Loss

Today, as the Underground, we come together in prayer and fasting. Every great move of God in the Bible and in history begins with Extraordinary Prayer and Fasting. From the other side of eternity, we will find that the most influential people were not, perhaps, Presidents or Prime Ministers but the people who walked with God through passionate prayer. This week we will focus our prayer and fasting on the theme of Loss.

For our soul is bowed down to the dust; Our body clings to the ground. Arise for our help, and redeem us for Your mercies’ sake.
-Psalm 44:25–26

Today, we invite you to consider the losses you have experienced. God is inviting you to grieve those losses and share them with him. Before identifying the losses, we will begin by choosing intentional gratitude. We don’t practice gratitude to “cancel” the losses or suppress the pain of the loss. Rather, gratitude opens our perspective to a wider view that helps us step back and reorient. Gratitude increases our capacity to grieve. Gratitude energizes the human heart and opens us to the continued flow of grace and goodness while we recognize and grieve what is lost.

MOVE ONE: INTENTIONAL GRATITUDE

Begin in the present moment, expressing gratitude to God for whatever comes to mind. Notice the 1000 “little” gifts around you: oxygen, sunlight, water to drink, the last meal you ate, and so much more. Think through your story and recall where you’ve experienced God’s goodness. You may want to write things down. Ask God to respond to your gratitude. What is God saying to you? How does God see you? Record those responses without filtering, receiving what God has for you, the beloved.

MOVE TWO: IDENTIFY THE LOSS

What do you need to grieve? What expectations or desires do you feel that you may need to release? What have you lost?

Sometimes we hold our tension and numbness in our bodies. Noticing our bodies can help us to become aware of what tensions and grief we might need to engage with.

Try this:

Squeeze your fists as tightly as you can for a moment. As you do, notice what tension you are feeling.

In what ways might you be trying to hold things together?

What losses are surfacing as you hold your fists together?

What do you want to say to God?

What does he want to say to you?

Now, open your hands, keeping your palms facing down, and take a deep breath out. As you do, ask God how he is inviting you to let go.

What does it feel like to physically open your hands and let go?

Finally, keep your hands open and turn your palms up. How does it feel in your body to hold your hands open?

What does God want to give to you as you hold your hands open to him?

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
-Psalm 34:18

MOVE THREE: INVITING TRUST

The hymn Abide With Me speaks to this place of recognizing God’s presence with us in the midst of our pain. As you listen to this song or slowly read through the lyrics, let the sorrow and hope of it wash over you. What does trust look like for you today?

Abide with me, fast falls the eventide

The darkness deepens Lord, with me abide

When other helpers fail and comforts flee

Help of the helpless, oh, abide with me

Swift to its close ebbs out life’s little day

Earth’s joys grow dim, its glories pass away

Change and decay in all around I see

O Thou who changest not, abide with me

I fear no foe, with Thee at hand to bless Ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness

Where is death’s sting?

Where, grave, thy victory?

I triumph still, if Thou abide with me...

Take a few minutes to consider some of the expectations and plans you’ve had fall apart. Write them on a piece of paper. After you’ve made the list, look at it and slowly tear it into small pieces. As you look at all the broken goals and plans, give yourself permission to grieve. Which losses feel the heaviest? What does your heart want to say to you about this loss? Allow yourself to feel any emotions that come up. Offer those pieces to Jesus. Sit now and let the Lord speak to you. Meditate on Psalm 34:18. Journal how the Lord has spoken to you through this guide.