We are going toward a corporate dynamic through our prayer lives, which are a response to His message and are bringing us in that direction. One of the most important aspects is the private nature in relation to God. Additionally, the prayer life ought to be guiding us toward a more communal and corporate nature within the context of the church’s life. The first step is to pray in private.
I am of the opinion that the power of fasting in relation to prayer is the spiritual equivalent of an atomic bomb that our Lord has bestowed upon us in order to destroy the strongholds of evil and to bring in a tremendous revival and spiritual harvest all across the world.
AIM OF FAST BACKGROUND
For a set time, Christians fast from food and drink to pray and fellowship with God. Fasting helps us grow closer to God and comprehend His divine and sovereign will, not to force Him to grant our pleas. We shouldn’t fast to force God to accomplish our will, but to do His.
Praying to God is fine. He encourages us and patiently accepts our prayers (Phil. 4:6). However, God loves us too much to bend to our will. Fasting helps us draw closer to God, surrender to His will, follow His guidance, and increase our resolve to obey His will. This is the best end we could hope for and rewards a few days of effort.
PURPOSES
To improve prayer Fasting and intercessory prayer are linked in many Old Testament passages. Although fasting does not influence God’s response to prayer, it can change our requests. As Wallis states, “Fasting is calculated to bring a note of urgency and importunity into our praying and to give force to our pleading in the court of heaven.”
SEEK GOD’S WILL Fasting to seek God’s counsel, like prayer, doesn’t change God but makes us more in tune with him.
FOR DELIVERY OR PROTECTION Old Testament fasting was often for release from enemies or circumstances. Biblical fasting is usually done alongside other Christians.
To repent and return to God This fasting expresses anguish over our faults and indicates our commitment to Christian obedience.
To humble oneself before God “Remember that fasting itself is not humility before God,” he says, “but should be an expression of humility.”
To love and worship God According to John Piper, fasting shows “what we hunger for most, we worship.”
Start your fast by doing the following:
Set Your Objective: Define the purpose of your fast (e.g., spiritual renewal, guidance). Seek clarity from the Holy Spirit to focus your prayers.
Make Your Commitment: Decide on the duration, type of fast, activity restrictions, and daily prayer time before starting to enhance commitment.
Prepare Spiritually: Repentance is key. Create a list of sins, confess, seek forgiveness from others, make restitution, and surrender fully to Jesus Christ.
Prepare Physically: Consult a physician if necessary, ease into fasting by eating smaller meals, and consume raw fruits and vegetables in the days leading up to the fast.
What I should and shouldn’t do when fasting
A transactional mindset is not appropriate when dealing with sting; rather, it is about aligning oneself with God’s already-existing blessings rather than trying to earn them.
Listen to your body; if fasting becomes overwhelmingly difficult, breaking the fast early is acceptable. Quality and sincerity during fasting are more important than duration.
Break fasts gently; reintroduce food slowly to prevent discomfort and promote health, starting with light foods.
Avoid self-condemnation for mistakes during fasting; repentance and continued commitment to faith are essential.
Refrain from gossip and maintaining strife during fasting; conduct should reflect peace and righteousness.
Increase prayer and worship during fasting; use time typically spent on food to connect more deeply with God.
Engage in Bible study; this is a time to seek deeper understanding of scriptures rather than superficial reading.
Cultivate a spirit of giving; reflect on God’s blessings and find ways to help others.
Stay vigilant against temptations and distractions; cut down on social media and other diversions to maintain focus during fasting.
When I look ahead, I believe that it has never been more necessary for the people of God to be on their knees than it is right now. Prayers to God are one of the most potent weapons that He has given us. Having the ability to pray, or even just understanding how to begin a prayer, is not always a simple task. His followers had the same level of bewilderment. They were familiar with the prayers that were given in the Torah on a regular basis. On the other hand, Jesus prayed with a level of authority and power that they had never witnessed before; it seemed as though God was paying attention! According to the account found in Matthew 6, the disciples did not approach Jesus with the request, “Teach us another prayer.” “Lord, teach us to pray,” they prayed to the Lord.
According to Matthew 6:9–13, Christ’s response is found in the Lord’s Prayer. It is a wonderful prayer, and it is one that every Christian ought to have hidden in their heart; I challenged my granddaughter to learn it by heart. I do not believe that Jesus intended for it to become another prayer that is merely a ritual, despite the fact that the words are quite eloquent. In its place, it was intended to serve as a model for how to pray.
How to restart your prayer life
1) Offering God Friendship
“Which of you who has a friend will go to him at midnight and say, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves, for a friend of mine has arrived on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him’? He will reply, ‘Do not bother me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed. Can’t get up and give you anything? He would rise and offer him anything he needs because of his impudence, but not because he is his friend.” Luke 11:5-8 (ESV)
The text underscores that prayer requests should not be timid; God, who holds ultimate authority, is accessible to believers and appreciates those who approach Him boldly. It posits that strong prayer resembles a robust friendship with God, where believers are encouraged to express their needs and desires openly.
The example of a persistent neighbor illustrates the concept, suggesting that while the neighbor relented due to annoyance, the relationship with God is different; it is characterized by a heartfelt willingness to engage and collaborate with the divine will. This insight encourages a deeper contemplation of the dynamics between human persistence in relationships and spiritual communion with God.
HE: “You are my friends if you do what I command you.” John 15:4 (ESV)
The passage highlights the significance of aligning one’s actions with God’s will, encouraging individuals to seek ways to move with God rather than asking Him to follow their desires. This notion is reflected in the treatment of the Lord’s Prayer, which serves as a model for prayer that emphasizes surrender to God’s will—”not my will, but God’s will be done.”
The Lord’s Prayer embodies key spiritual practices, including trust in God, acknowledgment of personal shortcomings, and the necessity of forgiving others—a challenging but essential aspect of moving with God. Ultimately, the passage advocates for a life of prayer that fosters fellowship and love for God, recognizing that true prayer fosters a deeper relationship and understanding of His presence.
