Day 14: Don’t Waste Your Pain

Bob Perry Prayer

Hey Friend, It's day 14, and for the third consecutive day, I've been lifting us in prayer using these powerful words from Isaiah 61:3: a crown of beauty for ashes, the oil of joy instead of tears of loss, and vibrant garments of praise with a mantle of triumphant faith instead of dull, dreary hopelessness.

I’m not sure why, but I feel compelled to pray this verse as an anthem of triumph over us. Perhaps it is my personal theme song right now, or maybe yours, or even better, it is our duet in the spirit together.

It could also be that, as intercessors, we are being caught up in the spirit and feeling the grief of our community, or even in certain parts of the world. No matter the reason, my friend in Christ, our Heavenly Father loves that we are holding onto His promises together for ourselves and others. His love is our anchor during these turbulent times.

Let’s talk with God, my beloved,

Dear Lord, in gratitude, we come before you, reflecting on the beauty of Isaiah 61:3. We picture the mourners, their faces etched with sorrow, their spirits entwined in despair. Yet, in this moment, we recall the miraculous transformation that comes from your gentle hand. We thank you for the promise that you can replace the ashes of our grief with a beautiful, valuable gold crown of God’s.

Jesus, you replace our gloomy, dirty garments with the bright, radiant, colored robes of magnetic joy.

Great God and friend, we ask that you take the weight of our burdens, our struggles, and our pain; may you adorn us with a garland of beauty instead of ashes.

Anoint our heads with the oil of gladness, transforming our mourning into joy, and help us to embrace the victory of what the Holy Spirit is offering on planet earth in this kairos season.

Help us release our sorrow, allowing your light to fill the places that once felt empty.

Teach us to be vessels of hope, sharing the joy we receive with those around us. As we come to you, may we feel the warmth of your love enveloping us, reminding us of our worth in your eyes.

May we walk in the newness of Christ, with confidence and boldness in the radiant garments you have prepared for us, sharing your love in a world that desperately needs to encounter your kindness. Amen.