We read in the Bible that prayer is powerful. It has the power to break chains of anxiety, shame, and doubt. But what about healing hurts? Can prayer begin to heal your soul from past hurts? When those prayers are given to God, he will dispel the darkness of your past hurts by the healing hand of Christ.
Why Past Hurts Won’t Heal
Past pain causes us to suppress our feelings. Satan’s goal is to cast feelings of shame and guilt about the hurt you’ve experienced. Ultimately, he wants you to hide it away, never giving it to God, which keeps you from experiencing the healing that comes from Christ.
The Bible says that Christ makes all things new…
“This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!”—2 Corinthians 5:17
Shame and guilt are the ways the enemy traps us into remaining voiceless. His whispers motivate us to hide. This can cause us to isolate ourselves even more, preventing the freedom we desperately need. Jesus is the only one who can heal past hurts and provide hope.
In order to begin healing, we must bring our past hurts into the light of the Lord so he can begin the healing process.
How to Start Healing Past Hurts though Prayer
In prayer, ask God to reveal what is hidden…
- You may feel hesitant to ask God to begin revealing past hurts, but remember that Christ fulfilled the law, casting your sin away from you as the east is from the west. Satan cannot use your sin to condemn you or keep you from coming to the Healer of your soul!
“He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west.”—Psalm 103:12
… because the enemy wants you to hide.
- The enemy wants you to believe that God cannot heal. He wants you to believe that you have to hide your feelings, telling you that God is not a God of mercy. But we know that Jesus called us to come to him so we can be healed.
“Jesus answered them, ‘Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners and need to repent.’”—Luke 5:31-32
“So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.”—Romans 8:1
In prayer, confess to God what is on your hurting heart…
- When you confess, you are declaring your dependence on God and stripping away the lies the enemy has used to hold you down. To confess is to speak openly. I know that it may seem awkward at first to speak openly in prayer, but this declaration announces to Satan that his lies will no longer condemn you.
“But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.”—1 John 1:9
“People who conceal their sins will not prosper, but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy.”—Proverbs 28:13
… because confession disarms the enemy.
- The enemy wants you to remain quiet. When you announce your dependence on God, it activates his strength within you. Confession breaks the silence of the enemy, taking away his power over you.
“For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.”—Philippians 4:13
“He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross. In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross.”—Colossians 2:14-15
In prayer, surrender your past hurts to God…
- Surrendering releases pain to God. It makes room for God to continue healing the hurts from our pasts. Because Jesus is the only one who brings healing and life, surrendering to him washes away fear and creates space for freedom.
“So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you… Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor.”—James 4:7, 10
“I know, Lord, that our lives are not our own. We are not able to plan our own course.”—Jeremiah 10:23
… because it is there that you will find freedom.
- After you have asked the Holy Spirit to reveal the past hurts that are holding you back from your freedom and purpose, you have a choice. You can embrace the freedom you have in Christ or listen to the words of the enemy that attempt to pull you back into hiding.
The beauty of the Gospel is that God will take all things and use them for your good and his glory. But we must rejoice always, pray continually, and give thanks without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18), choosing his way of surrender.
This may be an hourly or daily choice for some, but over time, God’s Word will prosper in your life. Each moment of praise, prayer, and verse you declare to the Lord is a seed that will produce a great harvest.
Allow the Spirit to water your soul and watch as God turns your pain into promises—for his glory.
“On the last day, the climax of the festival, Jesus stood and shouted to the crowds, ‘Anyone who is thirsty may come to me! Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, “Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.”’”—John 7:37:39
“’You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people.’”—Genesis 50:20
Are you looking for a way to use God’s truth every day to counteract the lies of the enemy? Then download My Heart for His Glory for FREE!
It’s a PDF designed for you to use anytime you feel hurtful words of your past try to open wounds that have been healed by Jesus.
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