2) God’s Availability
HE: “And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” Luke 11:9 ESV
Jesus wants us to pray passionately and constantly. The stanza shows this twice. Use the present imperative to ask, seek, and knock. Order of intensity: asking, seeking, knocking.
God will be silent at times and our prayers may go unanswered in this life. God hears our requests in His will. We should inquire, seek, and knock for God’s will, but He moves at His own pace. This is key for verse 10.
God’s Nature for Believers Father is how I’ll describe God’s prayer character. Christians alone can call God “Father.” “A Christian’s freedom from anxiety is not due to some guaranteed freedom from trouble but to the folly of worry and especially to the confidence that God is our Father.” Priest and theologian John R. Stott The New Testament uses “father” for God 165 times, compared to 15 in the Old Testament. In one of those instances, Jesus called Himself “Father,” although not with the disciples. According to John 1, those who received Jesus became children of God. From pulpits, we hear that all humans are God’s children. It’s not scriptural. The only children God declares are those adopted into His family by Jesus Christ’s blood and faith.
Ways to Develop Your Prayer Life
The importance of prayer is emphasized by the author of Hebrews, who exhorts believers to boldly approach God’s throne of grace in order to receive mercy and assistance.
Acknowledging that God hears and answers prayers is crucial for growing one’s prayer life, as reflected in Andrew Murray’s quote about God’s intent for prayer to have answers.
Designating a specific time and place for prayer, as practiced by Jesus, enhances consistency and allows for meaningful prayer experiences.
Prayers should be specific in requests, drawing inspiration from Jesus’ interaction with Bartimaeus, where clarity of need was vital.
Trusting God with the answers is essential, as seen in quotes from Spurgeon and Murray, focusing on aligning one’s will with God’s rather than trying to persuade Him.
The ultimate goal of prayer is to seek God’s kingdom and will, fostering submission and surrender to His broader understanding and wisdom.
Let’s begin with the basics. since everyone has different sleep requirements, it’s critical to develop a customized sleep routine in order to operate well during the day. While some people, like the author’s husband, need seven or even eight hours of sleep per night to function at their best, others, like me, may get by with only four. Your sleep and wake times should reflect your needs and the way you live your life; alarms can help you maintain this schedule.
Along with getting enough sleep, one can improve their daily lives by following Father Ripperger’s advice and establishing an organized spiritual routine. Morning Offering, carrying out duties associated with one’s life tasks, and Sunday attendance at The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass are essential parts of this regimen. Saying the Rosary, meditating for fifteen minutes, and reading spiritual literature, such as the Bible, for at least five minutes every day are all good habits to adopt.
Additional recommendations for a more regular spiritual practice include saying the Angelus at predetermined intervals, going to Mass every day, and honoring the feast days of saints. The Examination of Conscience, a nightly ritual, is another opportunity to think back on the day’s events and the promises you made to yourself. When practiced together, these methods provide a well-rounded strategy for spiritual and everyday life, helping people strike a balance between their obligations and the necessities of their daily lives.
Things you should keep as you start your prayer life as a catholic
Praying Psalms
One of my most formative prayer experiences has been praying the Psalms. Psalms are God’s prayerbook. They express a wide range of emotions and teach us how to pray with God, but they also stand firm in His sovereignty and goodness. Praying psalms aloud, either with a recording from the Dwell app or while reading your Bible, will help you memorize and practice prayer.
Novenas
Novenas are 9 days of intercession or prayer for a specific aim, modeled after the 9 days the believers in Acts prayed for the Holy Spirit between Jesus’ Ascension and Pentecost. I find PrayMoreNovenas.com a valuable resource for praying more novenas. Choose a specific Novena (praising the Lord for a certain trait or asking for the intercession of a saint or intention) or join a global novena.
A Rosary in My Car
As I adopted Church practices, the rosary became an important element of my prayer life. I kept the rosary in my car and prayed while driving to pray more and build a habit. I could clearly distinguish time alone in the car as time for the Lord.
Lighting Candles
We all know routine works. A strong morning and evening routine helps you sleep and start the day well. You do tangible things to remind yourself of a preparation. A prayer candle might remind your brain that you’re in “prayer mode” for this time of day.
A Few Quick Catholic Sayings for the Day
We don’t always have the luxury of time to devote solely to prayer because of the hectic nature of our daily lives.
God remains at the center of our existence, yet there are moments when we need a straightforward method to communicate with our compassionate Maker, who is always delighted to receive our messages.
Whatever difficulties I face today, God, please assist me to overcome them. Provide solace and stability for me. Help me to live according to Your will and to spread Your peace in this world today and always. With that, I pray.
“Father in heaven, I beg You to bless me as I begin this day. Please make it such that I am close to You and can see Your hand at work in my life. I humbly beseech You. With that, I pray.
On days like today, Father, I can let my wants and needs get the best of me. Your presence is my true need, and I am aware of this when I pause in times like this. Please help me to focus my day on You. May the serenity that I experience be shared with all others in my vicinity. With that, I pray.
Make Praying a Daily Habit. Take a Free Look at Hallow! Daily Prayers Prayed by Many For many Christians and Catholics, the prayers they learn initially are also the ones they pray most frequently.
Praying every day doesn’t have to be difficult. Every day, our prayer life can be shaped by the simple phrases we learn as youngsters.
Be careful not to recite these prayers word for word when you offer them up daily. Say the words out, not just repeat them. The impact of these brief prayers is profound.
Dear Mary A Depiction of the Blessed Mother Here are some social media platforms: The Lord is with you, Mary, and you are blessed among women; Jesus, who was born of you, is also blessed. We beg you, Holy Mary, Mother of God, to intercede on behalf of us sinners both now and when we die. With that, I pray.
Hail Mary, according to Hallow’s comprehensive handbook.
Dear Heavenly Father, In whose holy name we pray, We ask that you, O Lord, to establish your kingdom here on earth and to accomplish your will just as you have said in heaven. Today, we ask that you provide us with food to eat, that you pardon our transgressions so that we can forgive those who wrong us, and that you protect us from evil and temptation. Please, God.
View the complete Lord’s Prayer guide on Hallow.
