Hard days at work or at home can spring upon you without much warning. These difficult times can impact your well-being in mental, emotional, and physical ways, and oftentimes make you feel too weak to face what life is throwing at you today. But God already knows that you are strong enough to take on any obstacle no matter the size or weight, and these prayers for strength will give you the courage you may need to remember just how resilient you are.
Sometimes it can be easier to give in to the overwhelming swirl of thoughts and emotions that tend to arise when you are struggling in any situation. But seeking guidance through faith is one avenue to explore that may also provide you with a sense of comfort and peace. Of course, there is no "right way" on the path towards healing, but tuning in with your faith through prayer can offer a quiet sanctuary where you can find strength when you may be feeling your weakest. These prayers about strength will empower you so that you can make it through the hardest days. And if you have a family member or friend who is struggling, you can share one of these prayers with them to send a little (or a lot of) strength their way.
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1
More than ever I find myself in the hands of God. This is what I have wanted all my life from my youth. But now there is a difference; the initiative is entirely with God. It is indeed a profound spiritual experience to know and feel myself so totally in God's hands.
— Pedro Arrupe, S.J.
2
Holy Spirit, drive away from me all forms of sickness and disease. Restore strength to my body and joy to my spirit, so that in my renewed health, I may bless and serve you, now and forevermore.
— Unknown
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3
Dear God,
I am sick and tired of being sick and tired. I reach forward today, touch the hem of Your garment, and receive my healing. Yes, I want to get well. Give me the faith to walk in freedom and victory.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
— Sharon Jaynes
4
Gracious God, only source of life and health: Help, comfort, and relieve me, and give your power of healing to those who minister to my needs; that my weakness may be turned to strength and confidence in your loving care; for the sake of Jesus Christ.
Amen.
— Episcopal prayer
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5
Breathe in me O Holy Spirit, that my thoughts may all be holy. Act in me O Holy Spirit, that my work, too, may be holy. Draw my heart O Holy Spirit, that I love but what is holy. Strengthen me O Holy Spirit, to defend all that is holy. Guard me, then, O Holy Spirit, that I always may be holy.
Amen.
— St. Augustine of Hippo
6
O God of peace, who hast taught us that in returning and rest we shall be saved, in quietness and confidence shall be our strength: By the might of thy Spirit lift us, we pray thee, to thy presence, where we may be still and know that thou art God; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
— Episcopal prayer
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7
I pray that, according to the riches of his glory, he may grant that you may be strengthened in your inner being with power through his Spirit, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love.
— Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, 3:16–17
8
When evil darkens our world, give us light. When despair numbs our souls, give us hope. When we stumble and fall, lift us up. When doubts assail us, give us faith. When nothing seems sure, give us trust. When ideals fade, give us vision. When we lose our way, be our guide! That we may find serenity in Your presence, and purpose in doing Your will.
— John D. Rayner
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9
O Lord, support us all the day long, until the shadows lengthen, and the evening comes, and the busy world is hushed, and the fever of life is over, and our work is done. Then in your mercy, grant us a safe lodging and a holy rest, and peace at the last.
Through Jesus Christ Our Lord, Amen.
— Cardinal John Henry Newman
10
Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and through grace gave us eternal comfort and good hope, comfort your hearts and strengthen them in every good work and word.
— Paul’s second letter to the Thessalonians, 2:16–17
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11
God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things that I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.
— Serenity prayer by Reinhold Niebuhr
12
God, you are my help and comfort; you shelter and surround me in love so tender that I may know your presence with me, now and always.
Amen.
— Episcopal prayer
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13
O Lord, we are at the limits of our power to help. For what we have left undone, forgive us. For what you have helped us to do, we thank you. For what must be done by others, lend your strength. Now shelter us in your peace which passes our understanding.
Amen.
— Episcopal prayer
14
God, you are our hiding place and our refuge in the time of distress. We turn to you now, seeking comfort from the wounds of the world and power to face all our afflictions. Be present in our struggle, and help us to rest in your eternal promises.
Amen.
— United Church of Christ prayer
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15
Blessed Jesus, in the comfort of your love, I lay before you the memories that haunt me, the anxieties that perplex me, the despair that frightens me, and my frustration at my inability to think clearly. Help me to discover your forgiveness in my memories and know your peace in my distress. Touch me, O Lord, and fill me with your light and your hope.
Amen.
— Episcopal prayer
16
Dear God, please give me strength when I am weak, love when I feel forsaken, courage when I am afraid, wisdom when I feel foolish, comfort when I am alone, hope when I feel rejected, and peace when I am in turmoil.
Amen.
— Unknown
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17
O God my refuge and strength: in this place of unrelenting light and noise, enfold me in your holy darkness and silence, that I may rest secure under the shadow of your wings.
Amen.
— Episcopal prayer
18
Forgive me, O my God, and graciously protect me this night. Blessed Virgin Mary, my dear heavenly mother, take me under your protection. St. Joseph, my dear guardian angel, and all you saints of God, pray for me. Sweet Jesus, have pity on all poor sinners, and save them from hell.
