Life often has a way of draining us dry. Sometimes we don’t even see it coming. But over time, busy schedules, responsibilities, and other demands can start to overwhelm us. It’s hard to keep everything flowing smoothly in a broken world. Yet God never intended for us to try to carry it on our own or stay so busy we don’t have time for what’s most important.
For many of us, activity and busyness come naturally. We’re on the go, in a hurry; it’s what we’re all about. We are rewarded for how much we can accomplish in short amounts of time. We live in a culture that praises movement and places value on the busy.
There’s nothing wrong with being active, except this: we often never stop. And it’s that—the slowing down—that can be the most difficult challenge. Yet it’s so necessary.
If you find yourself facing constant pressure, or racing through hurried, weary days, know that you’re not alone. Not ever. God knows our way and He promises to be with us. Take the steps to come to Him first in your day, opening His word and praying about all that concerns you. He can restore peace and strength, refreshing our lives again with His powerful Spirit.
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1. For When You Feel Weary and Drained
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)
Maybe the struggles you’re facing have seemed far too difficult for a long time now. Maybe you feel stuck and tired. If it’s hard to see what God is doing and how He could ever use a situation for good in your life, be assured that He is able. He is near you in every difficult season. And right in the heat of hard times, He’s hiding you under the shadow of His wings. You may not even be fully aware, but He is watching over you constantly.
He reminds us in His word, that nothing is too difficult for Him. His power is greater than whatever we face, and He will lift us out of that place we feel stuck. Because He has new places for us to walk. He’s giving us fresh hope, new purpose, and renewed strength today. We can stop looking back because we’re not going that way. May God help us to listen for His voice behind us saying, “This is the road; walk in it.”
Dear God,
Thank you that your yoke is easy, and your burden is light. Thank you for promising to give all of us who feel worried, rushed, and pressured rest and peace for our souls if we'll just come before you. Thank you Lord, for you already know all that concerns us, and you care. We’re so grateful for your reminder that we don't have to carry it all on our own. Forgive us for the times we’ve tried to fix things in our own power, or not taken the time to rest, or not come to you first with our needs and burdens. Thank you for seasons of refreshing that come from your Spirit, filling us with joy, covering us as a shield, and leading us forward with hope. Help us to slow down, fix our eyes on you, and remember where our true peace and strength are found.
In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Design Credit: Rachel Dawson
2. For When You Feel Overwhelmed
“From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I.” (Psalm 61:2)
Maybe your recent days have been full. Maybe everything hasn't gone as planned.
We can be assured that He's never lost control, and anything is possible with Him. Since we're often so prone to hurry and worry, just learning to be still can be difficult. We have to make a choice, not to allow the pressures of the day to get in the way of just spending time in His Presence.
Truly, it’s the most important time in our day— getting still, and reflecting on who He is and who we are in Him. He's so much bigger than any giant or obstacle we are facing. And He can accomplish in a moment what it might take us years to work through. Whatever concerns us today, we can entrust it to our powerful God.
Dear God,
We desperately want to give all these anxious thoughts over to you, but many times we don’t even know how to fully let go. Please help us release our cares to you. We’ve been carrying things you never asked us to carry; they’ve weighed us down and made us afraid. But you Lord, are the burden lifter, the One who knows our way. Thank you for your great compassion for your children. We are lost and overwhelmed without you. Thank you for your powerful promise of rest for those who choose to come to you. No matter the struggles we’re facing today, we believe in your faithfulness to see us through.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
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3. For When You Need His Peace Again
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7)
There’s so much in this life to worry about. Even when we know the truth and believe that God is in control, it can still be a daily battle in our hearts and minds. If you’re struggling today, remember to “look up” and focus on Him rather than the situation. He promises to renew us with His peace and strength. Thank Him in advance for all that He is doing, even when you can’t see the big picture.
Dear God,
Thank you that you are our good Shepherd and we can trust you with our lives, even in the hard times when everything around us feels uncertain. Thank you for your leadership and sovereignty. Thank you for your guidance and care in all our days. Thank you for your promises to restore our souls, give us peace, and bring hope in all our tomorrows. Thank you for your protection and strength that surrounds us, even when we’re unaware. Thank you that we never have to fear, for you are with us. Thank you for your goodness and love that follow after us, and for your great faithfulness to see us through every difficult season. We give you praise, for you are trustworthy and true; our refuge and hope. In you alone, we find rest and peace and the assurance that we will dwell with you forever.
