I find it relatively easy to praise and thank God, to shout “Hallelujah!” when my body is healthy, relationships are safe, work is dependable, and all my needs are met. But what about praying with thanksgiving during times of loss, hardship, and grief? My sister has a planter right by her front door that reads: “Hallelujah, even here.” After a basement flood, she lost many cherished photographs, grandma’s furniture, and so many other sentimental items. It took months to clean out, and I vividly recall her anger and tears as she and her husband filled a dumpster with things that could never be replaced. As the dumpster was taken away, she inscribed “Hallelujah, even here” on that planter and set it by the front door of her home. My sister clung to God’s grace and goodness, even in the midst of such heartbreaking loss.

Hallelujah, even here

This passage from Habakkuk speaks powerfully to the phrase “Hallelujah, even here”:

Though the fig tree does not bud
and there are no grapes on the vines,
though the olive crop fails
and the fields produce no food,
though there are no sheep in the pen
and no cattle in the stalls,
yet I will rejoice in the Lord,
I will be joyful in God my Savior.

Habakkuk 3:17-18

These verses in Habakkuk 3 reflect on faith, trust, and God's power even in the middle of devastation and loss. As the holiday season approached, I asked several friends and family to share their own prayers based on the passage from Habakkuk 3. And they did. Sometimes it’s helpful to read someone else’s prayers to have the inspiration to craft your own. May these honest, vulnerable, raw, and thoughtful prayers help you see God’s goodness in the midst of your own heartache and loss. God’s love is always present, his grace never ends, and he always listens to our prayers.

Lifting Me Over the Top of My Troubles

Written by Ada, pastor and great-grandmother

Dear Lord, thank you for your word that lifts me up to see over the top of my troubles to shape me and bless me. I have had more days than I care to count when I’ve felt overwhelmed by the feeling that nothing is going right. Give me strength to see my troubles from a different perspective, so I can say, “Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.” Help me to remember that your mercies are new every day.

Litany (Worship) Prayer

Written by Grant, seminary student, husband, and worship pastor

We rejoice in you and offer you thanks, O Lord, our redeemer, Creator, and provider. We exalt you, God of our salvation.

Though the fig tree does not blossom and no fruit is on the vines, we thank you still. We worship you, God of our fathers and mothers; through life’s storms and tempests, you have been our faithful God.

Though the produce of the olive fails and the fields yield no food; we thank you still. When perils overtake us, you never forsake us. With your help (you, the one who holds all the realms in the palm of your hand) we win our battles.

In the midst of our troubles, and with voices united, we raise to you our thanks and praise offering.

We rejoice in you and offer you thanks, O Lord, our redeemer, Creator, and provider. We exalt you, God of our salvation.

You, God, are With Me

Written by Rachel, social media manager and dog mom to Poppy

Lord, you've seen my heart, and you know that I am hurt. You know that I feel broken. You know how hard it is for me to live in this difficult reality. Yet I also know, despite it all, that you are with me. You are with me in moments of anger. You are with me in moments of pain. When I feel stretched to my limit, you help carry me. When I cry, you put your arms around me. Despite it all, and through it all, you see me and you love me. Hallelujah, from the depths of sorrow. Hallelujah, in the midst of grief. Hallelujah, even here.

Hallelujah in the Classroom

Written by Ryan, high school teacher and dad to teenagers

Amidst the clamoring student voices, between the groaning sighs of a class, in the look of sadness of friendships lost, and the heartache poured out in a journal reflection, hallelujah, even here. Despite the endless grading and emails, God grants me space to pause, reflect, and pray, "Hallelujah, even here."

Counting My Blessings on a Restless Night

Written by Elizabeth, artist and mom of college-age young adults

It's 2 o’clock in the morning, and I can't sleep. Help me remember the blessings in my life, especially the ridiculously small ones that are easy to forget. It's in these blessings that I am reminded of your presence and grace. I thank you for the simple things like my comfy bed, a back that doesn't hurt, and my favorite flower that bloomed today.

