A Prayer for Determination When You Feel Depleted
By Keri Eichberger
Bible Reading:
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. - 2 Corinthians 12:9
Listen or Read Below:
It was the first day of school. Well, for four of my kids, anyway. This was finally the year we’d send our oldest off to college, and he still had eight more days at home—not that I’d been woefully counting. But for the most part, summer had suddenly come to a screeching halt. And my word, was I whooped! Full on mom mode for several super steamy-hot months, left time for work hard to come by, resulting in a backlog of stuff to get done with decreasing days of non-negotiable deadlines. I had little time to do many things, and my determination was about 99% depleted. I just wanted to recoup and rest. My husband encouraged me to do just that, as he busily scurried to catch up on work too. But who are we kidding? Sometimes life isn’t forgiving enough to offer the plush, comforting cushion of extra time and refills of refreshment that we think we need. At which times it seems imperative to me to just hunker down and dig deep for the determination to meet the pressing demands.
Do you feel this? Depleted, yet desperately needing determination to follow through with something? Maybe your schedule has been more stuffed, your mental load has felt heavier, or you’ve been bearing greater physical limitations or health struggles than your norm. All of which are wearying your body, soul, and spirit. And surely if you’ve been weighed down more, the pressure to keep up with life feels heavier too. Of course it does, there are always things to be tended to and done. So I’m sure, like me, in your season of depletion, you’re dying for doses of determination too.
I wonder, have you stopped and asked God what he thinks about this predicament? Because I’m guilty of forgetting at times. But I believe if we did, he’d have some comforting truths to not only relieve some of the burden we’ve been bearing, but also offer us some strength to move forward with purposeful progress. For me, there is a word that anchors me both on days of depletion and in moments when I need determination. It's a word that offers breaths of both peace and refreshment. And it’s grace. Specifically God’s grace.
I appreciate some of the additional detail in the Amplified Bible’s version of 2 Corinthians 12:9 which reads, “but He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you [My lovingkindness and My mercy are more than enough—always available—regardless of the situation]; for [My] power is being perfected [and is completed and shows itself most effectively] in [your] weakness.” Therefore, I will all the more gladly boast in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ [may completely enfold me and] may dwell in me.”
As I try to quickly recover from tiring, trying months, I need to quickly remember God’s grace. Because in my weakness, it is his always-available grace that will replace the feeling of pressure to perform with the refreshment of freedom to rest that I long for. And as I deeply receive the merciful, loving-kindness of his sufficient grace, it washes over and restores my being as the perfect power of the Holy Spirit enfolds me, dwells and swells in me. And then sufficiently strengthens me to do whatever he wills for my day, my season, and my life.
God’s grace is sufficient for you, too. Receive it. Receive him. Let the freedom of rest and refreshment fill you. His gift of grace is enough for, and will restore, you and your depleted soul. His grace is sufficient for, and will replenish, your needed strength. And God’s grace will help you and empower you to sufficiently take on that which is right before you. Both now and forever.
Let’s Pray:
God of Grace, You are my anchor when I am weak. Your free gift of grace comforts my depleted soul and refreshes my wearying spirit. And knowing that no work my hands can do can change your care and love for me offers me constant comfort and soul rest.
Lord, I continually yearn for your restoration as the world wears me down. I long to hold tight to the truth that your grace never leaves me. And as I rest in your grace, I find freedom in the release of expectation. I find the fortification that enfolds me with your perfect strength and power. And all I need to do to receive that which I long for is to receive you. Thank you for your restoring grace and your sufficient strength.
In your perfect Name, Amen.
If you liked what you read, I think you will love my latest book, Win Over Worry: Conquer What Shakes You and Soar With the One Who Overcomes. You can find it on Amazon or your favorite online retail site. I hope it blesses you!
Share your reflections on today’s devotional in the Your Daily Prayer discussion on the Crosswalk Forum.
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/ Marco Bottigelli
Related Resource: Your Kids' Spiritual Growth Matters More Than Harvard: Gary Thomas on Parenting for Eternity
Gary Thomas (bestselling author of Sacred Marriage, Sacred Parenting) is back on the podcast to discuss his latest book, The Life You Were Reborn to Live: Dismantling 12 Lies About Remaining in God's Love. Gary challenges common parenting myths that Christians often fall into, and offers practical ways on how to live life God's way, not the world's.
Let's learn together how to create Christ-centered homes, prioritize God's kingdom over family idols, and embrace spiritual adventure over control. If you like what you hear, be sure to follow The Happy Home Podcast with Arlene Pellicane on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode!
Originally published Thursday, 29 January 2026.
SHARE
