"Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and God saved them from their distress."
Psalm 107:19
PRAY
Prayer can be a grace-filled aid on your healing journey. It helps you to center when you are feeling overwhelmed by memories of abuse or by the stress of everyday triggers. It allows your body to relax so that your physical, emotional, and spiritual wounds may heal. Perhaps most importantly, it is a reminder that you are not on this journey alone. God is with you.
Here is a helpful prayer practice for anytime of day:
If you have just a few moments, bring your attention to your body. Feel your feet on the ground. Notice your breath. In and out. Breathe from your belly. In...and out. Take time to breathe, knowing you don't have to rush. In...and out. Choose a prayer phrase that brings you comfort or affirms your healing such as "The Lord is my Shepherd. I shall not want." or "God is with me. I feel safe." Say this prayer phrase ten times as you breath. Pray the first line as you breathe in. Pray the second line as you breathe out. When you are done, take notice of any gentle shifts in your body. Do you feel a little more relaxed, focused, or peaceful? Thank God for being with you and close your prayer with an "Amen" or "Blessed be."
Monthly Reflection
JULY 2020
"But since we are of the day, let us be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love and the helmet that is hope for salvation."
-1 Thessalonians 5:8
These are not easy times and they may especially difficult for you as an abuse survivor. Whether it is news of COVID-19 in your family or friends, struggling to parent at home, yearning for racial justice, or more, it can be emotionally exhausting. In this passage we are invited to take on the "breastplate of faith and love" and the "helmet that is hope for salvation." While some may rush to extremes, Christians are called to do the long-lasting inner work that is needed to find in themselves the resilience of Christ. This month, ask God to protect you and reach out to someone if you need help.
If you need some extra support, try calling the National Domestic Violence Hotline, the Rape, Abuse, Incest National Network, or other resources that can be found here.