The Honor Is Due Glorify the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. This is how it has always been, is, and will be, without beginning or end. With that, I pray.
Prayer is the lifeline of our christian relationship. We are commanded by God’s word to make prayer our lifestyle. We must therefore cultivate a continuous attitude of a sustained prayer life. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 is translated in various versions as “pray continually,” “never stop praying,” and “pray constantly” . This doesn’t mean being on your knees 24/7. As the commentary in the search results suggests, it implies a continual, habitual practice—maintaining a prayerful attitude throughout your daily life, a constant awareness of God’s presence and a readiness to communicate with Him .
Also in Ephesians 6:18 there is an expanded idea on the subject of prayer: “Pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests” . This verse emphasizes that prayer should happen in every season of life, using every kind of prayer—from quiet contemplation to desperate petitions. It’s a call to spiritual alertness, staying watchful and persistent in prayer, especially for fellow believers .
What is prayer?
Speaking with your Father on a daily basis is what prayer is all about. Prayer is similar to the way in which we communicate with others who are in our vicinity. We disclose information to them, seek their guidance, and so on. We are unable to see God in a physical form, but He is present at all times; this is the only distinction there is.
It is hardly possible to overlook the importance of prayer in the life of someone who is religious. Praying men could not have a better role model than Jesus. His prayers were effective, and he would spend the entire night in prayer.
How to make prayer a lifestyle
But you might be asking, how can I make my prayer life more effective?
First and foremost, you are required to choose a period of time that is quite convenient for you and stick to that schedule every single day. You should make an effort to choose a time that is convenient for you since you want to enjoy your prayer life rather than suffer it. This is of great importance.
Starting and finishing an activity with praise is a practice that can bring about profound change. Make sure that you begin and conclude your prayers with expressions of gratitude and praise. This is the simplest method of praying and sustaining a lifestyle of effective prayer life over time.
Put spiritual needs above physical ones. Remember that God knows our needs. He knows our situation. We should still pray for these specifically. Pray for your husband’s employment, nephew’s asthma, and child’s school event. Before that, pray for your soul and others. I John 1:9 says to confess and repent of your sins. Then keep things in perspective. You fight spiritual evil in your prayer life (Ephesians 6:12). All our transitory wants are important to God. But our everlasting salvation matters more to him.
A List can aid your prayer life. I sometimes lose focus when praying. Or worse, it drifts to my daily tasks. Having a list helps. We have discussed not being legalistic in our prayers, yet a tight prayer To Do List might dry up your prayer life. In contrast, the wandering mind…
Make a list of your prayers, but don’t feel obligated to follow it if the Holy Spirit leads you in worship. This can be done various ways. One option is to list daily prayers and then choose topics for each day of the week. Downloadable bookmarks from a Prayer Journal Workshop are an example.
Let the Psalms become your own prayer language. When you can’t find the words, read a psalm aloud as your prayer.
Pray without doubt (James 1:6; 5:15).
Be honest with yourself and others about your unbelief and ask God for help (Matt. 9:24). Fight unbelief with God’s Word. Paul says in Romans 10:17, “so faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” Do not let uncertainty become unbelief. Clear your mind of doubt and plant God’s Word like good incorruptible seeds in your heart, praying for its growth and fruit.
Join others in prayer. Prayer transforms people, things, and situations. It’s designed to make us outward-focused, thinking about others’ interests as well as our own. You pray at home and in a community. Prayer unites and knits God’s people. Praying for and with others makes us invested in their problems and successes. Prayer holds the church together. We get strength through prayer.
I. Ephesians 1:17-19a I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you spiritual wisdom and revelation in your growing knowledge of him–since the eyes of your heart have been enlightened–so that you may know what is the hope of his calling, what is the wealth of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the incomparable greatness of his power toward us who believe.
II. Ephesians 3:16-19 I pray that according to the wealth of his glory [the Father] may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inner person, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, so that, because you have been rooted and grounded in love, you may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and thus to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.
III. Philippians 1:9-11 And I pray this, that your love may abound even more and more in knowledge and every kind of insight so that you can decide what is best, and thus be sincere and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God.
How to start a prayer life
Recognize the need for God’s presence in everyday life to foster communication and reliance through prayer.
Create a habit of sincere prayer without falling into legalism; a routine is beneficial.
Establish a morning routine to set a positive tone for the day, starting with time spent with God.
Incorporate prayer into daily tasks that require minimal mental effort, like folding laundry or cooking.
Pray regularly with others for accountability and consistency in your prayer life.
Start praying immediately when a prayer need arises, rather than postponing or only discussing prayer.
Make a commitment to prayer by scheduling regular times and sticking to them.
Document answered prayers to recognize God’s influence, which encourages continued prayer.
Understand that consistent prayer increases the desire to pray more frequently and deeply.
The psalmist in Psalm 42 knows this feeling intimately. He asks the hard questions of his own heart: “Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me?”
But then, he does something extraordinary. He doesn’t just sit in the despair. He instructs his own soul. He speaks truth to his own turmoil. His answer is a powerful, three-part resolution:
“Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.” — Psalm 42:11 (NIV)
This isn’t a denial of the pain. It’s a declaration of faith in spite of it. The expression, “I will still praise him” signifies an inner determination and a forward-facing outlook. It’s a choice to persistently, continually, and repeatedly praise the Lord. This intentional act of praise shifts our focus from the swirling problems to God, our Savior—the One who is faithful and will bring deliverance.
To have hope in God is to wait expectantly for him. Since he is faithful to help, we can know that we will praise him again. This gives us at least a vision of ourselves rejoicing in the future, a light at the end of the tunnel.
As another psalmist declares with similar resolve: “But I will keep on hoping for your help; I will praise you more and more.” — Psalm 71:14 (NLT)
How do you Praise God in the Midst of a Storm
1. Deuteronomy 31:6 “Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”
2. Psalm 23:4-6 “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.”
3. Psalm 27:4-5 “One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple. For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will lift me high upon a rock.”
