God never promised us this life would be easy, but He does promise this: He is bigger than any storm we face in this world. And He’s always working for our good, even in the places where we can’t see, even in the circumstances that we don’t fully understand. He is with us, right in the midst of all we walk through.
Our storms might look different in this life, but they all have the opportunity to change us – forever. And God is the Only One who has the power to take what seems tragic and devastating to turn it around for good. It may not happen as quickly as we’d like, it may feel like a struggle; we might find ourselves longing for another way, but blessing will come from it. For it’s the way God works. The “good” will shine through.
In some of the most difficult times in life, I’ve learned the power of praying God’s words back to him. It alone holds the ability to soothe our souls, to refresh our spirits, and cause hope to rise above the pain we might be feeling. And though our circumstances may not be immediately changed, though our hearts may still be hurting, we’re reminded through His Truth to set our eyes on Him. And that’s the best place for them to be – in all of life.
Be assured today, He knows your way, He sees your pain, He hasn’t forgotten you, and He’s still at work, even through the most difficult of times.
Dear God,
You remind us over and over in your Word that you are always with us. You tell us not to fear and you draw us close into your Presence. You’re the only place we find refuge in the storms that surround us right now Lord. You’re the only place we can find peace and strength. So we ask you for your words of truth and power to strengthen us in our inner being and life our hearts to you. Thank you for your goodness, thank you that you know the way we take and you have a plan. We look to you today our Lord and Savior, it’s your face we seek.
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear…” Psalm 46:1-2
Thank you Lord for your word that says you give us the power to come out of this trial “as gold.” Thank you that this storm will not last forever, but we’re only passing through. Thank you that nothing has taken you by surprise. You know our journey better than we know it ourselves, and you will use this time of testing for good.
“But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold.” Job 23:10
Thank you Lord that you are Victorious over every trouble and obstacle. Thank you that you have overcome sin, and death, and any evil that we may face today. And because of you, we too are overcomers. We too can have victory, and we can walk strong in your peace.
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
Thank you Lord that you are our Redeemer and will not waste our pain. Thank you that we can be assured all things, not some things but all, will work together for good, for those who love you and are called according to your purpose.
“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.” Romans 8:28
Thank you Lord that You are producing in us great endurance through the hard places. You are building spiritual muscle. We press in close to your Presence today, and no matter what obstacles we’re facing, we choose joy.
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” James 1:2-3
Lord, thank you that our comfort abounds through Christ. Nothing in the world can bring us the comfort and peace that you alone can offer. Thank you that you understand our trials, and you care. Through our own struggle and pain, help us to be your vessels to offer comfort and strength to others who are hurting.
“…Who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ.” 2 Corinthians 1:4-5
Thank you Lord that through every weakness and hard place, your strength is displayed in our lives. We can’t do it on our own. But you can, through us. Your power is Mighty within us, you are our Helper and our Strength. All things are possible through you.
“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. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:9-10
Lord thank you that through this trial you are using our lives and circumstances to make a mark on this world. Draw us close to yourself. May many know of your Great Name. May they hear of your works and miracles of your faithfulness. We choose again today to fix our eyes, not on all the troubles that surround, but on you alone.
“Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, for what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
We praise you God, for you go before us and cover us from behind. You walk beside us and make our footsteps firm. You are our Protector and Defense. We never have to fear that we’re alone, thank you for your powerful Presence surrounding us. We renew our focus on You this day, and thank you advance for all that you will do.
“…for the LORD will go before you, the God of Israel will be your rear guard.” Isaiah 52:12
We love you, we need you, we choose to look to you today, and every day…
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.
(This article also appeared here at iBelieve.com http://www.ibelieve.com/slideshows/9-prayers-of-hope-in-the-midst-of-the-storm.html?utm_content=bufferaf4b1&utm_medium=fbpage&utm_source=facebook&utm_campaign=ibupdate)
thank you for these. Great reminders of God’s loving presence. That He is with me and fighting for me in the midst of the storms I am facing. I can rest in His love and trust in His plan. He has gone before me and knows/orchestrates the outcome. His plans are good. He is refining me and His glory with shine through . God bless you ~
So true Tamara! Praying with you right now, blessings & peace to you, Debbie
Thank you God bless you for such encouraging words.