— Catholic prayer
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19
O Lord, You are the light that guides my feet. You are the map that gives me direction. You are the peace that makes me strong. You are the leader whom I faithfully follow. May your light illuminate my life and your guidance bring direction. May I find inspiration in your word and peace in my heart as I follow you.
Amen.
— Unknown
20
Lord Christ, you came into the world as one of us, and suffered as we do. As I go through the trials of life, help me to realize that you are with me at all times and in all things; that I have no secrets from you; and that your loving grace enfolds me for eternity. In the security of your embrace I pray.
Amen.
— Episcopal prayer
FAQs
What is a powerful prayer for strength during difficult times? ›
I need to know that you care, that you love me, be my refuge from pain, replacing my distress with peace, and be my strength when I feel weak and find it hard to carry on. Help me not to fear the future but to boldly trust that you are in control when my emotions plunge me down, and when I am in despair.
What is the miracle prayer for strength? ›Lord Jesus, I come before you, just as I am, I am sorry for my sins, I repent of my sins, please forgive me. In your Name, I forgive all others for what they have done against me. I renounce Satan, the evil spirits and all their works. I give you my entire self, Lord Jesus, now and forever.
What is a prayer for better days in strength? ›Father in heaven, I stand before You today in Your omnipotent presence to ask that You grant me strength. I want You to give me the strength to power through all of the tasks today — whether little or big. It is by Your will that I live oh Lord. And I know it is also by Your will I will not go weak today.
Where in the Bible does it say to pray for strength during difficult times? ›Isaiah 41:10 Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Psalm 46:1-3 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
What is the most powerful prayer that never fails? ›The most effective prayer, the one that is always answered, is this: “Father, glorify Your name.” “Answer my cry, O Lord, in a way that will accomplish Your will, for Your will is good, acceptable, and perfect. It is best for You, and therefore best for me and any others who may be affected by this prayer.
What are the 3 powerful prayers? ›The prayer of protection. The prayer of transformation. The prayer of restoration.
What is a powerful prayer for health and strength? ›Think, O' God, of our friend who is ill, whom we now commend to Your compassionate regard. that no healing is too hard if it be Your will. We therefore pray that You bless our friend with Your loving care, renew his/her strength, and heal what ails him/her in Your loving name.
What is the miracle prayer for impossible requests? ›Novena for Impossible Requests – First Request
To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve; to thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy towards us; and after this our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb Jesus.
Be near me in my time of weakness and pain; sustain me by your grace, that my strength and courage may not fail; heal me according to your will; and help me always to believe that what happens to me here is of little account if you hold me in eternal life, my Lord and my God. Amen.
What is a good Bible verse for strength? ›Psalm 59:9, 16 and17
“You are my strength, I watch for you; you, God, are my fortress, my God on whom I can rely. … I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble.
What is prayer the most powerful form of? ›
Prayer. The most powerful form of energy one can generate is not mechanical, electronic or even atomic energy, but prayer energy.
What is an encouraging verse about hard times? ›Psalm 55:22 “Cast your burden on the LORD, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.” A powerful verse, Psalm 55:22 touches on how you don't have to go it alone when times are tough. Instead, turn to the Lord who will 'sustain' you and help you get through it.
What does God say about going through hard times? ›The Bible tells us that even as we walk through hard times, God is with us (Joshua 1:9; Isaiah 41:10). Hard times are never pleasant; however, God can teach us a lot through hard times. During hard times, we will face trials, temptations, and tribulations, yet the Lord never leaves us during these times.
What is the prayer to never give up? ›Lord, never let us give up hope that difficult times and situations will end one day. Father God, strengthen us. We can do all things through Jesus. We pray in the name of Jesus.
What is the most powerful prayer in the Bible? ›The Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13): “'Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be your name, Your kingdom come, Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, As we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one.
What is the shortest most powerful prayer? ›The Prophet Muhammed ﷺ said: “My Dear Uncle, ask Allah for Afiyah for Wallahi, you cannot be given anything better than Afiyah.” It is a simple Dua, Sincerely mean what you say while praying. “O Allah, I ask You to be saved from any Distress, Grief, Hardship, Harm, and don't test me, etc.”
What is a good prayer to say everyday? ›Help me to keep my heart pure and undivided. Protect me from my own careless thoughts, words, and actions. And keep me from being distracted by my wants, my desires, my thoughts on how things should be. Help me to embrace what comes my way as an opportunity, rather than a personal inconvenience.
What is the best prayer before bed? ›Dear God, as I lay me down to sleep, relax the tension of my body; calm the restlessness of my mind; still the thoughts which worry and perplex me.
What is the powerful three word prayer to the Holy Spirit? ›Lord, create in me a clean heart and a right spirit before You. Give me a new, positive, joyful, loving, and forgiving attitude toward others. Where there is anything that needs to change in me, I pray You would enable that change to happen. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
What Psalm is strength and courage? ›Psalm 27:14
“Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!”
What is a good Bible verse for strength and healing? ›
"Heal me, Lord, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise." “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives.
What are powerful prayers for all situations? ›Heavenly Father, I humble myself before you asking for your hand of support during these difficult situations. You are my refuge and my strength; my present help in trouble. Hold my hand and do not let me fall. Let your grace be upon me during these times of anguish.
