Praying in Pain: How to Know You're Heard When You Haven't Been Healed

by Glenna Marshall

Prayer is how we survive the grip of crushing pain.Sometimes there are no words. Buried in grief and pain, we don’t know what to say, how to pray. Glenna Marshall has been there. Suffering for over a decade with chronic pain, she has spent nights exhausted, frustrated, and, at times, prayerless.Praying in Pain is inspired by the words of the psalmists, fellow friends and saints of old, who understand loss, pain, and heartache. Taking the beautiful, honest words of the Psalms—words like, how long, hear me, heal me, help me, I trust you, I love you—Glenna composed The Sufferer’s Prayer; this prayer gives words in those moments when it feels as if there are none.As Glenna takes the reader through this rich prayer, she shares guidance on who God is, how He works in suffering, and how to pray while we wait for Him. Readers will gain understanding of why God doesn’t always heal this side of heaven, how to pray as they wait in pain, and what good purposes the Lord might bring from their ongoing suffering. This prayer serves as a springboard for learning to pray Scripture. Praying in Pain is a light in the darkness and a balm to every hurting heart.I can think of no other place or time in my life when God has most faithfully met me. In the dark. In the night. In the crucible of my deepest and hardest physical suffering. What we pray in the dark shapes our suffering, removing the sharp, bright edges of anger and softening them with trust in God’s presence and faithfulness.

Genres: Nonfiction

192 pages, Paperback

Published June 2, 2026

About the author

Glenna Marshall is married to her pastor, William, and lives in rural Southeast Missouri where she tries and fails to keep up with her two energetic sons. She is the author of The Promise is His Presence: Why God is Always Enough (P&R, 2019) and Everyday Faithfulness: The Beauty of Ordinary Perseverance in a Demanding World (Crossway, 2020).

Reviews

[Beth Wyant · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am currently feeling really great with the right medication but it was interesting to see her journey with same condition as me and to see how God was involved in the highs and lows of chronic pain. I wish I’d had this book in the height of my pain but happy to have it now as a companion on my journey.

[Liz Nedimyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book for anyone who lives with chronic pain or knows someone who does. Glenna Marshall writes as a fellow sufferer, helping give language for how to pray when you don’t know what to pray, pointing us to the One who will one day make all things right.
I bought multiple copies of this book because I know it will help many fellow sufferers. I can’t recommend it enough. “Recycling sorrows into gladness is His specialty. Suffering now, glory forever.”

[Mary Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chronic illness is lonely and hard. This book gives a great perspective on learning to endure in Christ, praying for miraculous healing, and knowing it may not come this side of heaven. I feel a little less alone in my spiritual journey and living with chronic pain after reading this book.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

All the stars for this one. If you have a chronic condition of any kind, or love someone who does, do yourself a favor and pre-order this book. You won't regret it.