Lying in bed, I stared at the ceiling in the dark, too tired to sleep.
Have you ever been there?
You’re so worn out that you can’t wait to go to bed, sure that you’ll pass out as soon as your head hits the pillow. But instead of slipping into blissful unconsciousness, your mind decides to start running a marathon, going over (and over and over) every worry, every hardship, every doubt, every item on your never-ending to do list.
It was 2013 and our web design business had gone belly-up. Business had simply stopped coming in, with people deciding they’d rather save money and buy a pre-made template than shell out for a custom website. To make matters worse, the web design agency I contracted with decided to switch to a content management system I was unfamiliar with, and decided to let me go rather than train me in how to code for it.
We’d never been wildly successful to begin with. Although we made ends meet, we didn’t have a safety cushion, and my husband’s income wasn’t enough to cover the bills and living expenses on its own. Desperate, I began looking for a full-time job outside of the home, but interview after interview resulted in disappointment and closed doors. Our ship was sinking fast, and we didn’t have a life preserver.
By this point, my husband and I were no strangers to hardship. We’d already had a string of bad years that included me getting laid off from a good job with good benefits, two miscarriages, the passing of both of my inlaws and of two pets, and there had been very little time to recover in between all of those battles.
So when I say I was tired, I don’t mean that I was worn out from a hard day. I was feeling beaten down and defeated from what had come to feel like a hard life. I was weary in my soul, not wanting to face another day, fearful of what new hardship it would hold. I knew I should pray, but I couldn’t. God felt so distant, and I just didn’t have the energy. Even if I did, I didn’t know where to begin.
It’s a hard, miserable place to be. Maybe you’re there right now.
If you are, I want you to know that God is still with you. He hasn’t forsaken you, no matter how distant He may feel.
I also want you to remember these four things:
- God is praying for you. Scripture tells us that Jesus Himself intercedes for us at the right hand of God the Father (Romans 8:34). It alsy says that when we don’t know how to pray, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words (Romans 8:26). You don’t need to have the right words. You don’t need to know where to begin. You only need to call out to Him, and your Savior and the Holy Spirit will meet you where you are and take care of the rest.
- If you look for Him, He’ll be there. Jeremiah 29:13 promises, “And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.” Sometimes, all that’s required to seek Him is to simply be still and know that He is God. Just sit quietly, breathe out His name, and let that be your prayer.
- He wants to hear what’s on your mind. Of course He already knows, but that’s not the point. Phillipians 4:6-7 tells us to bring everything to God in prayer, with thanksgiving, and promises that if we do, we’ll experience His ultimate peace.Don’t be afraid to pour out your heart to God–all of your pain, hurt and heartache, all your frustration and anger, all of your worry, fear and doubt–all of the dark and ugly, even the stuff directed at Him. Believe me, He can take it. And as you pour out all of that heart-junk, He’ll be able to fill up your empty places with His peace that is beyond human understanding.
- Thanksgiving makes you stronger. I know you’re probably not feeling a lot of gratitude at times like these, but God commanded us to always give thanks for a reason. Part of that reason is that there is always something to be thankful for, even if you have to dig deep or go back to basics to find it–even if the only thing you can think of to give thanks for is that you’re still conscious and breathing. The main reason, though, is that focusing on what we have to be thankful for, instead of dwelling on what we lack or what we wish were different, cultivates a sense of contentment that produces joy. And God’s word tells us that this kind of joy — the joy of the Lord — is our strength (Nehemiah 8:10).
Give yourself grace, lift up your eyes and call out to the Lord, pour out your heart to Him, and focus on what’s good in your life, no matter how small. This is the recipe for spiritual strength–and there’s one more thing I want you to remember, sweet sister. YOU don’t have to be strong. HIS strength is made manifest in your weakness. God’s love for you isn’t based on your ability. His grace meets you where you are and makes up for all of your human weaknesses, frailties and failings. God loves you, period.
If you’re stuck in a place where you’re feeling too week and worn down to pray for yourself, let me know in the comments (anonymously if you want), and I’ll pray for you today.
In His love,
PS – This week I’m linking up with Holley Gerth’s Coffee for Your Heart and Faith Filled Friday at MissionalWomen.com.
“Give yourself grace, lift up your eyes and call out to the Lord, pour out your heart to Him, and focus on what’s good in your life, no matter how small. This is the recipe for spiritual strength…” Yes, our strength comes from God. There have been times when I’ve not known how to pray, but I rest in the knowledge that He knows and even if I can’t speak the words, He hears and answers in His timing what is best. I’m visiting from #CoffeeForYourHeart. Blessings to you!
I’ve found that to be so true, Gayl. Thanks for sharing, and for stopping by!
Wonderful reminder of grace. Thank you for sharing! Glad to meet your acquaintance on “Coffee for Your Heart.” Have a beautiful week!
Thank you, Carolina! Blessings to you.
Was feeling so down in the spirit and couldn’t even find the strength to pray. But I came across this article and it was as if it was written just for me. In a few seconds, I have cried, prayed and praised God. Something I haven’t been able to do in weeks. Now I understand he loves me, no matter how filthy and weak I am. What a blessing.