4. Isaiah 43:2 “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.”
5. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
🎶 When You Need to Command Your Soul to Praise
6. Psalm 34:1 “I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth.”
7. Psalm 42:5 “Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation.”
8. Psalm 103:2 “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.”
9. Psalm 71:23 “My lips will shout for joy, when I sing praises to you; my soul also, which you have redeemed.”
10. Hebrews 13:15 “Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.”
✨ When You Need Joy, Thanksgiving, and a Song
11. 1 Chronicles 16:9 “Sing to him, sing praises to him; tell of all his wondrous works!”
12. Psalm 100:4 “Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name!”
13. Psalm 69:30 “I will praise the name of God with a song; I will magnify him with thanksgiving.”
14. Psalm 149:3 “Let them praise his name with dancing, making melody to him with tambourine and lyre!”
15. Psalm 150:1-6 “Praise the Lord! Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens! Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his excellent greatness!… Let everything that has breath praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!”
🌱 When You Need Perspective on Suffering and Future Hope
16. Matthew 5:4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.”
17. John 10:10 “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”
18. James 1:2 “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds.”
19. Philippians 4:19 “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”
20. Revelation 21:4 “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
One of the greatest difficulties in life is coping with suffering when it touches you and the people you love. Popular opinion says: “If you really love God and do your best to serve Him, your life will be free from suffering.” This notion has circulated for thousands of years, but it is dead wrong! Sometimes the opposite is true. Some of the greatest heroes in the Bible endured tremendous suffering. The same is true today. Some of God’s most precious people suffer the most.
What does the story of Job teach us about suffering
Suffering can touch our lives at four different levels which often overlap.
🏥 Our physical health can be taken from us, temporarily or permanently.
👨👩👧👦 Our most important relationships in life may be lost, damaged, or destroyed.
🧠 Our emotional health can be attacked by stress, depression, or a host of other problems.
🙏 Our spiritual lives may be shaken as we fight spiritual battles.
Many of you are burdened with suffering today. If your life has been free from suffering, fasten your seat belt because suffering visits each of us at some time during our life. Suffering can show up any time, anywhere, with anybody. Like the products we buy at Wal-Mart, suffering comes in all sizes and varieties, big and small. Some suffering lasts a short time while other sufferings never quit.
💔 Discuss the story of job life and suffering
Job was a man of integrity. He stayed away from evil, and the Lord was pleased with him. Satan, however, thought that the only reason for Job’s patience was his prosperity. Satan wanted to remove that prosperity and cause Job to walk away from God. God allowed Satan to test Job.
Job’s farm animals were stolen, and his farmhands were killed. His children were killed by a tornado. Job stood up, tore his robe, and shaved his head. But his grief didn’t make him angry. It made him fall to the ground to worship God. He cried:
“I came naked from my mother’s womb, and I will be naked when I leave. The Lord gave me what I had, and the Lord has taken it away. Praise the name of the Lord!”
— Job 1:21 (NLT)
He praised his God even though his circumstances wanted him to do otherwise.
God was pleased. Satan wasn’t and asked if he could take away Job’s health. Job was struck with painful boils from head to toe. Job’s wife mocked his integrity and urged him to curse God. Job replied: “You sound like a foolish woman. Shall we accept only good things from the hand of God and never anything bad?”
🤔 The Threefold Crisis in Suffering
1. Loving God for Nothing
A key to interpreting the book of Job is found early in the first chapter in the Accuser’s question, “Does Job fear God for no reason?” (Job 1:9). The accusation is that a relationship with God—with God—is impossible, because Job loves the gifts more than the Giver.
“This is the issue at stake in the book of Job: will human beings continue in a relationship with God in which all they gain from the relationship is God? Or are we just too selfish? Is our piety just for show? Will we ever treat God as anything more than a business partner or a means to an end?”
— The Gospel Coalition, “Job and the Problem of Suffering”
This is powerfully relevant to us. As theologian D.A. Carson reflects on Job-like faith:
“Even Job’s demand that God present himself before Job and give an answer is the cry of a believer seeking to find out what on earth God is doing. Even while sitting in the ash pit, Job trusts God enough to express extraordinary confidence in him, and for no ulterior motive.”
— D.A. Carson, How Long, O Lord?
2. The Three (Wrong) Answers of Job’s Friends
Three of Job’s friends heard of the tragedies and came to visit Job to comfort and console him. At first, they sat with Job in silence because his suffering was too great for words. But then they spoke, and in doing so, they presented the typical—and inadequate—explanations for suffering.
Eliphaz insinuated hidden sin: “Stop and think! Do the innocent die? When have the upright been destroyed?” (Implied from Job 4:7-8).
Bildad theorized simple restoration through repentance: “If you pray to God and seek the favor of the Almighty… he will rise up and restore your happy home.” (Implied from Job 8:5-6).
Zophar outright accused and demanded confession: “If only you would prepare your heart and lift up your hands to him in prayer! Get rid of your sins… Then you will hold your head high.” (Implied from Job 11:13-15).
Their error was reasoning backward from effect to cause. They believed that if disaster occurred, the cause must be spiritual rebellion. The book of Job teaches us to avoid pronouncing causes for the affliction of others. We are not God.
3. What God Asks of Us in the Fog
When God allows tremendous and seemingly inexplicable pain, what does he expect from us? The answer in the book of Job is surprisingly simple. The Accuser predicted that Job would curse God. Instead, Job blessed God (Job 1:21).
“When we find ourselves in Job-like suffering, what God wants from us is not complicated: we are to hold on to our relationship with him and not give up on him.”
— The Gospel Coalition, “Job and the Problem of Suffering”
This is the essence of Job’s famous declaration:
“Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him.”
— Job 13:15 (NIV)
🗺️how does the story of job relate to evil and suffering
1. 🛣️ Prepare in the Light for the Dark Valley
The best way to prepare for suffering is to walk wisely with God now. Before we hear of Job’s trials, we hear of his character.
“Job was ‘blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil’ (Job 1:1). Arguably, his life of obedience prepared him for the suffering he faces.”
