Don’t give up on your miracle: How to pray when you’re tired (2024)

There is nothing like physical pain to drive you to your knees in prayer. For 20 years, I was plagued by crippling back pain and sciatica. Time after time, I cried out to God for His healing power on my body, but nothing improved. Even as a prayer warrior, I grew weary in going to God about the same thing day in and day out.

One of the hardest challenges of the Christian walk is waiting for God to answer our prayers when we urgently need Him to intervene in a circ*mstance that is breaking our heart, testing our faith, and robbing us of peace and joy. I have been on my knees many times with my Bible in hand, tearfully reminding God of His promises when my husband and I were in a financial crisis, a friend was stricken with a life-threatening disease, or one of my children was in trouble.

Yet those who wait for the LORD will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary.—Isaiah 40:31 (NASB)

And for years, many of my prayers have been centered on my own need for a miracle. In 2017, after 20 years of pain, I had back surgery to un-pinch my spinal cord, replace deteriorated discs, and straighten my back. The surgery was the answer to my prayers in many ways. I am grateful every day that I can now walk without leg pain and do many of the things I love, like working in my garden, standing long enough to bake cookies with my granddaughter, and traveling to speak for World Vision. However, the trauma to the nerves in my back is taking much longer to heal, and I continue to cry out to God.

Of course, compared to the suffering in many parts of this broken world, my pain is nothing. My heart is often broken by stories about the ongoing hunger crisis in East Africa, the Syrian refugee crisis, and the hatred and violence that seems to be affecting so many. These are problems that only God can solve by changing people’s hearts and minds. But He calls us to participate by giving what we can to those in need and praying without ceasing, because prayer is our greatest weapon against the powers and principalities of this world — that Paul talks about in Ephesians 6:12 — which are at the root of today’s suffering.

Don’t give up on your miracle: How to pray when you’re tired (1)

Like the healing of my back and other situations my family has faced, some prayers take time to fully materialize. As Psalm 40 says, sometimes we have to wait for God’s timing, and it is not unusual to experience what I call “intercession fatigue” when we are faithful to pray, but nothing seems to be happening. One of the greatest challenges we face as Christians is continuing to believe for a miracle when all indications are “it just ain’t happening.”

So, if you tire as you continue crying out to the Lord, here are a few suggestions that have helped me continue to expect my miracle even when all God seems to be saying is “wait.”

Don’t give up on your miracle: How to pray when you’re tired (2024)

FAQs

Don’t give up on your miracle: How to pray when you’re tired? ›

Lord, my refuge, you renew my strength, and I can find rest under the shadow of your wings. Grant me grace for the rest of my day, and give me the gift of deep sleep tonight. Tomorrow, help me wake up in your new mercies, and to focus on serving you and others with the strength you give me for tomorrow.

What to pray when you are tired of everything? ›

Lord, my refuge, you renew my strength, and I can find rest under the shadow of your wings. Grant me grace for the rest of my day, and give me the gift of deep sleep tonight. Tomorrow, help me wake up in your new mercies, and to focus on serving you and others with the strength you give me for tomorrow.

What is a powerful prayer for a miracle to happen? ›

Prayer for an Instant Miracle

Dear Lord, I come before you today with a heavy heart, seeking Your guidance and Your mercy. I know that You are a God of miracles, and I pray that You would work an instant miracle in my life. I know that nothing is impossible for You, and I trust in Your power and Your love.

What is the prayer to never give up? ›

Lord, You know the burdens I'm carrying. Sometimes I'm tempted to stop praying because I don't see the answer I want, but today I choose to believe You love me and You are listening. So I will pray and pray and never give up. Thank You for never leaving me.

What is the ultimate miracle prayer? ›

Lord Jesus, I come before you, just as I am, I am sorry for my sins, I repent of my sins, please forgive me. In your Name, I forgive all others for what they have done against me. I renounce Satan, the evil spirits and all their works. I give you my entire self, Lord Jesus, now and forever.

