Micah Maddox on Prayer for When Life is Out of Control: 'Get Alone, Allow God to Fill In Shattered Places'

By Julie Brown Patton
Alone with God
Get alone and allow God to fill in the shattered places, suggest inspirational speaker Micah Maddox, during those times when life feels out of control.

What's a desperate, hurting soul to do when life is completely out of control? Cling to Jesus, suggests inspirational speaker Micah Maddox, and wife of Rob Maddox, the worship and missions pastor at Spotswood Baptist Church in Fredericksburg, Va.

"If you know Him, He's already with you. Right there, in the midst of the uncontrollable, He knows every single detail of your struggle. He is an anchor that does not budge. When everything else changes, Jesus is a constant," Micah penned in a recent For Every Mom blog.

She points out there are life moments so devastating, there are no words to utter. "You see people surround you and their lips are moving, but the words cannot be absorbed. You try to move forward with a normal routine, but the world seems to move in slow motion as you walk in a trance giving your best effort to press on."

Life can hurt deeply, Micah reminds. "It can scar the tender parts of your heart, and make you feel like life is completely out of your control."

The truth is, life is not ours to control, she states. "Life is manageable when bills are paid, kids are healthy, marriage is working, church is delightful, and work is enjoyable. When test results reveal serious illness or when your marriage is sitting on the edge of disaster, life is no longer controllable. Unexpected bills, heartbreaking conversations and a life of heavy burdens unload themselves into your world that seems to be shattering right before your eyes."

People all around are holding shattered pieces of life, wanting desperately to put the pieces together again, states the woman who has been supporting full-time ministry for the past 10 years. "It's as if the anchor of your soul has been ripped from the deepest depth of your heart and your ship of life has been lost at sea."

Micah recommends calling out to Jesus. "Jesus is not a person I call on when life is beyond my understanding, Jesus is a constant friend who never leaves, never hurts and never makes mistakes. We can tell Him anything and everything and He cares. He sees. He knows. He loves unconditionally."

Unchanging grace and mercy draw her close, she says.

"When I sit in His presence and allow His Spirit to fill in the holes of my heart, I feel complete no matter what reality says to me. I may be hurting, lonely or afraid, but God heals, comforts and gives me confidence that I cannot explain."

When people feel like they are in the middle of their worst nightmare, it is time to sit in God's presence a while, Micah states.

"Get alone and allow God to fill in the shattered places. It might not happen overnight, and pain may continue for days, months or even years, but I've found that sitting in God's presence gives me what I need for each day. I still cry and I still feel pain, but I don't live shattered. I have an anchor that holds me steady through darkness, light, storms, and devastating winds. Whatever you're facing today, He wants to firmly secure you and fill in the broken places of your life."

Following is the prayer Micah recommends praying for times when life feels out of control:

"Dear Heavenly Father, I need you. When life is too difficult and I cannot understand, I need you. When darkness surrounds me and I cannot sustain the pressure of life, I need you. When it seems my entire world is falling apart, I need you. When life is not what it seems it should be, I need you. Help me to see you, to know you and to feel you near. Give me grace and mercy to face another day. Give me strength and guidance to take a step forward. Fill in the shattered places of my heart and give me peace beyond my understanding. Lord, I need you. In Jesus name, Amen."

    Most Popular
  • Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Faith-based films often receive mixed reactions, and The Last Supper is no exception. The movie attempts to bring a fresh perspective to one of the most iconic moments in Christian history, but does it succeed? Some reviews from critics and audiences provide insight into its strengths and shortcomings.

  • ‘The Chosen’ Season 5: The darkest season yet—What to know before watching

    The wait is over—The Chosen is back with its fifth season, and this time, things are getting intense. The new episodes dive straight into the final days of Jesus’ life, covering some of the most emotional and dramatic moments in the Bible. If you’ve been following the series, you already know that The Chosen isn’t just about retelling familiar stories—it’s about bringing them to life in a way that feels real.

  • Massacres in Syria: Over 1,000 dead, including Christians and Alawites

    Syria’s coastal regions have been devastated by a series of massacres, with reports indicating that over 1,000 people—many from Christian and Alawite communities—have been killed in brutal attacks. Entire families have been wiped out, and survivors are fleeing in search of safety as sectarian violence escalates.

  • Kim Sae-ron and Wheesung: The tragic irony of Korean society and the principles of happiness

    Not long ago, the media was in an uproar over actress Kim Sae-ron’s passing. Just months before, the same people who had relentlessly criticized her for her DUI incident were now expressing sympathy, saying, "The world was too harsh on her." The irony is impossible to ignore.

  • Newsboys move forward as a quartet after Michael Tait’s departure

    After more than a decade as the lead singer of the Newsboys, Michael Tait has officially parted ways with the band, marking a significant shift in the Christian rock group’s lineup. The remaining members—Jeff Frankenstein, Jody Davis, Duncan Phillips, and Adam Agee—have assured fans that they will continue forward, embracing a new season of music and ministry.

Top Stories