— Crossway, “4 Truths from the Book of Job”
2. 🗣️ Grant Grace for Grievous Words
Great sorrow affects our clarity. A righteous person, like Job, might curse their day of birth (Job 3). They might ask, “How could God really love me and let me go through this trial?”
“As we listen to someone speak in the midst of their suffering, we shouldn’t be surprised if they think or say untrue things. Great affliction can rock someone’s world at the deepest level… The valley of despair can be dark, and it can be long. People might say something in the dark that they’d never have said in the light.”
— Crossway, “4 Truths from the Book of Job”
3. 🙌 Worship, Even Here
After Job’s children perish, he speaks what may be the most famous words of the whole book: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord” (Job 1:21).
“Job’s circumstances are not the conditions for worship. God himself is the sufficient reason for unending praise. The greatness of God is not diminished by great suffering. The goodness of God is not negated by bad circumstances.”
— Crossway, “4 Truths from the Book of Job”
This is the ultimate answer to the Accuser’s question in Job 1:9. We can love God for who He is, not just for what He gives. Even in the valley, He is worthy.
The story of Job hits us right in the gut. Here was a man who was “upright and unwavering in his commitment to God,” yet he loses everything—his children, his wealth, and eventually his health. It’s a story that forces us to confront the big, uncomfortable question: Why do bad things happen to good people?
For some of us, Job’s experience resonates profoundly. The amount or type of loss we’ve experienced drives us to meet Job in the pit of despair. For others, his suffering is so extreme it feels theoretical.
But the book of Job is unique. It doesn’t give us one simple answer. Instead, it invites us into a conversation.
As Old Testament professor John Goldingay explains in his commentary, Job for Everyone: “It discusses the questions this kind of experience raises by adopting the form of a play, in which the different characters put forward different insights on how we might understand Job’s experience. This device makes it possible to express the different insights without having to claim that just one of them is correct. While some of them may be more or less illuminating in connection with Job’s particular story, none of them contains the whole truth, and none of them is wholly wrong.”
📖 The Story of Job and suffering
Studying Job allows us to sit with the mystery and, in the end, find a comfort that is far deeper than a simple explanation.
💡 5 Profound Lessons from Job’s Suffering
1. ❌ Suffering is Not Always a Punishment for Sin
I think many of us carry a hidden assumption: if life is going well, God is pleased with me. If it’s falling apart, I must have done something wrong. We automatically ask, “What did I do to deserve this?”
But Job’s story shatters this idea. God Himself describes Job as a man “that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil” (Job 1:8). His suffering wasn’t a consequence of hidden sin.
This truth is echoed in the New Testament. When Jesus’ disciples saw a man blind from birth, they asked, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus’ reply was clear: “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him” (John 9:1-3 ESV).
The Lesson: While we should always examine our hearts in times of trouble, we mustn’t automatically equate suffering with divine punishment. And we must be incredibly careful not to make that judgment about other people’s pain.
2. 🙏 We Can Choose to Worship, Even in Devastation
The speed of Job’s loss is breathtaking. In a single day, four messengers arrive one after another, reporting that his livestock, servants, and all ten of his children have been wiped out (Job 1:13-19).
In the face of this unimaginable catastrophe, Job’s response is one of the most stunning acts of faith in the entire Bible:
“Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshiped. And he said, ‘Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.’ In all this Job did not sin or charge God with wrong.” (Job 1:20-22)
Job didn’t pretend it didn’t hurt. The tearing of his robe and shaving of his head are raw, cultural expressions of deep grief. But in his grief, he worshipped. He acknowledged that everything he had was a gift from God’s hand to begin with, and he blessed God’s name even when the gifts were taken away.
The Lesson: True faith isn’t about denying the pain; it’s about choosing to trust God’s character even when His ways are completely incomprehensible.
3. 😔 It’s Okay to Lament and Be Honest with God
The suffering doesn’t stop. In chapter 2, Satan afflicts Job with “loathsome sores from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head” (Job 2:7). The physical agony, on top of his emotional torment, is too much to bear in silence.
And so, Job laments. He pours out his anguish. He doesn’t curse God, but he does complain bitterly. He gives voice to the despair that so many feel but are afraid to say out loud:
“Therefore I will not restrain my mouth; I will speak in the anguish of my spirit; I will complain in the bitterness of my soul.” (Job 7:11)
“Oh, that I might have my request, that God would grant what I hope for, that God would be willing to crush me, to let loose his hand and cut off my life!” (Job 6:8-9)
“My days are swifter than a weaver’s shuttle, and they come to an end without hope.” (Job 7:6)
The Lesson: Agonized prayer to God is not a sin. It is the raw, honest cry of a child to their Father. God can handle our anger, our confusion, and our tears. He prefers our honest lament over a silent, distant heart.
4. 👥 Even Well-Meaning People Can Offer Terrible Comfort
Job’s three friends, Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar, start off well—they sit with him in silence for seven days (Job 2:13). But when they open their mouths, they become a case study in how not to comfort someone who is suffering.
They are convinced of one thing: Job must have sinned to deserve this. Their “comfort” is a series of theological lectures accusing him of hidden wickedness.
Eliphaz implies Job is a fool and being disciplined (Job 4-5).
Bildad coldly suggests Job’s children died because of their sin (Job 8).
Zophar says Job actually deserves worse than what he’s getting (Job 11, 20).
They are the embodiment of the old English proverb: “With friends like these, who needs enemies?” They compound his isolation instead of alleviating it.
The Lesson: When someone is suffering, our role is not to explain their pain, but to share it. Presence is often more powerful than prose. We are called to weep with those who weep, not to diagnose their spiritual condition.
5. 👑 Suffering Can Reveal Who God Really Is
After dozens of chapters of debate and lament, God finally speaks from the whirlwind (Job 38-41). But notice: He doesn’t answer Job’s “Why?” question. He doesn’t explain the heavenly wager with Satan. Instead, He reveals Himself.
He takes Job on a tour of creation, asking, “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?” (Job 38:4). In the face of this overwhelming display of power, wisdom, and majesty, Job is humbled. He realizes the answer isn’t an explanation, but an encounter.