Thank you Lord that you are our Redeemer and will not waste our pain. Thank you that we can be assured all things, not some things but all, will work together for good, for those who love you and are called according to your purpose.
It is well with my soul, heavily Father as the word says
you are our Redeemer and will not waste our pain. Thank you that we can be assured all things, not some things but all, will work together for good, for those who love you and are called according to your purpose.
Your response is spot on for me too. I am my dad’s Care Giver. His health is failing. The pass three months have been very difficult. Leaning on Isaiah 41:10 and Romans 8:28 to get me through this tough as well as a scary time. I know that God is so good. He keeps reminding me that he is with me in surprising ways. He is my anchor who keeps me still in my storm.
I fully understand how you feel I am my husband’s caregiver it’s been a rough three years but I know he is helping me thru this storm I am in God Bless You 🙏
Hi lisa,Mary here just to encourage you to keep on trusting onto the Lord because all our needs comes from Him alone, I wish you and your dad well.
Jesus died on the cross for you and I and and rose again so we may have lif.
WOW. .Powerful scriptures & encouraging words…Just what I needed…God Is An AWESOME GOD. ..& A on time God…
Thank You
Humbly Thankful for the Servant God used…
He is awesome, so agree, & yes, always on time!
Thank you for your encouragement. You are a blessing Debbie! I have found comfort in your words and the way you share Gods Word. Would you please tell me how I can begin to reconcile (in my mind) a confusing childhood and two miserable sinful decades of adulthood even though I had become a believer and was baptized at 11? I floundered at every turn and though I tried seeing Jesus in my life, He always seemed just out of my grasp. No one came alongside me to mentor me. I was lost even though technically, I was found! Why those wasted hopeless years full of sin and shame when God could have provided direction? One person speaking sincerely into my soul could have set me on the right path. There were many times I prayed for His help yet heard nothing, felt nothing, and the problems kept mounting around me. I experienced terrible pain inflicted on me by parents and predators and sinful men and I made the worst choices, over and over again. I finally submitted to Jesus at 35 and rededicated myself to Him and things have gone so much better during the past 25 years though I never could understand where He had been during my earlier life. Now at 60 I am struggling with a deep depression and can’t seem to blindly trust that God allowed those wasted years for a reason. If I was His, where was He? How can I be a witness for Christ and have to admit that He may or may not show up . . . ? If He allowed those 25 awful years because I didn’t (know how to) submit to Him at 11, why didn’t He send someone to teach me?!
Dear Michelle, Don’t give up Hope. Because He is there, through all your trails & tribulations. Like footprints in the sand, when there was one set it was “I”who was carrying you. Like when I was 14 yrs old I asked over & over & over again ( looking for Purpose) . Now , 62. & after hitting “Rock Bottom” three times, I have found FREEDOM through the Word of Christ Jesus. Through Hope we find our Faith that endures in His Love for Us. Because God sent his only Son , this Christmas remember , that this the greatest Gift you can receive, & came to this world for our sake & died on the cross for our sins, so we may have eternal life with Him in Heaven .
So again Remember the Reason for the Season and have Joy & Peace in your Life through a relationship with Jesus Christ
I love how you have a prayer and then back it up with a Bible verse. Our prayers are that much more powerful when we speak His truth in them. Thank you for your devotion.
Thanks very encouraging to me it has given me hope once again to keep moving forward for with God all is well am much humbled be much blessed for good job with your family
Beautifully written <3
Such faithful , true prayers and scriptures. Helped me immensely today. I have put in my “scripture favorites” journal. Thank you I feel centered again. God Bless you!! Write a book!!
Great prayers…..you are such encouraging person. 😇
The verses calm me every time I think too much and gives me strength and courage to live each day.thank you
Thank You, Debbie for sharing these scriptures and prayers. I really needed some encouragement. I will treasure them forever. It is mysterious how God works!
Thank you so much .
The verses and the prayers we’re very helpful and encouraging
I plan to read them over my husband who is currently fighting cancer
May God bless you and keep you in His embrace
God bless you and your husband! 💚🙏💚
Thank you for the inspiring prayers and biblical quotations that remind me of God’s faithfulness and love. I am filled with hope and renewed in spirit when I listen to words that express His steadfastness.
