Becky lives in Texas with her husband and two sons. She is passionate about supporting people in drawing nearer to Christ using Scripture, prayer, and journaling.
This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission from purchased products at no additional cost to you.
Are you facing hardship or carrying a heavy burden? God knows and He wants to help you. Pray for hope and strength with these 8 prayers.
At times in life, we may feel pressed by the weight of hardship, and pain. In those moments we can come to God in prayer, to find both hope and strength to carry on.
Through prayer, we can unburden ourselves before the Lord, and find rest and comfort in His presence. If you are facing a difficulty in life that has left you feeling hopeless, lean on God, and His strength that is made clear in our weakness.
8 Prayers for Hope & Strength
1. Prayer to Be Filled with Hope
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” – Romans 15:13
Father,
Apart from You, I have no hope and no help. Sometimes I forget this truth when life feels overwhelming, and I feel far away from the shore. But Your word reminds me that even in the storm, You have control over the waves, and can bring calm to the storm.
Please help me to remember this truth each day, especially on the days when my own strength fails me, and hope seems to be lost. Remind me that the hope I have in Christ is not only hope for this life, but hope for all eternity to come.
I ask that You would fill me with hope, and flood my heart with joy and peace. Strengthen my heart that I may hold firm to faith, and place my trust in You alone. May Your Holy Spirit empower me to abound in that hope. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.
2. Prayer to Trust in God As My Hope and Refuge
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” – Psalm 46:1
Lord,
I need You desperately. The troubles in my life feel as though they are stripping me of any joy, peace or hope. But I know that none of those things are dependent on my circumstances that are ever-changing. They are found in You, despite my circumstances.
I confess, it is so easy to forget this, and allow thoughts of despair to fill my heart and mind. But I am not alone, because You are with me. Please help me to place my trust in You, not only when it feels easy, but especially when life gets tough.
Please help me to trust You, as both my hope and my refuge. My hope, when it feels as though all is lost, and there is no light at the end of the tunnel. And my refuge, to whom I can run to for safety, and find myself surrounded by Your love and mercy. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.
3. Prayer for Strength
“My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to your word.” – Psalm 119:28
Gracious God,
I look to You, my God. When my soul is worn down and weary, where will I find strength but in You? When the darkest nights befall me, where will I find light, apart from You? You alone are my strength, and the lifter of my head.
You are the everlasting God. When the weight of life threatens to crush me, and to bring me to my knees, help me to take it as an opportunity to seek You, and to lay down my burdens before You. Help me to see Your strength made perfect in my weakness.
There is no one else but You who can give power to the weak, and strengthen those who are without any strength. I ask that You would strengthen me according to Your word, and make my weakness a testament to Your strength. In Jesus’ name, amen.
4. Prayer for Steadfastness
“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.” – 1 Corinthians 15:58
Heavenly Father,
I’m grateful for Your love that never fails, and that remains a steadfast anchor in my life. It’s in times like these, times when it feels as though hope is lost, and as though life only has troubles in store for me, that I realize that You are greater than all the troubles that I face, and You will not be moved.
My prayer is that You would fill me with the kind of immovability and steadfastness that only Your Holy Spirit can provide. When life feels as though it is going to uproot me, please help me to remain steadfast and faithful, trusting in You and Your goodness.
Please help me to stand firm in times of trouble, and to hide in You, instead of turning from You. Help me to serve You in every season and circumstance of my life, knowing that nothing that has been done in love and obedience to You, is done in vain. In Jesus’ name, amen.
5. Prayer for Compassion
“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”
Lord,
Thank You for a new day. There is not a single thing that we are owed, yet, You extend Your grace to me each day. Please help me to count my blessings, and even in times of hardship, to see Your hand and heart at work in my life.
In this time of difficulty, I ask that You would enfold me with Your arms of compassion and care. Help me to know that You are near, and that I am never alone. When I am tempted to believe that trials mean that You have forsaken me, remind me that those very trials You are walking me through.
Thank You for your great love, and for Your compassions that never fail. Thank You for Your mercies that are new each morning, and that I get to experience them each day. Help me to hold onto Your mercies and to cling to You for hope each day. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.
6. Prayer for His Presence
“But as for me, the nearness of God is my good; I have made the Lord God my refuge, that I may tell of all Your works.” – Psalm 73:28
Lord,
I don’t know what I would do, or where I would be without You. Thank You for Your loving presence that is with me. Thank You for giving me Your Holy Spirit, who lives inside of me, and who draws me nearer to You. Help me to remember that my hope is only a prayer away, found in Your presence.
In this tough time, where it feels like my hope is wavering and my strength is being tested, I ask that Your presence would be my refuge. Help me to run to You, and to find my peace in Your presence alone. Apart from You, I have nothing. Your nearness is my good.
Please do not hide Your face from me, or turn Your eyes away from me. Help me to turn from the things of the world that provide temporary hope and relief, and to make You my refuge, and my strength. In all things, may You be glorified in my life. In Jesus’ name, amen.
7. Prayer for Help
“Do not hide Your face from me, do not turn Your servant away in anger; You have been my help; do not abandon me nor forsake me, O God of my salvation!” – Psalm 27:9
Father,
I cry out to You for help. I don’t know how to bear this weight, and I feel as though I am losing hope, and running out of strength. Please hear my plea, and rescue me, Lord.
I know that my idea of Your rescuing may look like escaping this circumstance, but more than anything, I ask that You would help me to trust in Your wisdom, and love for me, no matter the outcome.
All I ask is that You would not hide Your face from me, Lord. Please don’t turn away from me, You are all that I have, and all that I need is found in You. Please forgive me for my unbelief, and revive my heart with Your hope.
You have been my help, and You will always be my help. Please reach out Your hand and rescue me. You alone are my salvation, God. Help me to trust in You. In Jesus’ name, amen.
8. Prayer for Encouragement
“In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33
Lord,
My heart feels heavy with discouragement. It hasn’t been easy, and I am having a hard time looking forward with hope. I know that trials are momentary, but the heat in the moment can feel unbearable at times. Please help me to remember that I am not meant to carry it alone.
Remind me that the troubles of this world are nothing new to You, and that You have overcome this world. Please help me to face the troubles in this world with hope that comes from Your word, and power that comes from Your Holy Spirit.
I ask that You would encourage my heart, and lift my head, that I may fix my eyes to You, where my help comes from. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.