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September 13, 2026

Empty Hearts

  • Matt Nickoson
Honest prayer doesn’t always sound hopeful. Sometimes it sounds like lament. In this message, Pastor Matt explores the biblical practice of bringing our deepest pain, questions, and frustrations honestly before God. Through Habakkuk, Jeremiah, Jesus in the garden, and Hebrews 12, we see that lament is not a lack of faith—it can be an expression of trust in a God who listens and remains with us. Whatever hurt you may be carrying, you can bring it to the Lord, trusting that He is present and that He won’t waste what He allows you to walk through.

Sermon Notes

Romans 12:15 NLT

Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep.

You are allowed to feel human feelings, and you are allowed to express them back to God in prayers and cries of frustration.

Habakkuk 1:2 NIV

How long, Lord, must I call for help, but you do not listen? Or cry out to you, “Violence!” but you do not save?

Matthew 27:46 NIV

About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).

It’s even OK to be vulnerable and honest in these moments. God puts His big-boy pants on every day and understands your hurts and frustrations.

Jeremiah 20:7 NIV

You deceived me, Lord, and I was deceived; you overpowered me and prevailed. I am ridiculed all day long; everyone mocks me.

Jeremiah 20:8 NIV

Whenever I speak, I cry out proclaiming violence and destruction. So the word of the Lord has brought me insult and reproach all day long.

But when you do, make sure you are fully honest! Make sure you include the parts of your heart and story that see God’s goodness and Spirit moving.  

Jeremiah 20:9 NIV

But if I say, “I will not mention his word or speak anymore in his name,” his word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot.

And be sure you focus on the truths you know of God that keep your eyes looking upward to Heaven and onward to the future!

Jeremiah 20:10 NIV

I hear many whispering, “Terror on every side! Denounce him! Let’s denounce him!” All my friends are waiting for me to slip, saying, “Perhaps he will be deceived; then we will prevail over him and take our revenge on him.”

Jeremiah 20:11 NIV

But the Lord is with me like a mighty warrior; so my persecutors will stumble and not prevail. They will fail and be thoroughly disgraced; their dishonor will never be forgotten.

Jeremiah 20:12 NIV

Lord Almighty, you who examine the righteous and probe the heart and mind, let me see your vengeance on them, for to you I have committed my cause.

When you don’t understand His ways, it’s critical you learn to trust His heart. 

Hebrews 12:1-3 NIV

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. 

Hebrews 12:7 NIV

Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father?

In hardships, we cry out knowing God is using our pain to perfect our faith.

Hebrews 12:12-13 NIV

Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. “Make level paths for your feet,” so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.

Hebrew 12:15 NIV

See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.

Reflection Time:

Is there anything in your life you need to pray about and invite God to heal or help you solve? 

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