Job’s final response summarizes what he learned:
“Then Job answered the LORD and said: ‘I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted… Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know… I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you; therefore I despise myself, and repent in dust and ashes.’” (Job 42:1-6)
From this, we learn six core truths about God:
🦸♂️ God is Omnipotent (42:2a): He can do all things.
👑 God is Sovereign (42:2b): No purpose of His can be thwarted.
🧠 God is Omniscient (42:3): His knowledge is limitless; ours is not.
🌳 God is Independent (42:4): He doesn’t need our advice.
👀 God is Revealed (42:5): He makes Himself known.
✨ God is Holy (42:6): In His light, we see our own place.
The Lesson: The ultimate purpose in our suffering may not be to get an answer, but to know the Answerer. It’s in the valley that we move from knowing about God to truly seeing Him.
💎Story of Job in the Bible offers hope
Even in his deepest despair, Job’s faith flickers with incredible light. Amidst cries of hopelessness, he makes some of the most hopeful declarations in Scripture:
“Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him; I will surely defend my ways to his face.” (Job 13:15)
“But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I shall come forth as gold.” (Job 23:10)
And in a stunning moment of insight, he cries out:
“Oh, that my words were recorded, that they were written on a scroll, that they were inscribed with an iron tool on lead, or engraved in rock forever! I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; I myself will see him with my own eyes—I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!” (Job 19:23-27)
This is the hope that sustains us: our Redeemer lives. The story ends with God restoring Job’s fortunes, giving him twice as much as he had before (Job 42:10-17). It’s a beautiful picture of redemption, but it doesn’t erase the pain that came before. The scars remain, but so does the testimony: God was there in the storm, and He is worthy of our trust, even when we don’t understand.
It can be very isolating and perplexing to go through a difficult time. It can seem like the darkness is all there is. But throughout the Bible, God meets us in our pain not with simplistic answers, but with His profound presence and eternal promises. These scriptures and stories are a reminder that you are not alone, your pain has purpose, and a dawn of unimaginable joy is coming.
The most profound comfort in suffering is the assurance that God is with us. He is not a distant observer; He is a present help.
Isaiah 43:2 paints a powerful picture of His companionship: “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.”
Notice it doesn’t say “if” you go through deep waters, but “when.” Hard times are a part of life in a broken world. But God’s promise is to be with you in the midst of them, to be your lifeline and your protection so you are not destroyed.
Psalm 23:4 gives us perhaps the most cherished image of this: “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”
The valley of the shadow is a real and frightening place. But we walk through it—we don’t set up camp there. And we can do so without ultimate fear because our Shepherd is with us. His rod (for protection) and His staff (for guidance) are active tools of His comfort. He is actively leading and defending you, even when you can’t see it.
This is a truth we can cling to, just as Moses did. He knew that without God’s presence, any journey—even one to the Promised Land—was pointless.
“If your presence doesn’t take the lead here, call this trip off right now” (Exodus 33:15 MSG).
“I’ve spoken these words more times than I can count: ‘God, if you don’t go with me, I don’t want to go.’ These are the words I want to speak when it comes to walking through suffering, too. I want to look to the One who knit me together in my mother’s womb and ask him to go with me.” This is the heart cry we can all echo, and we have Jesus’ final promise to hold onto: “I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20).
💪 A sermon about Christian hope amid suffering
Suffering exhausts us. It drains our emotional, physical, and spiritual reserves. But God’s strength is made perfect in our weakness.
🫀 Psalm 73:26 is a raw and honest confession: “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”
There comes a point where our own strength gives out. Our bodies get sick, our hearts break, and our resolve withers. This verse doesn’t deny that reality. Instead, it points us to the infinite, unfailing strength of God Himself. When you are at your end, He becomes your everything—your “portion.”
This strengthening often happens through the process of perseverance, as explained in Romans 5:3-5:
“Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”
This isn’t about pretending suffering is fun. It’s about a divine perspective that sees a purpose in the pain. Suffering can produce in us a staying power we didn’t have before (perseverance). That staying power forges a Christ-like character in us. And that tested, proven character solidifies a hope that is unshakable because it’s rooted in God’s love, poured directly into our hearts by the Holy Spirit.
And we have this stunning promise of restoration from 1 Peter 5:10: “And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.”
God doesn’t just send help; He Himself will personally restore you. He will put you back together, make you strong and firm, and set you on a solid foundation.
🕯️ What is the purpose of pain
One of the hardest questions in suffering is “Why?” While we may never know the specific reason for a particular pain on this side of heaven, Scripture gives us profound truths about its place in God’s redemptive plan.
⚖️ Romans 8:28 is a cornerstone of hope: “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”
This doesn’t mean all things are good. Suffering, evil, and loss are not good. But God, in His sovereign power and love, weaves even these dark threads into the tapestry of our lives to produce a ultimate good—conforming us to the image of Christ and fulfilling His purpose.
This leads to an almost unbelievable perspective, like Paul’s in Philippians 3:8: “Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ.”
And this incredible promise in 2 Corinthians 4:17: “For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison.”
From an eternal perspective, our years of suffering are “light and momentary” compared to the unimaginable, “eternal weight of glory” that is being prepared for us. The pain has a purpose: it is preparing us for an glory that is “beyond all comparison.”
This is the heart of Christian optimism in the face of hardship. It’s not a naive denial of pain, but a steadfast hope in a victory that was promised from the very beginning.
1. Genesis 3:14-15 — God has always had victory over evil. “Then the LORD God said to the serpent, ‘Because you have done this, you are cursed more than all animals, domestic and wild. You will crawl on your belly, groveling in the dust as long as you live. And I will cause hostility between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring. He will strike your head, and you will strike his heel’” (NLT). “This wasn’t just a metaphor about Satan’s conflict with humans and his eventual humiliation; it was a statement of God’s ultimate victory. Evil might be able to wound people for a time, but from the beginning God knew that Jesus would defeat death and Satan. Although the devil intended for sin and brokenness to destroy us, his designs are powerless, and suffering won’t have the final word.“
🤲 How God Takes Care of Our Broken Hearts
God’s care for us in our pain is not only powerful and purposeful, but it is also deeply personal and tender.
