I Don’t Have Answers but I Do Have Prayers - Encouragement for Today - October 30, 2025

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October 30, 2025

I Don’t Have Answers but I Do Have Prayers
LYSA TERKEURST

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“The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him …” Nahum 1:7 (NIV)

Recently, a moving truck pulled up to my friend’s house. Sometimes moving signifies something exciting and new. Sometimes it doesn’t.

This move signified an end. A few hours into the process of emptying her home, the movers carried out her wedding portrait and asked, “Are you taking the photographs separately?”

“Yes,” she said, the irony not escaping her. Separately. That was how she'd be living now. Separate from this neighborhood. Separate from her husband. Separate from the way she thought life would be.

She took the wedding portrait and, through her tears, called me, saying, “I don’t know what to do with this picture. What do you do with things that have no place anymore? We built a life together, and now there’s no more together.”

I’ve walked this same devastating road of a marriage ending and experienced the deep grief that hits at every turn. So I knew better than to just say something to fill the uncomfortable silence. I understood on a deeply personal level that trite sayings weren't going to hold her shattered heart.

Maybe you've been there. You were the one experiencing an unwanted divorce or trying desperately to know what to say. In these difficult moments, we have to place our feet on the only solid ground there is — God’s Truth.

His Truth won't shift with feelings, drown in a sea of tears, or leave you, even when your cries are full of raw emotion, doubt, and hard questions about what you’re facing.

I finally said, “I don’t have answers but I do have prayers. And I’m going to write out conversations I have with God on your behalf so you’ll know He’s not being silent right now. He sees you. He hears you. And through His Truth, He will comfort you."

I pulled out my Bible and poured out the hurt and sadness. God, please show me the right truths to share with my friend. Use my hand to write out comfort from Your Word for her.

I later sent this written-out conversation with God to my friend:

Me: Lord, it’s hard to watch my friend hurt so much. She begged You to help save her marriage, and honestly, we're confused why it still fell apart.

The Lord: I heard every prayer, and I have never left her side. “The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:18, NIV).

Me: But, Lord, don’t You see her tears? If seeing her sadness breaks my heart, it must break Yours too.

The Lord: Recall the beauty of trusting the only One who can see what is and what is to come. “The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him” (Nahum 1:7).

Me: I do trust You. But for everything to end like this is so hard. It just seems pointless.

The Lord: Nothing I allow is pointless. Even in hurt, I will work for good. “For the LORD Almighty has purposed, and who can thwart him? His hand is stretched out, and who can turn it back?” (Isaiah 14:27, NIV).

Me: Why does she have to go through this?

The Lord: I know your heart is searching for answers, but I’m asking you to believe that I have a plan and that I am her Protector. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:9, NIV). “God is [the] rock, in whom [His people] take refuge, [their] shield and the horn of [their] salvation” (2 Samuel 22:3a, NIV).

Me: What about the desires of her heart, Lord?

The Lord: I am the only One who knows the full scope of those desires. Just encourage her to trust Me and make wise choices. “Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart” (Psalm 37:3-4, NIV).

My note didn’t fix her hurt or answer her questions. But it did encourage her to open up God’s Word and talk with Him for herself. And as she moved on, this was a good first step to take.

Dear Lord, I lift my hurting friend to You. You are the only One who can ultimately provide comfort, healing, and direction for her during this time. But I’m also asking You to show me how I can be present for her today as an extension of Your love. I trust You and want to honor You as I support my friend. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

THIS IS THE RESOURCE YOU MIGHT NEED

Divorce brings with it grief, shock, anger — and many hard questions, like: Does God actually hate divorce? How can I let go and still hold myself together? What scriptures do I need to know and correctly interpret as I process the death of my marriage? How can I help a friend who is walking through this? Lysa TerKeurst has processed all of these on her own healing journey and is doing a free Q&A on November 5 alongside theologian Dr. Joel Muddamalle and Licensed Professional Counselor Jim Cress to help you get the answers you’re looking for. You can sign up for the livestream here, and when you tune in live, you’ll be entered to win one of five copies of the book we’re giving away!

ENGAGE

Find real-life encouragement when you connect with Lysa TerKeurst here on Instagram.

FOR DEEPER STUDY

Hebrews 4:16, “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need” (NIV).

How does it comfort you to know that you can come to God with any need, desire, or request? Let us know in the comments.

© 2025 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.

Proverbs 31 Ministries
P.O. Box 3189
Matthews, NC 28106
www.Proverbs31.org