When our child hurts or struggles, we want to be a source of comfort to him. We offer words, hugs, our presence. And we pray. In fact, the longer we walk with the Lord, the longer we are a mom, the more we learn how purposed and powerful prayers of comfort are. Dear God, Please comfort my child. Cover and fill those places that only you can truly comfort. Amen.

God delights that we trust Him to comfort our child. He responds to our words whispered to Him on our child’s behalf. He comforts the child—and He comforts our heart that hurts for the child.

Do you ever forget that you, too, are a child—the Lord’s beloved daughter? Some days I live like I’ve forgotten. When hard stuff happens, I ask for God’s help to persevere. But it usually takes me a while to remember, I am His beloved child, and I need His comfort right now, too.

“For the LORD comforts Zion; he comforts all her waste places and makes her wilderness like Eden, her desert like the garden of the LORD; joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and the voice of song.” (Isaiah 51.3)

Fun, encouragement, rest, even inspiration fill some days. While another day, week, or season ushers in sadness, discouragement, exhaustion, or even confusion. Hard experiences strip the part of us that lived comfortable before. Marriage tension, illness, financial crisis, relationship heartache, work stress, and decision anxiety stir angst.

Yet, God is present and intimately aware of the state of our heart and life. He is Comfort. His embrace covers our stripped, exposed self. Our waste places and wilderness—spaces of regret, hurt, uncertainty, self-doubt, anxiety, and unsettledness—he fills, displacing confusion.

He soaks our soul that we may rest, secure and peaceful in Him— even though our hard circumstance remains.

“I, I am he who comforts you.”  (Isaiah 51.12a)

Thank you, O God, that You comfort us, even when we don’t ask. Help us come to You and learn to be still with You for soaking comfort. Thank You that though hard times come, You will make our wilderness like Eden and our desert like the garden of the LORD. Amen.