Taking My Brokenness to the One Who Can Restore Me

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What are the things that break God's heart? What does He want to break my heart? I'm taking my brokenness to Him in prayer and asking Him to restore me.

“Let my heart be broken for the things that break the heart of God.”
~ Bob Pierce (World Vision and Samaritans’ Purse)

I’ve been thinking about being brokenhearted lately.

Synonyms for heartbroken include – agony, anguish, despair, grief, pain, sorrow, sadness, heartache, etc.

What breaks God’s heart?

Simply stated – Sin/Evil.

Sin and evil are the sources of all life’s pain and suffering.

My sin, other people’s sin, and a creation that cries out in this fallen world.

It’s easy to think of being heartbroken because of something someone else did or events caused by natural disasters…

But being heartbroken over my own sin..?

I don’t know about you, but that’s harder to think about. The things I do and say that I shouldn’t and the things I fail to do that I should.

We grow more than enough food yet people starve, we fail to value all life deeming some more worthy than others, and we consistently fail at loving like Jesus.

I wonder how often I’m heartbroken over that which is important to God.

Maybe you feel a little convicted. I know I do.

If so, come along with me as I take failures and brokenness to the One who is able to resurrect, redeem, and restore.

 

What are the things that break God's heart? What does He want to break my heart? I'm taking my brokenness to Him in prayer and asking Him to restore me.

Taking My Brokenness to the One Who Can Restore Me

Psalm 34:17–18

The Lord hears good people when they cry out to Him, and He saves them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted, and He saves those whose spirits have been crushed. 

Father, I’m not good. I want to be, but I daily fail to do Your will. I don’t do what You want me to and I do what You’ve said is wrong. When I’m honest with myself, it’s heartbreaking. So, I cry out to You and because of Jesus, You hear me. Through Jesus, You restore me and call me good. I love You. I trust You. How can I not? Thank you is not enough. “Love so amazing demands my soul, my life, my all.” (When I Survey the Wondrous Cross) You are my everything . . . my life, my hope, and my salvation. Amen.

Psalm 147:3–4

He heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds. He counts the stars and names each one.

Father, Creator, and Namer of stars. I need Your healing touch, Your hope, and encouragement. The sin around me breaks my heart. My sin breaks my heart. We cause each other pain through words and actions, and we fail to care for others the way You command. I can be so focused on my own pain and need that I don’t even notice those who are hurting around me. And too often, when I do something good I do it for praise and appreciation. Please forgive and make me more like Jesus. By the power of Your Spirit, help me. Amen.

Isaiah 57:15

And this is the reason: God lives forever and is holy. He is high and lifted up. He says, “I live in a high and holy place, but I also live with people who are sad and humble. I give new life to those who are humble and to those whose hearts are broken. 

Father God, Thank you! You reign over the universe, You are Lord of all. Yet, by Your grace, You live with Your people . . . those who love and trust You, who come to You in humble repentance asking for Your grace and mercy. Your love overwhelms me. Please Lord, out of all the blessings You pour into my life, help me help others. Father, break my heart for the things that break Your heart and help me to be Your hands and feet to a hurting and broken world. Forgive my past and I surrender my future to Your direction. In Jesus name, I pray. Amen.

 

Taking My Brokenness to the One Who Can Restore Me - Counting My Blessings by Deb Wolf

Standing Against Satan

When Nicole Kauffman invited me to write a guest post for her Standing Against Satan Series, she sent these words as part of her introduction.

“My goal for this series is to shed light on the hidden and deceiving liar who attempts to steal our peace and our joy. He has no place in our hearts, so let us stand together and expose Satan’s lies. Christ has already won the war, now let’s stand firm together and fight the battle in His strength.”

I immediately knew the story God wanted me to tell. I squirmed. How do you tell people about listening to the enemy and like Eve, grabbing hold of the apple and taking a bite?

Not easily . . . but I pray my story will bless and help you. It’s one of God’s redeeming grace as He took from self-righteous good girl to broken and healed daughter.

You can read How God Delivered Me from Satan’s Lies about Being the “Good Girl.” 

How God Delivered Me from Satan's Lies About Being the "Good Girl"

 

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14 Comments

  1. I do find that my heart needs educating, because it values things and breaks over things that are temporary. All the crazy in the news lately has been a rebuke to me in this specific area, and now I’m grateful for your added wisdom.
    Thanks, Deb.

  2. I truly enjoyed your post at Nicole’s this week, Deb. I am also a firstborn and a recovering people-pleaser, and God has challenged me to overcome my self-righteous temptations. Thank you for writing so honestly both here at your blog and over at Nicole’s. Blessings to you!

  3. Beautiful words to reflect upon Deb. I do feel convicted and heartbroken when I find myself in a situation where I have grieved the Holy Spirit. I am quick to repent but I also wish I’d never made the decision or spoke harsh words or reacted the way I did. When I do, I reflect on 1 John 1:9 (NIV), ” If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” This is my go to verse for times such as this!

  4. Debbie Putman says:

    Oh, these prayers! They are mine, too. Thank you for sharing them.

  5. And mine, too – thanks Deb for always bringing me to the Word and to real. and for featuring Welcome Heart, too – Part II this week – a little less ranting . .

  6. Thank you, Deb, as always for these heartfelt prayers and the reminder that our hearts must break for the same things that break God’s heart.
    Blessings always!

  7. I hate it when I break His heart! Thank you for this post and the encouragement I got from it!

  8. Thank you so much for hosting this link party! I so appreciate your setting aside this space for us to share our thoughts. I’m grateful to be here with you today.

    May your weekend be filled with many opportunities to count your blessings!

  9. Deb, Thank you so much for the feature.

    You have encouraged and blessed me! 🙂

    Blessings,

  10. Deb – That is my prayer – I want my heart to be broken for the things that break the heart of God. I want to see what he sees. Thank you for prompting me to do just that this weekend.

  11. Absolutely love these prayers, Deb! Thanks so much for penning them from your heart and sharing with us.

  12. Deb- thank you for your wisdom! My sin doesn’t cause me heartbreak and it should, isn’t that bad?!?

    Clicking over to read your post at Nicole’s:)

  13. We spend too much time being upset over things that don’t matter for eternity and not nearly enough being heartbroken about those that do. Sometimes there is so much evil in the world, it’s easier to shake our heads and then push it to the back of our minds. Thanks for your faithfulness to remind us we shouldn’t look the other way, but let God break our hearts so we can pray, for starters.

  14. To be broken hearted over that which breaks God’s heart…that is my prayer, too. I ‘m so thankful for the restoration that God brings. These verses that you’ve shared being so much hope.
    Thank you for sharing at Grace and Truth last week. I would love to feature this post on Friday. : )