I can pray with a person in crisis at all four phases of the crisis sequence: initial impact, denial/anger, bargaining, and acceptance/restructuring.
During the initial impact phase, I would pray for comfort and peace for the person, asking for strength and guidance in navigating the overwhelming emotions and circumstances they are facing.
During the denial/anger phase, I would share a passage like Psalm 34:17-18, "When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit." My purpose in sharing this passage would be to remind the person that God hears their cries and is near to them in their distress.
During the bargaining phase, I would share a passage like Philippians 4:6-7, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." My purpose in sharing this passage would be to encourage the person to bring their concerns and requests to God in prayer, trusting in His peace and guidance.
During the acceptance/restructuring phase, I would share a passage like Romans 8:28, "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." My purpose in sharing this passage would be to remind the person that God is working all things together for their ultimate good, even in the midst of difficult circumstances.
If I were to pray at the impact phase, I might say something like:
"Lord, I lift up [person's name] to you in this time of crisis. I ask for Your presence to be felt deeply, bringing comfort and peace. Help [person's name] to feel Your love surrounding them and guiding them through this difficult time. Give them strength and courage to face the challenges ahead, and grant them wisdom in making decisions. Amen."
I would tailor my prayer for each phase based on the specific needs and emotions of the person in crisis.
Look back at the crisis sequence chart and answer the following questions:
At which phase(s) would you pray with a person in crisis?
At which phase(s) would you share Scripture with a person in crisis? Identify which passages you would share for each phase. What is your purpose in sharing each one?
If you were to pray at the impact phase, write out what you would say in your prayer. Do this for all four phases. Your own comfort level will be enhanced by considering these questions and planning in advance.
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