WomenHealing.com
Pray. Heal. Love.
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"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 and holds me close" 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
June 2025
As an abuse survivor, you may find yourself not only attentive to your own suffering, but also the suffering around you - in your family, communities, and creation. Sometimes we are in a position to be able to help, whether through our presence or taking an action alone or with others. But there is often more suffering than we can address and this is where our faith reminds us that we are not facing the suffering alone. God is always with us and weeps at the suffering like we do. It can be helpful to call upon God to help us as a human community to address the suffering and to pray for those who suffer. As Catholics, we celebrate Pentecost this month and we are invited to remember God's presence with us and to ask God to help us ease the suffering and renew the face of the earth.
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Along the healing journey, consider talking with a trusted friend, family member, minister, or counselor. You are not alone. In moments of despair, remember to reach out to the National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 800.273.8255 or go to your nearest emergency room.
If you need other support, consider calling the National Domestic Violence Hotline, the Rape, Abuse, Incest National Network, or other resources that can be found here.