Thank you do much for this, your prayers are beautifully written. I want so much to really learn how to pray God’s words back to Him in praise and thanksgiving.. Going through these make me know His presence is truly with me. Everyone faces trial, hardship, and heartbreak, but sometimes even knowing this, one can still feel alone. I’m so grateful to have found your blog today. I look forward to receiving daily devotions.
Have you written any devotionals in real book form? If not, please do!
Thanks again, Debbie❣
Living in Amazing Grace,
Patricia
Thank you for this — just found your article/blog!! Your words exactly how I describe my thoughts in this painful journey of watching my dad fighting his life against leukemia (that we found only about 6 mos ago). The cancer takes over his body slowly and painfully – and it’s breaks my heart to watch my mom along side my dad tries to encourage him and be strong for him. I don’t understand how he got cancer in his old age but God allows that. For. A. Reason. We will never know why. But we can only hold to God’s promises. And go through each day only by His strength and grace. Prayers is the only connections we have to our heavenly Father who knows my dad better than anyone. And our hearts, pains and fears. “…for the LORD will go before you, the God of Israel will be your rear guard.” Isaiah 52:12
Debbie, I love how you weaved Scripture all through your post! Your 9 prayers of hope are very comforting to me. Thank you for being obedient and taking the time post this for all of us! Blessings to you my Sister … Donna ❤
Thank you for giving me hope and God’s loving guidance today. It’s been hard to think on my own. lost my 38 yr daughter who has two young girls. I’m grieving alone as a widow. Feeling unloved by God who has taken so much. I sincerely know God loves me but my head and heart don’t match right now.
Aurea, I’m so very sorry for the huge losses you have walked through, praying for you to feel God’s Presence and huge peace surrounding you…love to you.
Help me my Jesus in this hard time I’m going threw bless my two girls and my home lord amen
Yesssss, I love this so much! “God never promised us this life would be easy, but He does promise this: He is bigger than any storm we face in this world.” This isn a major cornerstone for me 🙂 Bless you!
Thanks for sharing these prayers: There’s such power in praying the Word… something I’ve been trying to teach my kids lately too as they are getting older and dealing with their own storms. Thanks!
So agree Amy, there’s so much power for daily life found right in His word! And yes, with you in the parenting…whewwww…some days harder than others. The Lord bless you today! 🙂
Wow powerful Scriptures and timely Post!! Thank you so much!! This is just what I needed to read today!! ❤
Donna, thank you so much for reading & for being here! You’re a blessing!
I feel I’m going through the hills and valleys. I have had a few very challenging weeks at work and had to even pray peace for what seemed to be anxiety that led to tears. I’m so glad that my husband found this and forwarded it to me. I am reading it daily and have already an overwhelming peace through these prayers and scripture.
Thanks Debbie.
Hello Debbie thank you for this devotion because I am going to a very difficult time in my life right now. I know that God said in his word that in this world you will have trouble. I am going through a challenge right now I feel so all alone.
Thank you for your prayers. I may be getting fired this week. I have spent years struggling with low self image and worth. It has crippled me and robbed me of joy and peace. I feel as though I have no purpose. Please lift me up in your prayers
You are a child of God. He loves you so much!! Reading His words daily and getting these messages helps strengthen me. I pray you will know how important you are. You were created on purpose for a purpose. God bless you!!
Thank you for this.
I’m too am going through a rough patch in my life.
I know God is faithful.
I have printed this article out and will be re-reading and praying these prayers throughout the day.
Your article is an answer to my prayer.
I too was in need of your prayers the past week, and included some of it in my bible journaling/coloring. I can honestly say that your prayers and my journaling helped me to stay calm and look to God instead of wallowing in the issues with my oldest daughter and her husband. I am printing this out and saving it in my digital notes as well. Thank you!
I am struggling with grief depression and anxiety. My mother passed in may of this year and my son just went to Germany and his family will follow in a couple of weeks. He is my only child. I am feeling alone, and scared. These verses are good thank you
hi my names are david allan and am writing kenya kitale just to let you know how much you are keeping me upliftd by your resources thanks alot even for prayers
THIS CONFIRMED WHAT MY HEAVENLY FATHER SPOKE TO ME YESTERDAY. THANK YOU
As your daughter I claim every word and the victory that is mine because of your sacrifice and promises Lord Jesus.