How do you overcome impossible situations? ›- Observe your situation from a distance.
- Cut everything until you find something to win at.
- Embrace the lessons learned.
- Put yourself in the best possible mental and physical state.
Lord, especially when we fear and doubt, remind us of all the ways you know us and know what we need. Lord, help us to hide your promises about fear and doubt in our heart through scripture memory. Lord, you know the way we fear and doubt and yet your Holy word is full of verses that call us away from fear and anxiety.
How do you pray for inner strength? ›Loving God, please grant me peace of mind and calm my troubled heart. My soul is like a turbulent sea. I can't seem to find my balance so I stumble and worry constantly. Give me the strength and clarity of mind to find my purpose and walk the path you've laid out for me.
What is a prayer for energy and strength? ›Lord, my refuge, you renew my strength, and I can find rest under the shadow of your wings. Grant me grace for the rest of my day, and give me the gift of deep sleep tonight. Tomorrow, help me wake up in your new mercies, and to focus on serving you and others with the strength you give me for tomorrow.
How do you pray for strength and patience? ›Please forgive me, and help me to be patient with others, as You have been patient with me. Please also grant me Your grace that enables me to wait patiently for Your return, and to labor steadfastly in the meantime. It's in the name of my Savior, Jesus Christ, that I pray. Amen.
What is the most uplifting Bible verse? ›"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Which Psalm is for strength? ›Psalm 27 is a Psalm of strength, reminding those in a holding pattern that God's sovereignty and plan will prevail. Attributed to David, and probably written during his early life on the run from King Saul, the Psalm opens with praise and challenge. “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?
Which Psalm asks for strength? ›Psalm 46:1-3
"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging."
What is the most powerful healing prayer in the Bible? ›
"Heal me, Lord, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise."
What is the purest form of prayer? ›In the Christian tradition, the purest form of prayer is the surrender of our entire being to God - a loving presence that infuses all that we say and do.
What is the most basic prayer? ›Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
How do you not lose hope in difficult times? ›- What are you hopeful for? ...
- Remind yourself that this isn't forever. ...
- Look ahead to post-pandemic times. ...
- Control what you can. ...
- Turn to faith and spirituality. ...
- Combat your negative thoughts. ...
- Make time for fun.
Stay Positive
Staying positive is only a small part in getting through the difficult times, but it's an important part. When you stay positive, you're putting yourself in the best position possible to not only make it through those bad times, but become a better person in the process.
- This is what the Lord promises to do for us when we are facing hard times: He will keep you safe, He will hide you, He will be close to you, and ultimately, He will turn the situation around and help you stand, sure and secure.
What verses are rejoicing in hard times? ›1 Peter 4:13. “But rejoice in as much as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.” The Good News: Even if we are suffering, we should be happy that we are in God's graces.
What does the Bible say about perseverance through hard times? ›"And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up." "As for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good." "For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised." "But the one who endures to the end will be saved."
How does God comfort us in the midst of suffering? ›God comforts us through the Bible and also through prayer. While he knows the words we will speak before we ever say them and he knows even our thoughts, he wants us to tell him what is on our mind and what we are worried about.
What does Jesus say about getting through hard times? ›Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” And Jesus said to him, “'If you can'! All things are possible for one who believes.” And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
What is the prayer of hope and comfort? ›
“Lord, You love me and by Your grace have given me eternal comfort and a wonderful hope. Now, comfort and strengthen me in every good thing I do and say.”
What is the prayer for comfort and peace? ›Lord Jesus, we ask you to give us all around peace in our mind, body, soul and spirit. We want you to heal and remove everything that is causing stress, grief, and sorrow in our lives. Please guide our path through life and make our enemies be at peace with us.
What is the short prayer for strength and courage in difficult times for a friend? ›Lord, I come before you today knowing that all power is in Your hand. I know that you are the Lord and that you care for your people. Right now, my friend is struggling with a difficult trial. I can see her strength is faltering, Lord, and know that you have all of the strength that she needs.
How do you pray for someone going through a hard time? ›Father, please watch over my friend, keep her safe, comfort her through this hard time. May your love settle upon her, may she dwell in your acceptance and truth. Might she rest in your peace and find restoration in your care. Lead me as I seek to care for her.
What is the most comforting scripture? ›One of the most comforting verses in the Bible is found in Deuteronomy 31:6, “Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you; he will not leave you or forsake you."
What is a prayer for not losing hope? ›Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. I wait for the Lord, my soul waits and I hope for his word.
What is the scripture for peace comfort and strength? ›Psalm 46:1-3
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.
Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand.
What is the best short prayer? ›“Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.”
What is the shortest and most powerful prayer? ›“My Dear Uncle, ask Allah for Afiyah for Wallahi, you cannot be given anything better than Afiyah.” It is a simple Dua, Sincerely mean what you say while praying. “O Allah, I ask You to be saved from any Distress, Grief, Hardship, Harm, and don't test me, etc.”
Who said pray for strength to endure a difficult one? ›
strength to endure a difficult one. ' -Bruce Lee.