We all need 10 things you should pray in times of uncertainty. One thing is certain in this life—we will have trouble . . . Jesus told us this in advance, so it should come as no surprise. Instead of allowing emotions to take hold and leave us fearful, here are 10 ways to pray when the road ahead is bumpy and uncertain:
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Sometimes life is smooth sailing, and all is right in our world, but sometimes . . . it’s not. That’s where I find myself at the moment. Maybe you’re there too. We have a major pandemic in the world limiting our freedom and safety and it’s caused some big changes in how we live today.
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10 Things You Should Pray in Times of Uncertainty
We’ve had to make all kinds of changes. Cancelled many of our plans. Staying put and limiting our interaction with people that we love—it’s hard. Or maybe you’re out every day working and it’s hard to stay safe.
All of the above is cause for anxious thoughts and a heightened feeling of “something is just not right.” But all these present uncertainties are not surprising to God. He knows all that’s coming, all the present and all the past.
Instead of fear and unrest, here are 10 things you should pray in times of uncertainty.
Pray the promises of God
There are so many promises that He has given us, so we can take His own Word and pray it back to Him. What does that do? His Word is power, and it floods through our mind into our very core, giving us understanding, wisdom and peace.
My favorite verse for this right now is Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Whatever may happen, God’s plan is for your good. He wants you to know that so that you can have hope for the future.
Pray for strength to endure
Paul knew what hardship was all about. He endured a long list of trials as a Christian. One thing in particular vexed him and he prayed several times for relief.
The Lord did not take away the “thorn in his flesh,” but instead taught him some valuable lessons. That when he was at his weakest, he would not be able to handle his situation on his own. He would need to trust the Lord and let Him provide all that he needed. That’s when he would be at his strongest.
Because it was not through his own strength that he could rise above, but through the Lord’s mighty strength.
2 Corinthians 12:8-10 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Pray for safety and protection from the enemy
The enemy is REAL! We’re told that he’s prowling around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour . . . (1 Peter 5:8).
We don’t need to cower in fear or hide, but we need to be prayerful and pray for the Lord’s mighty protection. He loves all His children and wants to protect us. Look at what He prayed for His disciples just before He was crucified:
John 17:15 My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.
Pray for God’s provision for your needs—spiritual, physical, emotional
I know it’s hard, but take those needs to the Lord in prayer, lay them at His feet, and let them go.
I’m a visual person, so I visualize myself with my burden in my hands. I see myself walking up to the Lord, kneeling down and laying my burden at His feet. I turn around and walk away with empty hands and a light heart because I know that He’s got it and I can let it go.
Philippians 4:19And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.
Pray for patience and peace in the waiting
As humans, we’re not inherently patient on our own. So, when your restless spirit tries to take over and fuss, take that as a cue to ask the Lord to calm the storm.
Isaiah 40:31 But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Pray for open eyes, mind, heart for all that you can learn
We always have the opportunity to shine the love of Christ in our circumstances or we can slog through and grumble. When I’ve been through tough times I can honestly say that’s when I’m the closest to the Lord and that’s when I hear Him and learn from Him best.
Take this time of uncertainty and pray for the Lord to share your burden and help you grow. Your burden will be lighter and when you’re on the other side of this uncertainty, and your heart will not be the same.
Matthew 11:29-30 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.
Pray for God to use you to help others
If you’re experiencing uncertainty and it’s troubling you, you can be assured that someone else is too. Take this opportunity to pray for those you know who have need. Pray for God’s provision, but even pray for ways that you can come alongside and help them.
Acts 4:32 All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had.
Pray for opportunities to encourage others
Even if you can’t gather together in person, we have never been more able to stay connected then right now! Let’s call, text, or video chat with someone who needs encouragement. I’ve found that listening to their need and then praying with them is the best thing you can do. Instead of saying, “I’ll be praying for you . . .” Pray right then! It’s a real heart changer when someone has done this for me!
Both asking God to use you to help others and praying for opportunities to encourage others have the side benefit of taking your mind off your own troubles to focus on helping someone else. We receive such a huge blessing when we give rather than receive.
Acts 2:42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
Pray for you to trust God’s plan even in the face of uncertainty
I’m reminded of some of the Biblical heroes when I think about trusting when things seem like they’re not going to turn out alright. Hebrews 11 is a great place to get the run-down in short order.
One thing we can be certain of, is that God keeps His promises and that He loves us and desires good things for us (remember Jeremian 29:11?)
Things may seem uncertain to us, but God knows every aspect of each and every one of our lives. He has all the puzzle pieces and knows how they all fit together perfectly for His good purpose. We don’t have to worry. Things are very certain and well planned out. We can rest in that knowledge and trust.
Psalm 62:8 Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him for God is our refuge.
Be consistent in prayer even when answers don’t come immediately
Just because we don’t get an immediate change in our circumstance or we immediately feel better doesn’t mean that God isn’t working on it! Keep praying. Continue to give thanks even in the midst of your circumstances and trust Him with the best outcome.
I’m reminded of the most recent job loss that my husband had. We had uprooted ourselves and moved hundreds of miles away from family and friends for a job opportunity just months before. And we had virtually no support network.
Times were sad and uncertain, but the Lord took me over and over to scriptures that built up my courage to trust Him more, and He filled my heart with peace in the process.
What started off looking bleak, ended in victory over fear and a new opportunity. Ultimately, this particular job loss ended up in my husband finding someting that he liked even better. We also learned some valuable faith lessons in the process.
1Thessalonians 5:16-18 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Use these scripture cards to enhance your quiet time. Get a more peaceful heart while you color a beautiful image and mediate on trust-building passages each day. 82 cards
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