A Prayer for When Your Efforts Are Feeling Wasted

I wrote this prayer before the COVID–19 crisis, but its sentiment is perhaps even more applicable today. I pray this meets you where you need it most, whether it's concerning a job, struggle at home, or personal issue. 

Dear Heavenly Father,

I come before You in weariness. I have been pressing forward with the best of intentions only to come up dry. I know that You are a God of abundance. I call upon that promise in prayer through the power of the Holy Spirit.

It’s difficult to be doing the right thing and see the wrong things happening. It’s exhausting to work so hard and experience little progress. It’s deflating to remain hopeful when there are continually reasons to doubt.

I understand what the Bible means when it encourages believers to fight the good fight of faith (1 Timothy 6:12). Sometimes it feels like faith requires that kind of persistence. Encourage me through your word.

I remember the psalmist who had many enemies and felt mercilessly pushed to his limits. As he recorded his anger and laments, he also praised Your deliverance repeatedly. He observed how You fought for him and drew him close in relationship (Psalm 91). I call upon that same support now.

I remember Joseph in the Book of Genesis whose life was riddled with setbacks and delays. He was forcibly separated from his family and wrongfully imprisoned for years. You used those experiences to uniquely catapult him into a high position, however. Help me to remain faithful and believe that all things will work for my good too (Romans 8:28).

Continue in prayer with me. 

Plus, you'll find 11 affirmations to build your faith!

P.S. Did you catch Hope Rising this weekend? My family watched this Christian concert together. We laughed. We cried. We felt the arms of Jesus. THIS is resurrection power at work. Watch a concert replay on demand on Facebook! Let God inspire you with his HOPE.