Thank you, too, for the big things, like my loving family and good health. Recounting your goodness gives me peace and calm washes over me and transforms my restless mind. It is amazing! You are amazing! You tell me to enter your gates with thanksgiving and your courts with praise; to give thanks to you and praise your name (Psalm 100).

Help me to understand that giving thanks is a benefit that unclenches my jaw and helps me let go of big stressors. It doesn't come naturally for me to be thankful; forgive me. I will make the effort because you invite me to come to you when I am weary. You promise to give me rest.

Joy When It’s Hard

Written by Charalet, a professional and single mom of a young adult on the Autism Spectrum

Help. Thank you for meeting me here. I’ve been hurt—yet again. The pain and emotions are so big, I can’t carry them by myself. I have too many responsibilities right now, so you must hold on to this too; you can tell me when to deal with it later. Thank you for being big enough and gentle enough to hold it all for me.

Seasons change and as you lead me through green pastures. I see you want me to unpack some of these big emotions. I will make time and space to meet with you at the table of inwardness. I’ll be still, and let you show me. Thank you for meeting me here.

I feel pain from this hurt and from those seven over there, too. And, oh, do the tears fall and fall and fall. They fall until I am empty.

As I sit in my ugly, physically-exhausted, hoarse-voiced, snot-filled, tear-washed cry, I thank you for the relief.

And in these tears, I thank you for showing me that glimmer of peace…and maybe joy? It started as a shimmer from the light reflected in my tears. It bubbled to a glimmer from hope, then a choice for the moment (you helped me make that choice, thank you!), then the minute, then the hour, and now, joy for the day…(deep breath)...I’d like to choose joy tomorrow, too.

Thank you, Lord, for helping me choose joy when it’s hard.

Jehovah Jireh, my Provider

Written by Luke, highschool senior and worship leader for his church

You are Jireh, my provider. I humble myself and give thanks for all you have done and all you will continue to do for me. God, I often find myself putting you in a box and making you small to fit my world and fit my needs when I am disappointed and overwhelmed.

But I recognize that you remain constant. You remain faithful. You never change.

Forgive me when I limit your grace and power.

There is so much for which I am thankful. I pray for satisfaction in you and a joy that supersedes even the hardest circumstances I may face in this world. Just as it says at the end of Habakkuk 3, "Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will rejoice in God my Savior."

Lord, you are good, and your love continues forever and ever. Thank you for the many blessings in my life.

Thanksgiving Prayer When I Feel Weak

Written by Jolene, writer, mentor, great-grandma

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,

Lord, when I am feeling alone, misunderstood, and unloved, remind me that I have a Father (an Abba) who cherishes me even though I am imperfect, broken, and messed up. Thank you for the truth that as your beloved child, I am loved with a love that is beyond my understanding, and nothing—absolutely nothing—can separate me from your love.

When I am feeling unworthy, useless, and unappreciated, remind me that I have a Savior who placed such value on me that he chose to die in my place, to clothe me in his righteousness, to cover me with his atoning blood, and to forgive my sins. Thank you for the hope I have for new beginnings because his grace gives my life worth, purpose, and value. When I am feeling overwhelmed, weak, helpless, and discouraged, remind me that I am indwelt by the Holy Spirit and that his power is at my disposal:

Power to overcome.

Power to be set free.

Power to endure.

Power to persevere.

Thank you for his abiding presence and reminding me to call upon him to empower me when I am too weak to go on by myself. Thank you for listening to this prayer, and thank you for answering. I pray this in the strong, holy name of Jesus. Amen!

Thanksgiving with a broken heart

May these prayers encourage you to recount God’s goodness in your life and thank him in your own prayers. Tell God how you feel, outloud or write it down in a journal. Remember that God’s Spirit dwells within you, his love is always present, his grace never ends, and he always listens to your prayers. May you have the courage to cry out to God even with tear-streaked cheeks and guts that ache with worry, saying, “Hallelujah, even here!”