💧 Psalm 56:8 shows us a God who is intimately acquainted with our grief: “You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book.” (NLT)
“When we’re hurting we may feel like God is distant or distracted, but He’s described here in a profoundly tender, engaged and intimate way. God cared about David’s heartache enough to notice and remember each tear, and He cares about our sorrows with the same gentle intensity. Nothing we go through escapes His compassionate attention.“
🕊️ And when we have no words left to pray, Romans 8:26-27 assures us: “And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will.” (NLT)
Our sighs, our tears, our wordless anguish are not lost. The Spirit Himself translates them into perfect prayers that align with the will of the Father.
🤝 This divine comfort is also meant to be shared through community, as 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 explains: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”
God comforts us not just so we can feel better, but so we can become conduits of His comfort to others. Our pain becomes a platform for ministry, allowing us to offer the same genuine comfort we received from God.
🌈 The Promise of Restoration brings Hope That Never Disappoints
The Christian story does not end in the valley. It ends in restoration, joy, and a world made new.
✨ Revelation 21:4 gives us the ultimate hope: “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
“This passage isn’t wishful imagination. It’s an unshakeable promise of a real day when we’ll live with God and experience His complete restoration in heaven. There will be no more sin or brokenness, no more fear, loss or grief. There will just be freedom, joy and wholeness forever.“
This is the glory that makes our present sufferings pale in comparison. As Romans 8:18 declares: “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.”
Hold on to this hope. Your story is not over. The God who is with you in the valley is the same God who is leading you, with sure and certain steps, into His glorious light.
Evening prayers are like a gentle sigh at the end of a long day. They don’t need to be perfect or lengthy; their true power is in the honest act of turning our hearts toward our Heavenly Father. It’s about sharing our burdens, expressing our gratitude, and entrusting our rest to the One who never sleeps.
As one source beautifully puts it, “Prayers in the evening do not need to be long and eloquent. The purpose and power of prayer is to talk to God and open up your heart to him.” You can recite the prayers below verbatim, or use them as a springboard to create your own personal bedtime conversation with God.
🙏 Simple Bedtime Prayers to Center Your Heart
Sometimes, you just need a few short sentences to express your heart. Here are a few gentle prayers to usher in a peaceful night.
“Lord, as the night descends, wrap Your protective arms around us. Grant us peaceful rest and watch over us through the darkness. Amen.”
“In the stillness of this night, we turn to You, O God, seeking comfort and guidance. May Your presence fill our hearts with tranquility and your love illuminate our dreams. Amen.”
“As we close our eyes in sleep, Lord, we surrender our worries and fears into Your caring hands. Grant us restful sleep and awaken us refreshed to greet the new day. Amen.”
💖 A Deeper Prayer of Surrender
This longer prayer is a beautiful way to release the tensions of the day and prepare your heart and mind for restorative sleep.
“Dear God, as I lay me down to sleep, relax the tension of my body; calm the restlessness of my mind; still the thoughts which worry and perplex me. Help me to rest myself and all my problems in your strong and loving arms. Let your Spirit speak to my mind and heart while I am asleep, so that, when I wake up in the morning, I may find that I have received in the night-time, light for my way; strength for my tasks; peace for my worries; forgiveness for my sins. Grant me sleep tonight, and tomorrow power to live.”
📖 powerful prayer for stress and anxiety
When your mind is racing as a result of so much stress, and sleep feels impossible, turning God’s promises into personal prayers can be incredibly powerful. Here are some common nighttime struggles and scriptures to pray through them.
Almighty God, We bless you for our lives, we give you praise for your abundant mercy and grace we receive. We thank you for your faithfulness even though we are not that faithful to you. Lord Jesus, we ask you to give us all around peace in our mind, body, soul and spirit. We want you to heal and remove everything that is causing stress, grief, and sorrow in our lives. Please guide our path through life and make our enemies be at peace with us. Let your peace reign in our family, at our place of work, businesses and everything we lay our hands on. Let your angels of peace go ahead of us when we go out and stay by our side when we return. In Jesus’ name,
🫂 For When You Can’t Stop Worrying…
The Promise:“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:6-7 (NLT)
A Prayer: “Lord, I’ve been trying so hard to calm my mind on my own, but it feels impossible. The to-do lists and anxieties of the day keep swirling, preventing me from falling asleep. Help me to truly believe what You’ve said: that I shouldn’t worry about anything, but instead, I should talk to You about everything. Jesus, remind my heart to pray and consciously lay my problems down at Your feet before my head hits the pillow. I long to experience that supernatural peace and rest that only You can provide. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
🏋️♂️ For When Your Burdens Feel Too Heavy…
The Promise:“Then Jesus said, ‘Come to Me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.’” – Matthew 11:28-30 (NLT)
A Prayer: “Father, I confess that sometimes it’s hard to trust You with everything. I feel the weight of my responsibilities, my relationships, and my concerns like a physical weight on my chest when I try to sleep. Holy Spirit, gently remind me in those moments that I can hand these things over to You. Teach me what it means to take Your yoke, which is easy and light. I want giving my burdens to You to become my automatic response, the true posture of my heart. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.”
🛡️ For When You Feel Fearful or Unsafe…
The Promise:“In peace I will lie down and sleep, for You alone, O LORD, will keep me safe.” – Psalm 4:8 (NLT)
A Prayer: “God, sometimes fear creeps in when the lights go out. I get scared that something bad might happen while I’m vulnerable and asleep. These fears can keep me tossing and turning all night. Lord, help my spirit to cling to the truth of Your Word: that You alone will watch over me and protect me. You are my keeper. Holy Spirit, help me to not just know this intellectually, but to truly feel it and enter into the active peace and rest You offer me every single night. In Jesus’ holy name, amen.”
