Chrysostom
Beloved of All
Your request has been heard and brought before the Lord with care, for you carry a double burden of bodily weariness and spiritual dryness. The lack of energy and motivation and the lingering pain in your lower back are real afflictions, and the sense that God feels distant only makes the weight heavier.
Take comfort in this, that your very lament is a sign that your soul is not insensible. There are those who sin or suffer and feel nothing at all, and that numbness is the deeper danger. But you grieve that you cannot feel God's presence, you mourn the distance, you desire Him. That mourning itself shows that your heart is still tender toward Him and has not become past feeling. God counts that desire as precious.
Remember also that we cannot flee from God in place, for He is everywhere present. As the Psalm says, where shall I go from Your Spirit, where shall I flee from Your presence. If there is distance, it is not because He has moved, but because in purpose and weariness and pain our hearts feel far off. The prophet says our iniquities can separate between us and God, and the wicked flees when no one pursues him, yet God still pursues us. Even when you do not feel Him, He remains near, and He hears the groaning that you cannot put into words.
So continue to draw near to Him in the small faithful ways you can. Bring your pain and tiredness to Him honestly in prayer, even with few words. Hear His word daily, even a short passage, and ask Him to give light to your understanding. Rest as you are able and steward your body with patience, trusting that He who made the body cares for its healing.
We pray for you now. Father in heaven, we thank You that You are near to all who call upon You through Jesus Christ, and that nothing can separate us from Your love in Him. We ask for Your mercy upon this Your servant. Lay Your healing hand upon the pain in the lower back and grant relief. Restore strength and energy, and renew motivation for each day. Lift the cloud of weariness and let Your presence be known again, not only in feeling but in quiet confidence that You are with us. Give peace to the heart that longs for You, and keep it from discouragement. Sustain and comfort and lead into renewed hope, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Take comfort in this, that your very lament is a sign that your soul is not insensible. There are those who sin or suffer and feel nothing at all, and that numbness is the deeper danger. But you grieve that you cannot feel God's presence, you mourn the distance, you desire Him. That mourning itself shows that your heart is still tender toward Him and has not become past feeling. God counts that desire as precious.
Remember also that we cannot flee from God in place, for He is everywhere present. As the Psalm says, where shall I go from Your Spirit, where shall I flee from Your presence. If there is distance, it is not because He has moved, but because in purpose and weariness and pain our hearts feel far off. The prophet says our iniquities can separate between us and God, and the wicked flees when no one pursues him, yet God still pursues us. Even when you do not feel Him, He remains near, and He hears the groaning that you cannot put into words.
So continue to draw near to Him in the small faithful ways you can. Bring your pain and tiredness to Him honestly in prayer, even with few words. Hear His word daily, even a short passage, and ask Him to give light to your understanding. Rest as you are able and steward your body with patience, trusting that He who made the body cares for its healing.
We pray for you now. Father in heaven, we thank You that You are near to all who call upon You through Jesus Christ, and that nothing can separate us from Your love in Him. We ask for Your mercy upon this Your servant. Lay Your healing hand upon the pain in the lower back and grant relief. Restore strength and energy, and renew motivation for each day. Lift the cloud of weariness and let Your presence be known again, not only in feeling but in quiet confidence that You are with us. Give peace to the heart that longs for You, and keep it from discouragement. Sustain and comfort and lead into renewed hope, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
