Praying for Strength When You Feel Like Giving Up

This is Part 2, “Prayer” of the Series “Anchored in God: Spiritual Practices for Hard Times”.

Feel like giving up? I’ve been there.

When my granddaughter Anna was in a four-wheeler accident, the hope of her waking up became slimmer each day. She had sustained a brain injury, which was permanent unless the Lord intervened. Getting up each morning to sit with her was necessary, yet each move I made was slow and heavy. This went on for six months until she passed away.

Without the Lord’s strength, my daughter and I would have collapsed. We loved Anna and knew we had to do everything we could for her good. We often felt we could not take another step, and could not have without the Lord.

Why Should You Pray to God for Strength When You Feel Like Giving Up?

Psalm 46:1-3 NIV “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.”

God is the Source of Our Strength

We don’t need to hunt for strength. In Psalm 46, we see that God is our refuge and strength. This is a promise that God is there for us in our troubles. He does not hide when times are bad, but extends Himself to us. We can go to Him in safety and receive His gift of strength.

Nothing is too important for God to give you the strength you need gladly. Asking is the only thing you need to do. Feel like giving up? Go into the presence of God.

Overwhelmed? A hard decision to make? Apply this truth to your life. Pray first, ask for guidance and allow the Lord to strengthen you.

God is Ready to Strengthen You Now

In Psalm 46:1, the Psalmist declares that God is always present to strengthen you, “an ever-present help in trouble“.

We often wait until we’re coming apart at the seams to go to the Lord for help. Maybe it doesn’t seem important enough at the moment, but as it builds, the pressure becomes overwhelming.

Matthew 28:20 NIV “and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

How wonderful it is to have a God who loves us enough to be willing to help us at any moment! If you are beginning to feel stressed, go to the Lord at that time before it builds.

Remember, God’s purpose is for you to have strength and peace in your life regardless of your circumstances. It may sound impossible at times, but nothing is impossible with God.

God Provides Guidance

James 1:5-6 NIV “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.”

Many times, our stress comes from indecision. We go back and forth on what to do. God can alleviate that problem, too.

You can have God’s wisdom; you have to ask for it. Think of how vast His knowledge is, and you have access to it.

There is a condition: you need to believe without any doubt that God will give it to you. Sometimes you ask, not really confident that He will help you.

God is Reliable

Romans 8:28 NIV “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

Do you hesitate at times because you’re not confident in God? You might think that is silly, but of course, you’re satisfied in God.

Are you really? Maybe you are, but have you asked Him for strength and guidance? Have you hesitated?

Romans 8:28 tells us God is interested in helping His children. Their good is what He is about. Even through the Isaelites were not always obedient, God always was available to them for their good.

It may not seem that way at times, but God knows what’s best for us. How many times has good come out of trials in your life?

God Gives Us Peace

Philippians 4:6-7 NIV “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

When we go to the Lord for strength, He not only relieves our anxiety but gives us a peace unlike anything else. This peace also guards our hearts and minds as we walk with the Lord.

The more we rely on the Lord for His strength, the easier it becomes to build a habit of going to Him first.

When have you experienced God’s peace as He strengthened you? It is a welcome relief from the turmoil created by our world.

Journaling is a good method to help you remember how God has blessed you in the past. This is encouragement when you are experiencing trials.

Conclusion

We have discussed the reasons in this post why we should pray for strength when we feel like giving up.

• God is the source of your strength.
• God is ready to strengthen you now.
• God provides guidance.
• God is reliable.
• God gives us peace.

God has all the answers we need; we can go to Him for strength. I know Kristy (my daughter) and I did not have the strength to carry on when Anna was between this life and the next. The Lord was the only source we had, and we will praise His Name continually for that gift.

As a Christian, you can have that same privilege any time you need it. It’s yours for the asking.

Reflection Questions:

• When you feel like giving up, do you seek help from the Lord?
• Do you have a habit of going to the Lord in prayer?
• Do you thank Him for His help in the past?

Click here to read the first post in the series: “10 Bible Verses to Hold on to When Life Feels Hard”