Faith / September 26, 2022

11 Prayers For Strength During Difficult Times

Life brings uncertainty. In time we all experience loss or frustrated expectations. God promises that he will never leave nor forsake us, but sometimes, we need his strength more than ever. You may feel like your circumstances are overwhelming and can’t do anything about them. Amid adversity, it’s hard to remember that the darkness will not eclipse the sun forever. So it’s helpful to have prayers for strength during these difficult times. These petitions for assurance can help restore joy and strengthen you to go on, despite the pain.

How prayers for strength help during difficult times

Prayer is talking to God. It is a conversation ripe with thanksgiving and praise. It’s your time to communicate what’s on your heart and seek his guidance. Prayer is not just a form of communication but an act of worship. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 says that we are to pray without ceasing. That means daily, in every situation, our prayers should never stop. Replace worry and fear with prayer, knowing God is with you and promises to make you strong.

Prayer helps you overcome difficulty. Jesus urged his disciples to watch and pray for strength against temptation. He knew their spirit wanted to do what was right, but their flesh was weak. Just like you and I—you want to eat healthily, but that bag of peanut butter cookies in the store looks so good! Temptation makes it challenging to do the right thing. At the same time, prayer makes it easier to resist temptation. Prayer is a powerful tool that we find strength when we seek God. Whether you are suffering from frustration, pressure, or a setback, I hope these prayers can help you find the courage within.

1. Prayer for strength

Heavenly Father, thank you for your nurturing kindness and your enduring love. I ask for strength right now, Lord. Please help me to trust you in this moment of uncertainty. Show me how not to rely on my understanding but to lean on you. Diminish all doubt and insecurity that threatens to steal my joy. Lord, you are the great almighty. Help me to find boldness in you. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.

2. Prayer for faith

Dear Lord, thank you for your goodness. I am humbled to be in your presence. This obstacle is greater than anything I have dealt with before. I ask you to strengthen me. Your word says that I can do all things through Christ. Please help me to trust in you. Let my faith be enough even when the way seems unclear and the path unpaved. Teach me to rely on you in a new way and help me remember that I do not walk alone. You are always with me. Lord, I thank you for salvation. Amen.

3. Prayer for assurance

Lord, thank you for loving me and caring for me. Thank you for keeping me safe and watching over my family and friends. To be honest, I feel like I’m not good enough. The world seems extremely difficult, and I am overwhelmed. Your word says that the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. Please show me how to use these spiritual weapons to remove feelings of insecurity. Show me how to trust you amid this difficulty. God, I know that you are bigger than my circumstances. I praise your name! Thank you for loving me and caring for me, Jesus. In your name, Amen.

4. Prayer for comfort

God, I thank you for the opportunity to lift your name in prayer. I’m filled with so much worry and doubt. Your word tells us not to be anxious about anything but to present our requests to God through prayer in every situation. And we will be granted the peace of God that passes all understanding. I pour my concerns out to you, Heavenly Father. Please quiet my mind and give me peace. Strengthen me in this challenging season. In the name of Jesus, Amen.

5. Prayer for bravery

Lord Jesus, I thank you for this opportunity to honor and praise your name. I love you, Lord. Please deliver me from feelings of doubt and insecurity. Help me to discern the lies from the enemy and show me how to be brave. Let me not worry about tomorrow, but give me the strength to rejoice today. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

6. Prayer for faith (during spiritual warfare)

Heavenly Father, thank you for strengthening me in this difficult season. Although I live in this world, your word says that we don’t fight our battles the same way the world does. Our weapons have divine power and can destroy the enemy’s strongholds. Lord, I ask you to help me tear down every proud idea that raises itself against the knowledge of God. Help me to capture every thought and make it surrender and obey you! Please show me how to rely on spiritual nourishment in these wayward times. I know you have already claimed victory in this situation. I will keep my eyes on you, Lord. Amen.

7. Prayer for direction

Father God, I thank you for hearing my cry. I feel unsure of what to do. This situation is much more than I thought it would be, and I need your guidance. Please strengthen me amid this difficulty. Remove all anxiety and replace it with wisdom, knowledge, and understanding. Lord, I thank you for salvation and your son. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

8. Prayer for self-control

Dear God, I thank you for your boundless love and kindness. There is no one like you. At this time, I am having trouble controlling what I say and do. Help me act in faith instead of being led by my emotions. Renew my mind, oh Lord. Please show me how to walk in true righteousness and holiness. Stir up the holy spirit within me so that I may resist the desires of my flesh. Strengthen me in this difficult season so I may persevere and not be distracted. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

9. Prayer for peace (for others)

Lord, thank you for your endless grace and mercy. I am concerned about __________. They are in a difficult situation, and hope seems hard to find. Father God, help them find serenity in these wayward times. Please help them feel your loving embrace so they know they are not alone. Quiet all doubts in their mind and strengthen their faith in you. Jehovah Shalom, our peace! I thank you and praise your name. Amen.

10. Prayer for encouragement

Heavenly Father, thank you for granting me another day. My mind keeps replaying discouraging thoughts. I know that this is not of you, Lord. Cleanse me of all doubt and renew my faith in you. Your word says I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. I believe you, Lord, and I know that your word is powerful. You are my hope and salvation. In your name, Amen.

11. Prayer for perseverance

Dear God, thank you for another day. I rejoice at the very breath in my lungs. At this time, I am weary and without motivation. Lord, stir up endurance within me and help me to persevere despite the difficulties I am facing. Your word says that through perseverance, our character is strengthened. Please help me not to give up so that you may finish your work in me, that I may be mature and complete, lacking nothing. Thank you for your faithfulness and for seeing more in me than I see in myself. Amen.

Finally

God has a plan for our lives, and it is perfect. He knows what is best for us. If we trust him, he will help us get through hardships. Prayer can be a powerful tool to help you find courage in adversity. It will also help you resist temptation and encourage you to do what is right, even when it seems impossible or out of reach.

When you seek God in prayer, you can always find strength. However, prayers for strength aren’t just for navigating difficult times. Put the power of prayer to work for you daily with a boldness that honors our Savior. How has prayer impacted your faith?