“God, If You Had Been There...” Martha’s Prayer in John 11

Martha’s first words to Jesus were raw: “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died” (John 11:21, NKJV). Have you ever prayed that?

Jesus didn’t scold her. He answered her grief with Himself: “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25–26).

This week, write one honest sentence to God in a journal: “Lord, if You had been here...” Then write what Jesus said to Martha underneath it.

Full episode — Grieving as a Christian: When God Feels Far: https://youtu.be/hevbf2C8Rc4

If you are in crisis: in the U.S., call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, free and confidential, 24/7) or text HOME to 741741. Outside the U.S., please contact your local emergency number.

Scripture quotations are from the New King James Version® (NKJV®). Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.