In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Design Credit: Rachel Dawson
4. For When You Feel Rushed
"Be still and know that I am God..." (Psalm 46:10)
It’s hard not to rush things—decisions, people, and even God. Maybe we feel like He’s moving too slowly. So often we take the scenario back into our own hands, trying to speed up the process and bypass the wait.
But we can be assured that God is always at work and He cares, even when we can’t see how His timing makes sense. He’s intimately acquainted with our ways. He’s preparing new paths that will intersect with others we need to know. He’s opening and closing doors. He’s bigger than this journey and never bound by time. His plans are unfolding at just the right moment.
Dear God,
We confess our need for you again, to help us get out of this cycle of busy. Give us the strength we need to say no to the temptation of trying to do it all. Help us to use your wisdom in every decision, allowing you to work out the details, instead of trying to do things all on our own. Forgive us, Lord, for not trusting you enough, for truly, that’s the root of our constant striving. Help us to remember that all things are possible with you, and you are able to do in just a moment, what would take us years to work out on our own. Thank you that you are powerful in our weakness, and you are faithful, even when we struggle. We love you and we ask for your Spirit to refresh us today.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Design Credit: Rachel Dawson
5. For When Life Feels Chaotic
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)
Sometimes, life feels like it’s spinning out of control. We can’t even keep up anymore. Many times, it’s not one big thing, but a lot of little things that have worn us down. And we’re tired of struggling.
The truth is, God never asks us to do it all on our own. He just asks us to trust Him and to recognize His leadership and sovereignty in our lives. It’s a choice to keep trusting. Trusting Him bases our security on Him alone, not on our circumstances or other people. He knows what’s around the bend. No matter what our current situation may be, we can be confident that God’s presence will go before us, guiding and guarding our steps. May He fill us with His peace again, helping us to let go of all that we’re still carrying.
Dear God,
We’re tired of wrestling; we’re weary in the struggle of it all. We don’t understand what you’re doing right now, we can’t fully wrap our minds around your ways. But our hearts cry out to you for help and peace in this time of need. Thank you, Lord God, that you are already in all of our tomorrows. You know where we’ve been and you’re faithfully leading us forward in the goodness you still have in store. When we’re burdened down in the rush of daily life, help us to live with wisdom and grace. Help us to know when to say “no,” and to do only what you have asked us to do. We ask that you would lift us from the struggle and guilt we so often carry, replacing it with your powerful peace and rest. Thank you that you promise to make our paths straight and that you have the power to make all things new.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Design Credit: Rachel Dawson
Many of you reading this right now work so hard every single day. You serve faithfully, love well, and make great sacrifices for those you care about. But you may also be feeling weary, overwhelmed, or like a failure for not being able to get it all done.
God sees. He understands. And He knows the burdens you carry and promises to give rest. In the middle of our greatest feelings of weakness, He shows up strong. We can let go of the guilt, the defeat, the feelings that we are not enough, and the lies the enemy has whispered.
For God gives us hope and purpose. He renews our strength and invites us to bring every burden to Him. Take time to slow down today, fixing your eyes on Jesus. And He will bring you peace.
Debbie McDaniel is a writer, pastor's wife, mom to three amazing kids (and a lot of pets). Join her each morning on Fresh Day Ahead's Facebook page, for daily encouragement in living strong, free, hope-filled lives. Find her also on Twitter and at her blog www.debbiemcdaniel.com.
This article is part of our Prayers resource meant to inspire and encourage your prayer life when you face uncertain times. Visit our most popular prayers if you are wondering how to pray or what to pray. Remember, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us and God knows your heart even if you can't find the words to pray.
Serenity Prayer
The Lord’s Prayer
Irish Blessings & Prayers
Morning Prayers
Good Night Prayers
Prayer for Healing
Prayer for Protection
Design credit: Unsplash/Jake Givens
Originally published Thursday, 11 April 2019.
