8 Prayers for Hope in Difficult Times
Instead of sitting in my usual chair beside the window, I recently went to the porch at daybreak. Something about being immersed in the morning light felt nothing short of redemptive. Opening my journal, I was reminded of a different season. The page offered prayers for hope in difficult times.
Prayers for Hope in Difficult Times
We’re not in the middle of a crisis right now, but as I read the prayers from years ago, was filled with hope for the long winter months ahead.
Perhaps you need hope today as well. If so, here are eight prayers of hope to encourage you. Be sure to read to the end of today’s post for a free devotional eBook to give you hope in difficult times.
8 Prayers for Hope in Difficult Times
1. Ask God to help you keep your eyes fixed on him.
Before he went to the cross, Jesus pressed ahead for the joy set before him.
Hebrews 12:1-2 reads, “Therefore, since we also have such a great cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let’s rid ourselves of every obstacle and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let’s run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking only at Jesus, the originator and perfecter of the faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (NASB).
When we keep our eyes on Jesus, his love fills us with hope. We can endure uncertainty and even suffering because he gives us strength.
Here is a prayer:
“Lord Jesus, thank you for setting the example of what it looks like to press forward for the joy set before us. Help me keep my eyes on you as I endure this difficult time. It’s easy to become distracted and look at the storm surrounding me. Instead of looking at the storm, help me keep my eyes on you.”
2. Pray that you will find your hope in Jesus’ presence with you.
Before he ascended into heaven, Jesus reminded his followers that he would be with them always (Matthew 28:20).
Rather than putting our hope in changed circumstances, we can heave hope in difficult times because Jesus is with us. Nothing reaches us without passing through his protective arms first. He is our good Shepherd, and he will guide and carry us through even the darkest times.
Here is a prayer:
“Dear Lord, thank you for your promise to be with me always. I admit that it’s tempting to put my hope in reaching the end of the trial I am currently facing. Instead of putting my hope in better circumstances, help me find my hope in your loving presence with me, guiding me and helping me. Help me experience you in new ways as I walk through this time.”
Instead of putting my hope in better circumstances, help me find my hope in your loving presence with me, guiding me and helping me. #hope #faith #trust Share on X
3. Pray for endurance to continue pressing forward.
We all need endurance to complete the work God calls us to do. Here is a prayer for endurance:
“Lord God, I turn to you for strength today. Thank you for seeing me as I am and imparting your grace in my life every day. Please empower me by your Spirit so that I can endure and complete the work you have set before me. Help me not to grow weary in doing good. Reveal your perfect power in my weakest moments.”
4. Ask God to strengthen you for the journey.
God’s power is perfected when we are at our weakest. If you’ve reached the end of your strength, there is good news for you today. You are in the perfect place to watch God work in power.
Here is a prayer:
“Father God, thank you for revealing your power in my life. I confess that I tend to rely on my own strength and abilities rather than turning to you in weakness. This is a bold prayer, but I ask you to bring me to the end of my human strength so that I might experience your perfect power working in and through me. Help me trust you as I wait for you.”
5. Pray for the patience to wait on God’s perfect timing.
Waiting for God to move in difficult situations can be painful. As you wait for God to make himself known or deliver you, pray the following prayer:
“God, thank you that you are never late. At times, it feels like you’ve forgotten me or are late, but you are always right on time. I also know that you go before me, and no matter where I go, you are already there. Please help me settle down and wait on your perfect timing in this difficult situation. Help me trust that you will change this situation when your work is complete.”
6. Pray for eyes to see God’s tangible beacons of hope and support.
God is always present, and he surrounds us with sources of hope and support. Often, we need only ask him to open our eyes and help us recognize them.
Here is a prayer:
“Lord God, thank you for caring for me deeply. Please open my eyes to receive your sources of love and support. Lead me to the people who will uplift me and the resources you have placed in my life. Open my heart to experience your hope through these vessels.”
7. Ask God to comfort you.
God is the source of all comfort. He comforts us in our troubles so that we might learn to comfort others.
Here is a prayer for God’s comfort:
“God, thank you for being a good Father. Please help me experience your comfort and remember that you walk with me through every difficult situation. Remind me to put my hope in your presence with me and enable me to experience the peace I find in your presence.”
8. Pray that you will be a light to others.
God gives us hope so that we might share his hope with others.
Here is a prayer for being a light in this dark world:
“Dear heavenly Father, thank you for the light you bring into my life. I ask that your light will flow through me in such a way that others will experience your hope and peace through me. Make me your vessel.”
If these prayers for hope have blessed you, I invite you to download my free devotional below. Also, check out our kids’ devotional books and women’s books below. These make thoughtful gifts for the people you care about.
Calling All Parents (and Grandparents)!
As the parent of two sons and a daughter, I have a heart for helping parents develop deeper relationships with their children and with God. Our kids, ages 6, 11, and 15, share this vision. They have helped me write three family devotionals for parents or older relatives to read with the children and teens they love. You can find all three books here or read more below.
Calling All Boy Moms (and Dads)!
God’s Warrior: Devotions for Boys Who Want to Grow in Courage and Strength helps young boys, ages 5-13, learn what it means to trust God and become strong warriors for his kingdom. Now, more than ever, our world needs men who are willing to boldly carry God’s love into the world. I wrote this boys’ devotional book with our two young sons, Aiden and Caleb, ages six and eleven! You’ll enjoy their honesty as we teach boys how to be strong warriors for the Lord. Find this life-changing devotional book here.
Mother-Daughter Devotionals by a Mom and Daughter
Girl to Girl: 60 Mother-Daughter Devotions for a Closer Relationship and Deeper Faith is written for girls ages 7-12. It includes 60 devotions with Scripture, conversation starters, and a shared journaling section for moms and daughters after each devotion. I wrote this book with the help of our daughter, Bekah, when she was eleven. Find this one-of-a-kind shared devotional here.
Heart to Heart: A Mother-Daughter Devotional With 50 Devotions for Teen Girls is for teenage girls ages 13-20. It includes 50 devotions, each with a shared journaling section to help moms and daughters connect through writing. This is a great book for moms who want to communicate about awkward topics—like dating, sexuality, peer pressure, and more—but don’t know where to start. Bekah and I will help you right here.
Find Our Family Devotionals Here
Find all three books right here. They are also free on the Kindle Unlimited plan, which you can enjoy with a free three-month trial! These books make great gifts, and you don’t need to be the parent of young children to read them. Share them with your grandchildren, nieces, nephews, or the young ones you love.
Learn Why Willpower Doesn’t Work and Experience God’s Deliverance and Healing
God wants to work in your life to accomplish what you’ve been unable to do through willpower alone. Lean Into Grace: Let God’s Grace Heal Your Heart, Refresh Your Soul, and Set You Free shares practical ways to experience God’s freedom, healing, power, and presence in your life. Find this life-changing book as a free eBook on Kindle Unlimited or for 12.99 in print right here. (If you do not have Kindle Unlimited, you can try it out with a free three-month trial!) This book will transform your life and revitalize your relationship with the Lord!
A Free Devotional to Help You Find Peace in God’s Presence
I invite you to create space for God to transform your life by downloading a free copy of my devotional eBook, The Lean Into Grace Devotional: An 8-Day Devotional for Healing, Deliverance, and Replenishment. Find it for free here. I also offer a library of free online devotional eBooks for free. I invite you to explore the collection right here!
