A Prayer for Courage When Stepping into the Unknown

Jennifer Waddle

iBelieve Contributor
Updated Oct 20, 2021
A Prayer for Courage When Stepping into the Unknown

These main areas of life—and the different challenges they bring—are often the cause of fear and anxiety when stepping into the unknown. We don’t know if or when we will be healed from our health issues. We aren’t sure if the financial blessing will come. We aren’t certain our relationships will last. And we don’t know how long it will take for a spiritual breakthrough.

What we do know is this: God is faithful all of the time.

Author Cindy Woodsmall once wrote, “I don't think God puts us on this earth so we can be afraid of stepping into the unknown. Isn't tomorrow an unknown, even if we all stay right here where tradition is kept and every piece of ground is familiar?”

From her perspective, today is all we have. Tomorrow is unknown for everyone. And while her words ring true, many of us are fearful of the future as we await a health diagnosis, a financial blessing, a relationship outcome, or a spiritual breakthrough.

These main areas of life—and the different challenges they bring—are often the cause of fear and anxiety when stepping into the unknown. We don’t know if or when we will be healed from our health issues. We aren’t sure if the financial blessing will come. We aren’t certain our relationships will last. And we don’t know how long it will take for a spiritual breakthrough.

What we do know is this: God is faithful all of the time. Yesterday, today, and tomorrow, He is unchanging in all His ways. He promises to lead us in the way we should go and give us wisdom when we ask. Through every unknown, we can turn to Lord for courage and strength. 

If you’re in need of courage to step into the unknown, here is a prayer covering four main areas: health, finances, relationships, and spiritual breakthrough. 

Heavenly Father,

We come to You today and ask for courage. As we face many unknowns, we need Your strength and guidance more than anything. Above the wisdom of the world, we need Your wisdom. Thank You for being faithful to impart wisdom to us when we ask in faith and do not doubt. Help us trust in Your ways, knowing You have all the answers for faith and life. As we step into uncertain areas of our health, our finances, our relationships, and our faith, we ask for Your provision, clarity, and peace. 

Over every health issue, diagnosis, treatment, and procedure, we pray for courage to face whatever is before us. We ask for all doctors, nurses, medical professionals, and health experts to be led by Your Spirit, offering accurate diagnoses and sound medical advice. Please remove the fear of being sick or going through difficult treatments. Assure us of Your love and presence at all times. We commit our bodies to You, Lord, asking for healing in the mighty name of Jesus. Help us put our trust in You and give us endurance to go through the medical trial with courage and strength. We know You are the God of all comfort and You are the God who heals. Thank You for being with us every step of the way.

In the precious name of Jesus, amen.

Concerning our finances, we pray for peace and provision through every trial. Help us perceive our lack of money as a test of faith, looking to You—Jehovah Jireh—as our provider. Give us wisdom in the areas of our budget where we have been irresponsible. Show us the ways in which we have mismanaged the resources You’ve given us. We confess we haven’t always been good stewards of Your blessings and we ask forgiveness now. Please bestow Your favor on us and help us have enough money to pay our bills, feed our families, and give back to You. Replace our fear with courage and generosity, reminding us there are others who are also in need of financial blessing. We commit our finances fully to You, thanking You for continued guidance and provision.

All of this we pray in the mighty name of Jesus, amen.

In all our relationships, Lord, we ask for the courage to do the right thing in every situation. Please give us words to speak at just the right time and in just the right way. Show us when to speak and when to be silent. If there is any unforgiveness, please press that on our hearts and help us forgive just as You have forgiven us. When needed, lead us to strong Biblical counselors who can help us navigate the issues in our relationships. Prevent the enemy from gaining a foothold in this area so that we can move forward according to Your will. As parents, please give us wisdom in raising children to love You and follow Your commands. As children, help us to honor our mothers and fathers so that it will go well with us as the Scriptures promise. As spouses, remind us to submit to one another as is fitting and honorable to You. As friends, help us be loving and supportive in the best way possible. And as co-workers, give us kindness and patience along with discernment and boldness when needed. We trust You with all of our relationships, thanking You for giving us companions for this life. Most of all, deepen our relationship with You first and foremost.

In Jesus’ holy name, amen.

For spiritual breakthrough, we ask, Lord, that we will not try to make it happen in our own power but by Your Spirit. We desperately need You to fill us to the full with Your attributes of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness, and self-control. Without these things, we will not be fruitful nor prosper. Thank You ahead of time for building our faith bit-by-bit. Lead us to Your Word each day, building precept upon precept. Open our eyes, ears, and hearts to receive Your living Word, allowing it to be active and life-changing. As we fellowship with You, in Spirit and in truth, help our roots to go deep as Psalm chapter one says, “He is like a tree planted by streams of water whose leaf does not wither and whatever he does prospers.” We want to be like that tree, Lord, with roots so deep we will not falter. Please send spiritual breakthrough and release us from all worldly strongholds. Give us hearts of worship, that we will praise You at all times.

In the precious name of Your Son, Jesus, amen.

More resources as you step into the unknown:
The Unknown
Pushing Past The Fear of the Unknown
Praying in the Midst of the Unknown

Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Orla

Jennifer Waddle authorJennifer Waddle is the author of several books, including Prayer WORRIER: Turning Every Worry into Powerful Prayerand is a regular contributor for LifeWay, Crosswalk, Abide, and Christians Care International. Jennifer’s online ministry is EncouragementMama.com where you can find her books and sign up for her weekly post, Discouragement Doesnt Win. She resides with her family near the foothills of the Rocky Mountains—her favorite place on earth.