Gemma, I’m praying and praising God with you this morning, and I’m so thankful that this past ministered to you. If there’s anything specific you’d like me to pray for, don’t hesitate to reach out and let me know.
You are loved!
Jean
I’m so weak right now. One minute I’m up and the next I’m down. I love God but sometimes I feel so alone. I’m trying to move forward but I can’t. I start praying then stop but I know I have to start back soon. I want peace, love, and happiness
You’re not alone, Jasmine. Deuteronomy 31:8 tells us, “The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”
Here’s how The Message puts it: “God is striding ahead of you. He’s right there with you. He won’t let you down; he won’t leave you. Don’t be intimidated. Don’t worry.”
Have you tried prayer journaling? When I have a hard time praying, writing down what’s on my mind and writing out my prayers along with scriptures that apply to whatever I’m facing helps me stay focused when it all feels too overwhelming. And when it really gets hard I can go back through my journal and pray through the prayers I’ve already written out. It can also help to simply pray God’s word back to him.
Father God, your word says you go before us, and you will never leave us or forsake us. But sometimes it can be so hard to feel your presence, and when we’re weak, that fills us with doubt. Please remind Jasmine of your presence today, Lord. Strengthen her and fill her with your joy and peace. Comfort her by the power of your Spirit, and open her spiritual eyes to see evidence of your love and faithfulness at work in her life. Be the God of hope for Jasmine today and poor your peace and joy into her until she overflows with hope by the power of your Holy Spirit. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
I’m praying for you, Jasmine. ❤️
Each time I want to pray I always runs out of word and within me comes wickness, but please I want to know how to pray.I need the power of prayer that will last me for my lifetime.
Abraham, I’m sorry you’re struggling with this. I don’t know what I can add that’s not already mentioned in the post and the comments above, but I’ll be praying for you.
If you haven’t done so already, you need to invite Jesus into your heart and your life. Prayer is ineffective without him. But if you ask him, he’ll send his Spirit to live in you and help you with your prayers.
You also need to spend time each day reading and studying the Bible. Learning scripture gives us the tools we need to pray effectively and makes the Holy Spirit better able to direct our prayers and also to transform us from the inside out so that wickedness no longer has a hold on us.
If you’re already a Christian with a firm grasp of scripture, then I suggest you use scripture as a guide for what to pray. The book of Psalms is a good place to start. Pray those to God as though you wrote them yourself. Praying God’s Word and promises back to him is always an effective way to pray.
Praying for you to have strength and peace!
Thank you jean for this , May GOD almighty bless you. Lately have been so down, my heart is heavy so weak don’t have the right words to pray to GOD . Everything around me seems hopeless, am tired nothing is working in my favor. GOD feels so distant from me, please pray for me . GOD bless you
Praying for Good to envelop you in his love and to fill you with all not and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Blessings, Omon. ❤️
I am struggling with depression and I don’t have the energy to pray or live life. Please pray for me.
I’m praying for you, Stephanie. Praying that the Lord will wrap you in his comfort and peace and give you the strength of his joy and the perseverance of Christ to help you hold on and keep going. You are seen and loved.
I am so weak. I’ve been praying for my marriage and husband but somehow I’ve given in. This is not because I want to give up, I’ve ran out of strength to pray and felt all power leave me. I do not want to give up, I want to pray even harder.
Hi Budge,
I’m praying for you. I’ve been there. When things were rocky in my marriage, every morning I prayed for God’s protection over my marriage and over both my and my husband’s hearts and minds, and I prayed through Ephesians 4, 5 and 6. When you don’t know what to pray, the best thing you can do is pray scripture. I made it a daily habit, and it completely turned our marriage around. Praying for God to give you peace and strength to keep contending for your marriage. ❤️🤗
Please assist me in prayer I recently have got no strength to pray, I need a job, my family is falling apart, I’m unable to to pay for my house.
Please help me in prayer I recently don’t have strength to pray, my family is falling apart, I need a job, I am failing to pay for my house my woman is moving out of the house because I can’t afford.
Praying that God will supply all your needs, that he’ll supply you with wisdom and direction, that he’ll strengthen and sustain you and wrap you in his comfort and peace, and that he’ll use these trials to grow you and your faith and draw you closer to Christ. ❤️
Pray for me,thing are not really working for me,am feeling discouraged to pray.
Praying that the Lord will strengthen and encourage you, give you wisdom and direction in your situation, shield you with His favor, comfort you and fill you with His peace. ❤️
Please pray with me
What do you need prayer for?
I need prayer for my mother’s recovery.
A month ago from today she had an accident and she had to go for a major surgery for her brain and she is yet to gain her consciousness however she was brought out from ICU to the recovery room but today all of the sudden her blood pressure went down and she was again taken back to ICU, can you please pray for her faster recovery.
Thanks.
My name is Shashank.
Praying! Keep me posted!
You word has reminded that being weak is ok in God’s presence thank you. Lately I have felt really stuck and completely tired of the world around me because nothing seems to be going right for me. I am emotionally mentally and physically weak. Please pray with me
I’m right there with you, Judith. Praying that the Lord will strengthen you with his joy and strength and fill you with his perfect peace. ❤️