How to pray even when tired? ›

Here are some simple ways to pray when you're tired.
  1. Pray as you CAN, not as you CAN'T. Often we don't make time to pray when we're tired because we know we just don't have the energy to pray for 20 – 30 minutes. ...
  2. Pray what IS in you, not what OUGHT to be in you. ...
  3. Pray ONE SENTENCE. ...
  4. Pray LITURGY. ...
  5. Sit in SILENCE.
Jun 12, 2020

How do I ask God for immediate help? ›

I pray to you as I am desperate for help. I need to know that you care, that you love me, be my refuge from pain, replacing my distress with peace, and be my strength when I feel weak and find it hard to carry on.

What is the most powerful prayer that never fails? ›

In the Lord's prayer in Matthew 6, this is encouraged in another way: “Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth [in the same way] as it is [being done right now] in heaven.” God delights to answer this prayer, and the results are stunning. It is the prayer that never fails.

How to pray for an impossible situation? ›

You know the situation I am facing, the impossible circ*mstances with which I am dealing, that of… Lord, I need help that only You can provide. I am asking You to bring Answers, bring Freedom, bring Provision, bring Hope, bring something Good, bring Testimonies, bring People as a result of my crying out to You.

What is the strongest prayer? ›

I would say that overall the strongest prayer is the one Jesus taught us, the Our Father. If you are looking for protection from evil, then there is the prayer to St. Michael: “St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle, be our protection from the wickedness and snares of the devil.

What should you never pray for? ›

For Anything That Goes Against God's Will.

It has been said that nothing lies beyond the reach of prayer except that which lies outside the will of God. God's will is in God's Word. Therefore, we should not pray for that which goes against the will and Word of God.

What blocks my prayers? ›

Two of the greatest hindrances to the Christian's prayer life are doubt and unbelief. Doubt is the thief of God's greater blessings. It keeps us in a state of separation from Him. Some people doubt there is a God or doubt He will perform His promises in response to their prayers.

How to pray without giving up? ›

  1. Take time to remember how much God loves you and those you are praying for. ...
  2. Remember all the ways God has been faithful in the past. ...
  3. Pray the Word. ...
  4. Be comfortable not knowing what to pray. ...
  5. Invite others to pray with you. ...
  6. Find peace in surrendering to God's will. ...
  7. Worship God.
Aug 9, 2024

What is the best way to pray for a miracle? ›

Here are four things to do when you pray for a miracle:
  • Don't worry, ask. All answers to prayer begin with prayer. To pray is to petition or to ask God for what you need. ...
  • Believe. An error has occurred. ...
  • Give Thanks. After you have asked and as you are believing, you must make thanksgiving a part of your prayer. ...
  • Wait.

What is the 3 o'clock miracle prayer? ›

You expired, Jesus, but the source of life gushed forth for souls and the ocean of mercy opened up for the whole world. O Fountain of Life, unfathomable Divine Mercy, cover the whole world and empty yourself out upon us.

Can I pray sitting down if I'm tired? ›

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said to `Imran ibn Husayn: “Pray standing; if you cannot, then sitting; and if you cannot, then lying on your side.”

What if you are tired of everything? ›

2. Take breaks and rest more often. A single period of break and rest is not enough to recover our energy if we feel stressed and tired for a prolonged time. It's better to regularly incorporate rest periods between daily tasks so we don't experience burnout.

How do you deal with being tired of life? ›

Once you recognize the signs of emotional exhaustion, try the following:
  1. Eliminate the stressor. While not always possible, the best way to treat stress is to eliminate the stressor. ...
  2. Eat healthy. ...
  3. Exercise. ...
  4. Limit alcohol. ...
  5. Get enough sleep. ...
  6. Practice mindfulness. ...
  7. Connect with a trusted friend. ...
  8. Take a break.

What is a powerful prayer for everything? ›

Dear God, everywhere I walk, let it be on your path. Everything I see, let it be through your eyes. Everything I do, let it be your will. For every hardship I face, let me place it in your hands.

What to do when you are spiritually exhausted? ›

Use this time for meditation and reflection, spend a short time in prayer, then just relax and let your mind wander without restriction. If you're in your car, turn off your radio and cell phone and find a safe place to just sit and do nothing.

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