Please Help: A Prayer for Harder Seasons
If your soul is tired, then this is for you.
Maybe you just lost someone you love, or you've been carrying around the weight of grief for years. Maybe you're tired of trying to be someone you're not, or trying in vain to inspire change in someone else.
I get it.
Life's "surprises" aren't always that welcome. Sometimes things seem harder than they should be.
Trust me, I get it.
Crazy things have happened in my life that I thought would NEVER happen.
My brother committed suicide. My dad died out of the blue. Friends have suffered loss too young. I started taking antidepressants after over a decade of trying to handle my mental health on my own.
Even small disappointments, if you have too many in a row, can get to you.
And the colder months have a way of turning your mood gray and your spirit down a notch.
So I've been thinking of one of the best prayers that's helped me through these last few months:
“Please help.”
Two words.
They make room for the darkness, the hurt, the hard emotions. And then… that makes room for a breath, for gratitude, for a miracle, for healing.
You can't have only one version of life: the happy times, the easy wins, the perfect relationships. Whether or not you signed up for this life as a human, you get it all.
You're here to experience everything you experience.
Knowing that, accepting that, even embracing that doesn't mean the harder seasons aren't hard, though. It just helps you face them with more grace and self-compassion. Which can change everything.
When it's hard to accept what life's throwing your way, just try this:
“Please help me.”
Or, "Please help her. Please help him. Please help us."
When you've gone through hell and back, you can say, “Please help me grow stronger because of what I just went through.”
Or, "Please help him make the right decision. Please help her feel supported right now."
Look up at the stars and ask for help. Close your eyes and ask. Write it down somewhere. Say it out loud to a friend or to the trees.
I don't think it matters much how you pray, or what prayer means to you... only that you feel it and it moves you.
It's been almost nine years without my brother Mark and almost four years without my dad, and I’m still saying, “Please help us feel their presence and know we're not alone.”
And if there’s someone you’re missing this season, I’ll be saying a simple “Please help us through”... for all of us.
However your life feels crazy right now, at least you know you’re not alone. Because:
Here I am.
The beauty of this prayer is that when you feel the words and trust you're heard, you won't feel so alone anymore. It reignites the flame of our shared humanity, puts us under the same sky, makes one heart open to another.
Aside from all this, take care of yourself. Take care of your moments. One at a time, please.
. . .
Tell me:
What here did you most need to read today?
Tell me in the comments. I read every single one, and I'd love to know.
With you,
Jen
P.S. For a tad more support, I recommend my Healing Heart Space guided meditation. Could make room for the help you’re asking for...
P.P.S. Want these kinds of posts in your inbox? Sign up for Tuesday emails and you'll also get my Healing Brave Manifesto, totally free.
Comments on this post (7)
Hanna, this message is a gift to me. Thank you. I can feel the love through your words… I think writing is healing too, no matter what form it comes in, even if you wouldn’t consider yourself a writer. :) Connecting with people like you through this work is the greatest gift I could have asked for – it inspires me to keep going, so thank you for that!
— Jennifer Williamson
Dearest Jen,
I am so sorry for your losses. Illness and suicide are definitely hard to deal with. Just know you are so strong to face it head on. You are not alone. God loves you and your family and he will never leave you nor forsake you. He truly cares for humanity. I respect your work a lot. I am not a writer but i can definitely say writing is healing to me. Thank you for sharing your experiences with us. You serve peace of mind, good health, strength, wisdom, protection and joy. Take good care of yourself too please for us. You are in my prayers…
With love,
Hanna
— Hanna Akom Wiredu
Thank you, Jack, for sharing what you believe in <3 May we each of us feel a true connection to our spirituality through what’s real and divine within us, and each other. Through love. I agree, what’s holy is within each of us!
— Jennifer Williamson
Thank you Jen, you are very kind.
— Jim
Thank you, Jim, always for your kind words and for being a source of encouragement not only for me but for all of us <3
— Jennifer Williamson
Jen, when you are hurting please remember someone else is a little better because YOU helped them. Have patience. Enjoy this winter season and its beauty the best you can. A warm cup of tea and piece of chocolate is nice. Bless you. Jim
— Jim
Get on your knees and talk to God (Abba), or Jesus, and or Mary (Mother of Jesus) about your (add your personal intentions here).
Jen, this is the real deal. They will talk to you through the Holy Spirit. Everyone has been given the Holy Spirit.
Please consider using it by talking to the Holy Spirit so the information can get past a very first step that I think you need.
Your beautiful inside and I personally believe you need this kind of spiritually.
I sent you prayers when I get them through Messenger. I’ll continue to send them because I care about your mission. I believe the only way to heal is through Jesus.
Stay healthy as you are getting better connecting to me.
— Jack