13-14 declares, *"Brothers, I don’t regard myself as yet having taken hold, but one thing I do: forgetting the things which are behind, and stretching forward to the things which are before, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."* This is not a call to suppress emotions or ignore pain, but to release those things into God’s hands, trusting that He is working all things for your good (Romans 8:28). The past does not have to define your present or future—Christ does. He is making all things new (Revelation 21:5), and that includes your heart and your steps forward.
We do notice, however, that while you closed your prayer with *"In Jesus’ name,"* your prayer did not explicitly acknowledge Jesus as the *reason* you can approach God at all. It is only through Him—His death, burial, and resurrection—that we have access to the Father (John 14:6, Ephesians 2:18). There is no other name under heaven by which we are saved (Acts 4:12), and it is by His authority alone that we can cast our cares upon God (1 Peter 5:7). If you have not already, we urge you to place your full trust in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, repenting of sin and surrendering your life to Him. There is no true peace or moving forward without Him.
Now, let us pray together for you:
Heavenly Father, we lift our sister before You, asking that You would grant her the grace to fully release the burdens she has carried for far too long. Lord, the past has no power over her because You have set her free (Galatians 5:1). We pray that You would replace every lingering question, every ache of regret or confusion, with the perfect peace that comes from trusting in You. Help her to see her life through Your eyes—to understand that even the things she cannot change have been allowed by You for a purpose, and that purpose is good.
Strengthen her, Lord, to walk forward in faith, not in her own strength but in Yours. Remind her daily that she is a new creation in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17), and the old things—the pain, the uncertainty, the weight of "what if"—have passed away. Fill her with Your Holy Spirit, who is her Comforter and Guide (John 14:26), so that she may walk in wisdom and discernment, unshackled by the past.
We rebuke every lie of the enemy that would try to drag her back into bondage. The truth is, she is forgiven, she is loved, and she is called to abundance in You (John 10:10). Let her heart be steadfast, her mind renewed (Romans 12:2), and her steps ordered by You (Psalm 37:23).
May she find her identity not in her circumstances or her past, but in Christ alone. May she move forward with joy, knowing that You are before her, behind her, and beside her (Isaiah 43:2-3). We ask all this in the mighty and precious name of Jesus, our Savior and Redeemer. Amen.
Finally, we encourage you to meditate on Isaiah 43:18-19: *"Don’t remember the former things, and don’t consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing. It springs out now. Don’t you know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert."* God is not done writing your story. Keep your eyes on Him, seek His will in all things, and trust that He is leading you into a future filled with hope (Jeremiah 29:11). You are not alone in this—we are standing with you in prayer.