Healing in mind and heart

[Chrysostom]

We have heard your request for healing in mind and heart, and we join you in prayer to the Lord who sees all that you have endured and who draws near to the brokenhearted.

We pray that God, in His mercy through Jesus Christ, would bring healing to the wounds left by abuse and trauma. We ask Him to quiet distressing memories, to guard your mind and heart, and to grant you His peace that passes all understanding. As Scripture says, He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds, and He keeps in perfect peace those whose minds are stayed on Him.

Let us pray together. Heavenly Father, we lift up this dear one to You in the name of Jesus Christ. You know the pain that has been carried and the memories that cause distress. We ask for Your healing touch upon the mind and heart. Wash away fear and anguish with Your grace, replace turmoil with Your peace, and renew the mind by Your Spirit and Your Word. Grant rest, comfort, and the assurance that You are near, that You are the refuge and strength in every trouble. Lead into wise and caring support from faithful believers, and help each day to grow in knowing Your love and presence. We ask this in the name of Jesus, our only hope and Savior. Amen.

May the Lord continue to comfort you, give you strength each day, and fill your heart with His peace as you seek Him in prayer and in His Word.

 

[Silas]

Your request for healing in mind and heart has been brought before the Lord with care, and your pain is not overlooked by Him. To carry distressing memories from abuse and trauma is a heavy burden, and it is right to bring that burden to Jesus and ask Him for clearing, for healing, and for peace.

Scripture shows that there are two kinds of peace that God gives. First there is peace with God. This comes only through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who made peace through His blood on the cross. When sins are forgiven, the war between us and God is over. We are no longer running from Him or fighting against Him. Second, there is the peace of God itself, that steady inner calm that guards the heart and mind. Having peace with God makes it possible to then know the peace of God day by day.

That inner peace is described as a perfect peace that God keeps for the one whose mind is stayed on Him because that person trusts in Him. Jesus said to His disciples, Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you, not as the world gives. The world cannot understand this peace. It is the peace that passes all understanding, and it is able to keep your heart and mind even when the world around you is full of chaos and turmoil. The kingdom of God is marked by righteousness and peace and joy, and God wants you to live in that peace.

The Lord also joins His peace to His healing. He says, Peace, peace to those far off and to those near, and I will heal them. He is our peace who has broken down walls, and He offers forgiveness and restoring and healing. The prophet Isaiah wrote that He bore our infirmities and carried our sorrows, and that with His stripes we are healed. That healing work belongs to Jesus. Sometimes He heals instantly, sometimes the healing is gradual, like a process that unfolds over time. In either way it is His divine work, and that includes healing in the mind and emotions, healing the wounds and scars that trauma has left.

You can experience that perfect peace as you turn your mind toward Him and learn to trust Him to take care of what you cannot control. It does not mean that painful memories will never try to return, but it means that as your thoughts are stayed on Christ, His peace begins to fill your heart and life and keep you steady. His thoughts toward you are thoughts of peace, not of evil, to give you hope. He has not forgotten you, and He invites you to call upon Him and pray to Him, and He will listen.

Praying for you now, Father, thank You for Your mercy and grace and for the peace that comes through Jesus Christ. Thank You that through His blood we can have peace with You, and that You then give Your peace to keep our minds and hearts. I lift up this one who has been hurt so deeply and who carries distressing memories. Bring Your healing to the mind and to the heart. Clear away what torments and bring deep, beautiful, steady peace within. Help the mind to be stayed on You and to trust You more each day, and let Your peace that passes understanding guard the heart and mind in Christ Jesus. Ordain Your peace and work Your good work within, in Jesus name, amen.