“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is- his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:2
The pattern of this world is stress and anxiety because our enemy’s strategy is to snatch and confuse. He’s an accuser, a liar who encourages disobedience to God and blinds the minds of those who don’t believe in Christ. The antidote to stress is transformation. A renewing of the mind.
When we’re pushed and pulled until we’re numb, we can’t seem to think straight. Following the wisdom of Romans 12:2 can seem daunting, but the lifelong process of getting there will fill our lives with hope along the way.
If you’re having one of those moments or seasons where you’re stressed out and don’t know what to pray, I hope this prayer helps you to recalibrate and hear God’s clear voice of direction and comfort.
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A Prayer for When You’re Stressed and Don’t Know What to Pray
Father,
You are a God who understands our strife. Jesus is a Savior who fully empathizes with our daily woes. You are not a God who simply gives commands and demands sacrifice. No, Your kindness and love are unmatched. For every situation we find ourselves in, You provide a way. We are stretched and stressed by sleeplessness, sickness, loss, and many other trials.
Ever-present, always aware and involved in our well-being, Your heart is moved by prayer. Father, You hear us, see us, and guide us when we seek Your wisdom. You have good plans for us, but when we’re at our wits’ end we are often blinded to the hope and possibility You have purposed for us to walk into.
It’s Your voice we need to calm our insecurities and reconstruct our confidence. We don’t know what to pray, but You have already gone ahead of us and provided a solution. The Holy Spirit translates the inner mutterings of our hearts. All we have to do is aim them towards Your capable hands.
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Thank You for a peace that only comes from You.
Life can feel like it’s falling a part when we consider the world’s way of functioning. It can spin out of control and we quickly come to the end of ourselves. Peace comes only from You. The name of Jesus is powerful, and You have given us that power to use in our everyday lives. Empower us to speak His name when we feel panicked. Grant us a renewed trust in You.
We spend a lot of time trying to manufacture peace in our lives and our minds, when You gently remind us today that peace stems from our hearts. Father, we often look for peace in all the wrong places: in a paycheck, a career, a happy home, stable marriage, successful children, trendy new clothes or physical fitness. But all of these things will pass away. Peace comes from You. In our frazzled moments, remind us of the truth in John 14:27:
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
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Thank You for the encouragement You have woven into our lives.
Father, thank you for the blessings in our lives. For Christ, prayer, and Your sovereign hand. For the people You have purposely placed in our lives to encourage us. Thank you for the talents we have and the opportunities you have laid out before us. For our families and communities. When we don’t have the words to pray, we are thankful we can simply look to You, throw our arms up, and pour our hearts out.
Bless and heal the parts of our hearts that harbor anything that keeps us from walking fully in your peace. Give us the obedience to grow out of habits that contribute to our stress and steal our peace. Remind us of who we are, in You.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.
“Megs” writes about everyday life within the love of Christ. She stepped out of her comfort zone, and her Marketing career, to obey God’s call to stay home and be “Mom” in 2011. From that step of obedience her blog, Sunny&80, was born, a way to retain the funny everyday moments of motherhood. Meg is also a freelance writer and author of “Friends with Everyone.” She loves leading her Monday morning Bible study, being a dance mom, distance running and photography. Meg resides in Northern Ohio with her husband, two daughters, and Golden-Doodle … all avid Cleveland Browns fans.
This article is part of our Prayers resource meant to inspire and encourage your prayer life when you face uncertain times. Visit our most popular prayers if you are wondering how to pray or what to pray. Remember, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us and God knows your heart even if you can't find the words to pray.
Serenity Prayer
The Lord’s Prayer
Irish Blessings & Prayers
Morning Prayers
Good Night Prayers
Prayer for Healing
Prayer for Protection
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Originally published Thursday, 07 February 2019.
