Navigating Difficult Emotions Around War, Genocide and Violence

A Prayer Practice by Dominique Dawson

Introduction

“As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God.

I thirst for God, the living God. When can I go and stand before him?

Day and night I have only tears for food, while my enemies continually taunt me, saying, “Where is this God of yours?””

-Psalms 42:1-3 (NLT)

In the news and on our social media feeds, we are constantly hearing horrific stories of war, violence, genocide, and death. And for some of us, we are even hearing first-hand accounts from loved ones. In a world more connected than ever, we become more aware than ever of the darkness that is in the world. Being a witness to this horror impacts us more deeply than we know. It can bring up a multitude of emotions like disgust, horror, grief, fear, anger, and sadness, and usually all at the same time. This prayer practice was created to help you navigate those difficult emotions by naming them, acknowledging the longings or “heart cries” underneath, and bringing them to the Lord in prayer.

Navigating Difficult Emotions Around War, Genocide and Violence

“Creator’s blessing rests on the ones who walk a trail of tears, for he will wipe the tears from their eyes and comfort them...Creator’s blessing rests on the one who hunger and thirst for wrongs to be made right again; they will eat and drink until they are full. ” Matthew 5:4,6 (First Nations Version)

Prep

Get comfortable, close your eyes, and feel the ground underneath your feet.

Try to be still and quiet before the Lord.

Relax and take deep breaths (inhale for 4 secs, hold for 3 secs, exhale for 4

secs and hold for 3 secs)

Pray

“Give us the grace to know where we have been, where we are now, and hope

for what’s ahead, even if we don’t feel it right now.”

Process

Think of the stories and experiences that you are hearing about the suffering, violence, and loss of life. Remember how it made you feel. How would you describe your feelings (words or images)? Use a Feelings Wheel if necessary to describe your emotions.

As you think about the stories, where do you feel it in your body (i.e. a heaviness in your chest and/or shoulders, tension in your neck, numbness, heart racing, nausea, etc.)?

List the damages/losses/pains you have noticed from the stories (i.e. loss of safety, food, shelter, life, trauma, etc.).

List the damages/losses/pains you received from witnessing these stories (i.e. loss of sleep, loss of peace, etc.). Write a prayer in response to all that has been lost.

Ask the Lord what longings/desires these damages/losses/pains reveal (i.e. loss of life reveals a longing for peace, etc.). Record the longings that came up as you processed.

Pray for God to fulfill those longings and for restoration for those impacted and yourself.

Read over your answers slowly.

Does anything stand out?

How did the Lord meet you? What do you sense the Lord is inviting you to?