Father,
Having been used, abused, and discarded,
By those who insisted they spoke in Your name,
But most certainly did not,
My self-worth has suffered significantly.
Having internalized the shaming charge,
Which my abusers have levied against me,
I have acted in ways contrary to my beliefs,
Which You have set forth in Your Word,
And have established deep within my heart.
Having tried to run from You for so long,
I now see how flawed my judgment has been.
Returning to You has required me to renew
My mind and to look at life differently.
Thank You, Lord, for enlightening me,
And for revealing that You have good things
Planned for my life and not calamity.
At times, I still have trouble believing
That You really love me—just as I am.
The stinging indictment of my abusers
Has found fertile ground in my soul,
And it continues to resonate, telling me that
I am a person without worth—without value.
But, when this happens, all I need to do
Is come before You and listen to You tell me:
“You are my child—worthwhile, loved, and valued.
I most assuredly have a purpose for your life.”