A Prayer to Overcome Hardships
By Kelly Balarie
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Bible Reading: “I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people…” – Ephesians 1:18 NIV
Sitting in the dark, I couldn’t see anything. I couldn’t see the lake I knew was in front of me. I couldn’t see the trees that stood on the left side of the horizon. I couldn’t see the grass that is normally there.
I closed my eyes to consider how darkness is nothingness. If I didn’t know better, I’d assume nothing was there.
The same goes for hard times. When we assume everything is just hopelessness and darkness, we assume nothing is there. We assume that, because of the darkness of the season – God has nothing for us, that He will do nothing with us, and that it must be because He is angry at us.
In the darkness of a hard season, what is before us cannot be seen. It’s black. It’s grim. It’s foreboding even.
I believe this is why Paul prayed, “I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people…” (Eph. 1:18 NIV)
Only when the eyes of our hearts are enlightened do we see hope. Light brings hope. Light lets us see what’s ahead, “the hope to which He has called” us, “the riches of his glorious inheritance.” When we see these things, we see life come back into us. Light that allows us to see the lay of God’s land brings needed life back into our hearts, even if we are struggling through the darkest days.
This is a key to overcoming. If we only see what is bad, what is hard, what is dim, what is hopeless, what is worthless – we will travel like sojourners on a dark road, bumping into everything.
But, when God enlightens the eyes of our heart, we will then say things like, “Wow, God is using the hard times to make me wiser and stronger…”, “This test is the making of a great testimony…”, “Powerful ministry comes from broken places, healed”, “Whoa, God is building something that endures through eternity.”
God is always up to something more; light gives us eyes to see it.
Then, when purpose arises out of what was once a deathly problem, the light of hope comes rushing right into what was once a dark room
Let’s Pray:
Father, like Paul prayed, I ask that you enlighten the eyes of my heart, in order that I may know the hope to which you have called me. I ask that you help me to see the hope of my glorious inheritance in Christ Jesus. May I see and understand what you are doing. Father, turn my dark days into light, by the power of your ever-working grace. Give me eyes to see and a heart to understand, spiritually. In Jesus’ mighty name. Amen.
Photo Credit: GettyImages/fizkes
Related Resource: The Blind Spots Hurting Your Relationships, with Debra Fileta
In this episode of I Wish You Could Hear This, Shaunti and Jeff Feldhahn sit down with licensed professional counselor and bestselling author Debra Fileta for an honest and insightful conversation about the relationship blind spots many of us don’t realize we have. Together, they explore how emotional patterns, past wounds, and unrecognized habits can quietly shape the way we connect with others.
Debra shares practical wisdom on how to grow in self-awareness, strengthen communication, and take ownership of the ways we impact the people we love. Whether you’re dating, married, leading others, or simply wanting healthier relationships, this episode offers hope-filled tools to help you break unhealthy cycles and build deeper connection.
If you’ve ever wondered why relationships can feel harder than they should—or how to become a healthier version of yourself—this conversation is for you. Like what you hear? Be sure to follow I Wish You Could Hear This on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode!
Originally published Sunday, 02 February 2025.
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