🌅 For When You’re Anxious About Tomorrow…
The Promise:“So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.” – Matthew 6:34 (NLT)
A Prayer: “Lord, my brain just won’t shut off about what might happen tomorrow, next week, or next year. I play out scenarios and worry about things that haven’t even happened yet, and it robs me of the rest I need for today. Jesus, help me to remember that I can trust Your hand and Your provision in my life, one day at a time. Holy Spirit, when my thoughts start racing ahead, gently whisper Jesus’ words to my heart: I don’t need to worry about tomorrow. I can trust it to You. In His name alone. Amen.”
🕊️ For When You Long for Lasting Peace…
The Promise:“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” – John 14:27 (NLT)
A Prayer: “Father, if I look at the news or even just at my own circumstances, there are so many reasons to feel anxious and concerned. I sometimes forget the incredible gift You’ve given me—a genuine peace of mind and heart that isn’t dependent on my situation. I am so easily troubled by the things of this world. Lord, when I find myself overwhelmed by my circumstances, remind me that this gift is already mine. Help me to simply receive Your peace and enter into that place of soul-deep rest. In the most precious name of Jesus Christ. Amen.”
❤️ A Closing Prayer for You and Your Loved Ones
This final prayer is a beautiful way to end your day, lifting up both yourself and those you care about.
“Tonight Lord, bless , Lord, with joy and peace. Teach them to love Your Word and find delight in serving You. Guide them and give them the strength and courage to live a life of generosity and justice and compassion. Make their heart steadfast and secure, free of fear and trusting only in You. I pray for __ in the name of Jesus, that they would see their need of You and know Your love for them. Help me to find sweet rest and peace tonight trusting in your sovereign care. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.”
In one way or another, fear is a part of everyone’s life. Sadly, fear still affects us and can paralyze us if we are not careful. Fear can prevent us from being the person the Lord has called us to be. Fear is something that the Lord does not want us to experience.
Indeed, it is crucial to have the fear of the Lord, but the issue is when you fear everything else. Fearing the Lord is a good thing. This indicates that we hold God in high regard. It indicates our admiration and respect for Him. When our fear of other things becomes so great that it consumes us, we have to take back our authority.
2 Timothy 1:7 “For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”
Psalm 23:4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
Isaiah 41:10 fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
🚦 Lose the wait
In order to see God go to work, Gideon had to step over the line of fear and get out of the winepress. He had to decide to trust God and take the bold step God had asked him to take. He had to do some things that were surely uncomfortable for him. He had to lose the wait and be obedient to the go. It’s in the obedience that brings the strength.
The same is true for you and me. With faith and trust, we have to do whatever it is God is asking us to do. The moment we start moving in that direction, we find ourselves receiving all the strength we need. We find that God is with us. We must learn that fear is a feeling, and we can overcome fear through making the decision to trust and obey what God is asking us to do. That’s where faith comes in. Faith should activate our actions.
⏳ The Trap of Waiting
It is so easy to get stuck waiting. Waiting for people to believe in us. Waiting until we get to a place of strength. Waiting to feel more qualified. Waiting for the economy to improve. Waiting for just the right circumstances.
We have to lose the wait. Start moving in the direction of your God-given dreams and desires. It’s the only way to see brighter days.
This idea of active faith, rather than passive waiting, is echoed throughout scripture. James cuts to the heart of the matter:
“What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone?… Just as the body is dead without breath, so also faith is dead without good works.”
— James 2:14, 26 (NLT)
Faith isn’t just a belief we hold; it’s a power that propels us forward.
☀️ The Marine Layer: Your Fog Isn’t Everywhere
Many times we allow the fogs of life fool us. We look around and just see fog, gloom, or discouraging circumstances. Thoughts whisper, “It’s permanent. You’ll never get well. Never meet the right person. Never get the breaks to accomplish the dream.” But what we can’t see is it’s just a season. Just a little further, there are sunny skies. Favor, good breaks, the right people, new opportunities.
Don’t let the fog fool you. Don’t let the dark clouds convince you to stay where you are. Take some steps of faith. Go a little further, try another option, do something you haven’t done. That fog you’re under may not move just yet, but it’s not everywhere. When you go in the strength you have, you’ll discover the brighter days that will move you into your destiny.
🌱 Motion is the Antidote: Open the Curtains
I once talked with a woman who was overwhelmed by depression after her husband left her unexpectedly… She was paralyzed by the fear of never being happy again. It felt so real that she couldn’t even get out of bed. She began spending day after day in a darkened bedroom with the door shut… Then one day, at a friend’s encouragement, she made just one tiny little move. She summoned all her strength and will and… opened the curtains. That’s it. Just the smallest and simplest of steps. She let the sun in.
Soon, seeing some blue sky and green leaves got her to a place where she could take a walk. A few walks led to conversations and coffee and other little joys of everyday life. She gained more strength and began to hope again. She simply started moving. A few little steps led to bigger steps and soon her smile was back… Today she’s flourishing.
Things wouldn’t have turned around like they did, if she hadn’t used the strength she had and taken that first step.
This principle is powerful because it aligns with how God designed us for growth. We often think we need to feel ready before we act, but God’s pattern is often the reverse. As we see in the story of the Israelites entering the Promised Land, sometimes the miracle happens mid-step.
“And as soon as the priests who carry the ark of the Lord—the Lord of all the earth—set foot in the Jordan, its waters flowing downstream will be cut off and stand up in a heap.”
— Joshua 3:13 (NIV)
The water didn’t part while they were camped safely on the shore. It parted only when the priests’ feet touched the river’s edge. Their movement activated the miracle.
🚶♀️ Your First Step Awaits
How about you? Are you waiting to feel stronger, more prepared, or better situated before you step out? Maybe it’s time to lose the wait.
You need energy to be strong, and energy exists when something is moving. Simply put, you can’t grow stronger until you get going.
If you feel stuck, take a step. Even the smallest step can get you moving toward a better future.
Open a window.
Make that phone call.
Ask that question.
Do that thing that seems like just a little bit of a stretch.
Face that task that intimidates you a little.
That’s how you build your strength and confidence. That’s how you start believing in yourself again. From where you stand today, each day may seem cloudy, dreary, and shrouded in fog, but I can assure you that there are clear skies and sunshine only a short distance away.
