A Safe Place in Prayer

Recently, our church began a “Grief and Hope Group” for those experiencing the loss of a loved one. A friend named Carolyn offered to lead the group, and I volunteered to help her. Our ninety-minute weekly meetings are filled with tears and, surprisingly, even laughter. This is a space for one to speak of their hurts, fears, regrets, shattered dreams, and even hope. We don’t bring judgment or a “ready to fix it” agenda, just a safe, confidential space to be honest, vulnerable, and heard.

As I gave thanks for being part of this group, I came to realize how precious such a space is. And I also began to ponder how God offers us himself as an even better place of refuge, as we pray. God allows us to be honest, to be able to name our fears, to express our confusion or even doubts. God perseveres with us, even at the times that we are frustrated and disappointed with ourselves. God offers us hope, not based on our best efforts, but on God’s unchanging nature of love. Prayer is a safe place to meet with the One who has loved us before our birth and will continue to love us after we die. What a hopeful promise!