Thank you Father, I love you.
Debbie I got an email bout marriage and I like that you had a Bible verse with every situation.
My God! God is so amazing in His own ways,just as I was going through avery deadly and stormy form of daily attacks from the devil,i can help but that God for using you,i strongly believe this get from the Lord 100%. It is all amazingly life changing perspective,more than one week back I was asking the Father to show me the reason for the sudden and endless attacks on me,to mention but a few, sudden and mysterious break down of my supposed marriage that was coming shortly in November,just few day after visiting the parents of my supposedly wife to be,the devil rose in arms against my marriage that the spouse unbelievably chucked me out of the blue!!started getting endless spiritual attacks at the night,i survived numerous accidents,i survived scorpion attack in my house,evil spiritual entities intensified night attacks on me, the devil started direct confrontations against me, he send a wave of fear upon me. But I have not be brought down, God answered my prayer through scripture in (Revelation 12:11,12,17) The Father comforted me that the same suffering is experienced by other brothers and sisters in the world. Now here I have come upon your scriptural prayers!!God is talking to me through this prayers,i have been made well, I strongly believe that God is strongly using you my sister in Christ Jesus. Be blessed to the end of time.
Pastor Nsereko David.
Amen. Those words and prayer sent a renewal spirituality through me. My struggle and storm has been getting the best of me but these words were just what I needed in my life today. Lord please continue to help me and see me through all that I am going through. THIS TO SHALL PASS😇🙏🙌
I need God’s strength, peace and healing. I am a Christian and I have suffered from depression, and anxiety now for years. It is getting worse and I feel like it is killing me. I have searched for help everywhere with no success. My trust and hope have grown very weak. I am alone and my extended family do not offer any support because they don’t know what to do. I never dreamed that I would be living my worst nightmare.
Pam, I’m so sorry for your struggle and have been in similar shoes. I’m glad you found Debbie’s blog and hope you found peace here. Hang on! God is in this somehow, even when we can’t make sense of it. Have you searched for a doctor to help you with your depression? I am praying relief is on its way to you soon.
Thank you so much for this. I’m just starting to explore your blog because of your post on “Choosing joy and gratefulness in the gift of each new day.” This one caught my eye as well as there have been so many storms in my life, and most recently a car accident with broken nose and facial bones and severed upper lip. I love the Lord more than ever, and His precious Word, and I long to fully trust in God’s sovereign will over my life, but I often struggle with feeling overwhelmed by all the storms. His Word is so alive, powerful and precious to me, so I really appreciate these prayers. Thanks, and God bless you!
Hi Debbie, i really needed all the prayers. Thank you for your effort.
Thank you
Debbie, God lead me to you in the middle of the night as I awoke and sought His peace and comfort. My family seeks you but in a false manner.
I am disabled by God’s will for my life as it keeps me ever close as I seek Him daily. I pray for my family as they question my loyalty to God and my
desire to serve Him in such a close knit manner. He is my purpose in living and He is on my mind night and day. He has given me the awesome duty to serve Him by displaying his beauty. My family accuses me of thinking that I am “better” than they as a Christian. I praise God for my “thorn in my side” as it keeps me ever so close to His bleeding side. At times I question God’s ways but I still trust, honor and obey Him. I do not let the fall of man detour me from spreading God’s love for us. Thank you for allowing me to share my love for God on your sight. Much Love to you my sister-in Christ.
So many times we have pain so deep that we could literally cry and no sound comes out, but when it comes to praying we just don’t know what to say. I thank you for those prayers and I thank the Holy Spirit that when I can’t pray, when all that comes out of me as a moan the Holy Spirit goes before me and brings my pain up to Jesus …
Thank you so much for sharing these all, THE WORD OF GOD is always the reminder to all of us and the power of prayer through His words back to Him….I’m in trials and been through a lot of storms but very thankful to GOD that I’m in His hands and fully cared… He never leave me alone in all that storms…love Him soooo much! Thanks a lot!
