Why do we struggle so much to pray even when we know it's what we should do? If you sometimes need encouragement in your faith, that's ok, even expected. These 10 prayers drawn from Scripture will help to motivate your prayer life and inspire your faith.
When Jesus Himself gives us an example to follow, we should sit up and take note. In Matthew 6 and Luke 11, He speaks to His disciples instructing, “Pray in this way,” giving a blueprint we call The Lord’s Prayer that we may follow. In Matthew 26, Jesus shows us His prayer in action. He pleads with the Father, “Let this cup pass from me,” yet He ultimately yields and honors His Father, “Not as I will, but as you will.” All too often I fall into the same category as His disciples who fell asleep in the Garden of Gethsemane on that night before Jesus was taken into captivity. My spirit is willing, but my flesh is so weak (Matthew 26:41).
Why do we sometimes struggle to find the motivation to pray daily when we know it’s right?
Just as Paul wrote letter after letter encouraging the church, we still need encouragement today. Hebrews 10:24 reminds us to “stir one another up in love and good works.”
Here are 10 motivational prayers drawn from Scripture that we can begin praying over our everyday lives—praying that God’s word will not return to Him empty, but that it will accomplish His purpose (Isaiah 55:11). It can stir up our hearts when we need it and lead us to follow the example of Christ.
1. A Motivational Prayer for Starting a New Day
Lord, I praise you for your steadfast love and that your mercies are new every morning. Thank you that you hear my voice as I cry out to you for strength and wisdom to get through my day. Be with me today and help me to feel your presence and walk out your will. Help me to glorify you in all that I do and say. Your mercies never end, Lord. Great is your faithfulness!
Psalm 5:3, Lamentations 3:22-33
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2. A Motivational Prayer for Increasing my Faith
Sometimes I struggle to have the faith I need to depend on you, God. Help me overcome my unbelief. Time after time you have shown your faithfulness. Help me to walk by faith and not by sight. Be with me as I yield the shield of faith to extinguish the darts of the evil one. Help me to have faith and not doubt.
Luke 17:5, 2 Corinthians 5:7, Ephesians 6:16, Matthew 21:21
3. A Motivational Prayer for My Spouse
Thank you for my spouse, Lord. Bless them throughout the day. Help us to love one another patiently, and be kind to one another, not arrogant or rude. Give us patience with each other and help us to strive to put each other’s needs before our own. We desire to put You first in our marriage so it will be like the cord of three strands that is not easily broken. When we experience conflict, may it only serve to unify us and bring us closer together. Help us to grow daily in our love and respect for one another that we may be a reflection of Christ and His Bride, the Church.
Ephesians 5:22-33, 1 Corinthians 13
4. A Motivational Prayer for My Children
Be with my children today, and watch over them. The world feels like a scary place sometimes. Guide them and protect them in all they do and say. I pray that as they grow physically, they will continually grow in wisdom and favor with God and man, just as Jesus did. May their desire to love and serve you always increase. As their parent, Lord, I need your help to be an example to them. Help me to diligently teach them your Word that they may know it and obey, and to discipline them in love and understanding rather than in anger. Let them be receptive to reproof that their hearts would always be soft to your leading. Keep them close to You.
5. A Motivational Prayer for My Work
As I go about my work today, I pray that I would glorify you in whatever I do. Help me to perform my best with a positive attitude and to work wholeheartedly like I am working for the Lord. May your favor rest on me and establish the work of my hands. Give me strength, energy, and wisdom to know how to carry out my work well and help me to be a light to those who are around me each day. When I don’t always know which way to go or what decision to make, lead me in the path of righteousness. Thank you for the work that You have provided for me.
Colossians 3:23-24, 1 Corinthians 10:31, Psalm 90:17
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6. A Motivational Prayer for Commitment to Study His Word
I love you Lord, and I seek to know you with my whole heart. Thank you for giving us your Word that we can study and grow daily; help me to love it more every day and treat it like a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. Even when it feels hard to accept, I want you to show me truth, discipline me, and correct me, so that I may be equipped for every good work. Search me and know my heart and my thoughts and see if there are any wicked ways in me that I need to change. Show me in your Word how to learn to think as you think and love as you love. Renew my mind, giving me the mind of Christ so that I might know what is your good, pleasing, and perfect will.
Psalm 119, 1 Timothy 3:16-17, Psalm 139:23-24, Romans 12:1-2
7. A Motivational Prayer for Loving Others
Father, I am surrounded every day by others who do not know you. Help me to be a shining example of your love to them, just as you have loved me. I desire to be filled with your love more every day so that it fills me up and pours out of me to others, even those who aren’t always easy for me to love. Whether I am with people I know well or people I encounter only briefly, give me opportunities to tell them about the love you showed by sending your Son to die that we might live through Him. Let your words fill my lips with your story, for you are Love.
8. A Motivational Prayer for Peace
Today I need your help, Lord, not to feel anxious. I cannot take care of my concerns on my own. Instead of worrying, I hand over my cares to You because I know you care for me. Thank you that you are the God who sees me and stays with me no matter what I am going through. Forgive me when I hold onto my sorrow and lack the faith to believe that you will never leave me or abandon me. I give you praise that you are sovereign, and I pray that you would take care of our needs today. Thank you for peace that passes understanding, the peace that comes only from knowing that you are an all-powerful, loving God, and you are good. I put my trust in you.
Philippians 4:6-7, 1 Peter 5:6-7, Psalm 56:3
9. A Motivational Prayer for Health
Jehovah Rapha, you are the God who heals. I praise you for your healing power and pray for health and strength today. Your Word is life and healing to my bones. You bore my sickness and pain and brought healing to the world through your suffering. Even if I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will not fear because you are with me, and you are comforting me. Please give me peace and help me focus my mind on you. Thank you that in my weakness I am made strong through you.
Proverbs 4:20-22, Psalm 30:2, Psalm 23, Isaiah 26:3 2 Corinthians 12:9-11
10. A Motivational Prayer for Walking in Obedience
Father, I trust You with all my heart. As I walk through my day trying to make decisions and follow your will, help me not to lean on my understanding but to acknowledge you in all my ways. Help me to know your Word and hide it in my heart so that I will not sin against you. Thank you that you are directing my paths and that you are present with me wherever I go. I know that I will not face any temptation without you and your strength to resist it since you will never leave me or forsake me. Show me the path to flee temptation and honor your desires.
Proverbs 3:5-6, Psalm 119:105, 1 Corinthians 10:13
Scripture is full of reminders that prayer should be an integral part of a believer’s life. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 implores us to, “Pray without ceasing.” James 5:16 also emphasizes that we are to “Pray one for another, that ye may be healed” and that “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much” (ESV). Motivational prayers can help get our prayer lives back on track. By studying His word and hiding it in our hearts, we allow Him to give us everything we need to face challenges that arise in our lives, and ultimately we learn how to have an ongoing, flourishing relationship with Christ Himself. “Prayerless lives are powerless lives, and prayerful lives are powerful lives; but, believe it or not, the ultimate goal God has for us is not power but personal intimacy with Him” (Beth Moore, Praying God’s Word).
This article is part of our prayer resource meant to inspire and encourage your prayer life when you face uncertain times. Remember, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us, and God knows your heart even if you can't find the words to pray.
Prayers for Healing That Bring Daily Strength and Comfort
Prayers for Strength to Use in Difficult Times
Can We Really Pray Without Ceasing?
Powerful Morning Prayers to Begin Your Day
Types of Prayers We See in the Bible
What Is the Prayer of Jabez in the Bible?
How to Pray for Your Daily Bread
Prayers for Anxiousness
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