Trying to cling to the Bible verse in John 16:33. God isn’t intimidated by the storms and partnering with him, is the only way for a breakthrough. These prayers are wonderful!
Thank you for the encouraging words. I am struggling through very difficult times right now and crying out to God in prayer to move me from the situation I am in to a peaceful, healthy situation but it seems like He has forgotten me and doesnt hear my prayers. I cling to the hope and promise of his love and strength. I cling to him for peace knowing he is sovereign as his word says. He is my only hope in this world and I pray today he will lift me up out of this mirey clay. Thank you and God Bless you and your family.
Jodi
If He’s so awesome and on time, then why do I feel so miserable and alone?! I caught my landlord in a lie (August 2018) and for two months he harassed me (threatened me with eviction) and then after an 8 month hiatus he was back! This time we ended up in court and guess what, after all my desperate prayers, the judge devoured the lies the landlord and his two toadies spewed (under oath they lied and lied and lied). I now must be out of my trailer by Friday (18 July)…AND I HAVE NO WHERE TO GO! Oh, yes there is an 83 year old man who will take me in provided I leave my cats (4) behind to perish! He makes jokes about me coming to his bed (uck!) at night! He’s been married 5 times (4 legal/1 common law) and he thinks he is oh, so attractive and sexy! I don’t have money for deposits…my Social Security doesn’t kick in until the 26 of July ($800). I don’t have any way to move what few possessions I do have! I don’t have a car, only a bicycle! So go ahead and tell me that God is with me! That God knows my pain! Is it somehow pleasing to God that I am crying and in pain? Does it please him that I’m contemplating suicide? So where is this God?! This loving Father I’m supposed to believe in! What kind of father ignores his daughter’s repeated cries for help? I’m just at my wit’s end! I don’t know how I’m going to survive this nightmare!
It was no mistake that I found your post today! I thank God for his constant reminders that He is Able and I only have to keep my eyes on Him. His Word keeps me longing for His Peach and I accept his Grace. So very true that all things work together for our good. Blessings and continued success as you share His gifts that He has showered on you.
I came across these prayers recently and what a source of encouragement they have been to me. I have a daughter working in China and I worry about her constantly. I’ve even sent these to her via watsapp. Thank you.
I just lost my husband in August of this year and trying with Gods help to deal with the grief and pain. I pray daily for God to show me the path he wants me to take now. These prayers were very meaningful to me.
It’s Christmas and this life sucks I wish i was never born, If there is a God than God can be cruel to some people like one of the ugly ones with no hope for a normal life. My only wish is I wish I was never born.
Rich, I am so sorry you felt like that at Christmas. I too felt like that. One day before Christmas, I received a phone call from the server that my husband ( separated 3 years this March) wanted to serve me with divorce papers. This past Christmas he took our daughter on a vacation to see his parents without consulting me, just off they went. I was alone at Christmas for the first time in my entire life. It was horrible. No friends called as I’m sure none want to hear my marriage woes any longer. They just don’t call anymore, mind you none are Christians, so I get it. But I fell on my knees once again and cried as I have every single day, for 3 years, and got into God’s word. I had Him reveal some things I was holding my husband accountable to me for, like apologizing for his name calling in front of our daughter. God also revealed that this made me elevate myself above my husband. That behavior has to be dealt with between God and my husband. I released my husband from that expectation. So getting into God’s word is cleansing, draws us close to God, reveals His love for us, strengthens us, and keeps us focused on God. Having peotaround at Christmas, I would never be able to have had that time with God. I am still alone, have been now served with papers and have one day to respond with my Statement of Defense. I don’t believe in divorce in our circumstances, made a vow til death parts us and am torn inside. How do I do this?? I am drawing close to God again, as I sit all alone, and trusting that He sees the end from the beginning, a better ending for me. You too have a better ending than the beginning. Trust God with the entire picture, not just the one pixel that is your life. The picture is so beautiful from his view, the beauty that arose from the ashes of our lives. God bless you Rich and believe you are loved❣️
Thanks for sharing this article to us and it meant a lot to us during this time where we can face storm with the assurances that HE will be with us in the midst of this storm. May God continue to bless your ministry.