Benedict HarperDifficult times can drain a person quietly. Sometimes it is not one big event. It is many small pressures stacked together. You wake up tired, you try to stay strong, and yet your heart still feels heavy.
The good news is that God welcomes the weary. He does not shame people for struggling. He invites us to come near, to speak honestly, and to receive strength we do not have on our own.
This post is written to help you pray in a simple and steady way. You will find 28 prayers for encouragement and strength. Each prayer begins with exactly two call words, and each prayer has one Scripture (KJV) placed below it. You can pray one prayer each day for 28 days, or choose the ones that fit your need right now.
What the Bible says about encouragement and strength
Encouragement in the Bible is not pretending everything is fine. It is God lifting the heart so you can keep going. Strength in the Bible is not pride. It is God supporting the weak so they do not collapse under the weight of life.
Encouragement is God lifting the heart
When you are discouraged, God often comforts you first. He steadies your thoughts, quiets fear, and helps you breathe again. Encouragement can look like peace returning, hope rising, and courage coming back in small steps.
Strength is God helping you endure
Sometimes God removes a burden quickly. Other times He strengthens you to carry it without breaking. The strength God gives is often daily strength. It may not be loud or dramatic, but it is real. It helps you do the next right thing, even when you feel weak.
The difference between encouragement and strength
Encouragement supports the heart. It helps you not give up inside.
Strength supports your actions. It helps you keep moving forward.
Many times you need both. You need God to lift your spirit and also steady your steps.
How to use these prayers
You don’t have to pray all 28 at once. Simple is better.
Choose prayers by your need
If you are dealing with fear, choose a prayer for anxiety. If you are grieving, choose a prayer for sorrow. If you are exhausted, choose a prayer for strength and rest.
When you feel too tired to pray
On some days, even prayer can feel hard. When that happens, do this:
- pray one short sentence to God
- read the one Scripture slowly
- sit quietly for a moment
God still hears you.
28 prayers for encouragement and strength
Below are 28 Powerful Prayers for Encouragement and Strength to Overcome Difficulties with Scripture placed directly below it.
Prayers when you feel discouraged and emotionally low
1. Prayer when your heart feels heavy
Gracious God,
my heart feels heavy today, and I feel worn down inside.
Some things I cannot explain well, but You already know.
Please lift the weight I have been carrying.
Give me comfort that is real, not temporary.
Help me breathe again and think clearly.
Put hope back in me, even if it starts small.
Strengthen me to take the next step without fear.
Amen.
Scripture (KJV):
“Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God.” (Psalm 42:11).
2. Prayer when you feel forgotten
Holy God,
sometimes I feel unseen and forgotten.
It feels like my prayers are not changing anything.
Please remind me that You are near, even in silence.
Strengthen my faith when my feelings are weak.
Help me trust Your love when I cannot understand this season.
Hold me steady so I do not give up.
Let me rest in the truth that You still remember me.
Amen.
Scripture (KJV):
“Can a woman forget her sucking child… yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee.” (Isaiah 49:15).
3. Prayer for hope when you feel stuck
Mighty God,
I feel stuck and unsure about what comes next.
This season feels slow, and my heart feels tired of waiting.
Please guide me with clear direction.
Open my eyes to the next step You want me to take.
Help me not to compare my life with others.
Give me hope that You are still working, even now.
Strengthen me to keep going with patience and trust.
Amen.
Scripture (KJV):
“Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart.” (Psalm 27:14).
4. Prayer when you feel ashamed or regretful
Dear Lord,
I carry regret about things I have said and done.
Sometimes shame makes me feel unworthy to come near You.
Please forgive me and cleanse my heart.
Help me accept Your mercy without arguing with it.
Teach me what to change, and give me strength to change it.
Help me learn from the past without being trapped by it.
Lead me forward with a clean conscience and a steady spirit.
Amen.
Scripture (KJV):
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins.” (1 John 1:9).
5. Prayer when you feel lonely
Gracious God,
I feel lonely, even when people are around me.
My heart feels quiet and tired, and I miss real comfort.
Please meet me in this lonely place.
Help me know You are with me and You see me fully.
Bring the right support into my life in the right way.
Teach me not to harden my heart because of loneliness.
Fill my empty places with Your peace and Your presence.
Amen.
Scripture (KJV):
“I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.” (John 14:18).
Prayers for when you feel weak, tired, or overwhelmed
6. Prayer for strength to get through today
God Almighty,
I need strength for today, not just for later.
I feel weak and stretched, and I do not have enough energy for everything.
Please strengthen my body, my mind, and my spirit.
Help me face what is in front of me with calm and courage.
Give me wisdom to do what matters most first.
Carry me when I feel like I cannot carry myself.
Keep fear from ruling my heart as I move through this day.
Amen.
Scripture (KJV):
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1).
7. Prayer for rest when you are worn down
Lord Jesus,
I am worn down, and I feel tired in my bones.
My mind feels crowded, and my heart feels drained.
Please give me rest that reaches deep.
Quiet my thoughts and calm my emotions.
Help me sleep well and wake with renewed strength.
Teach me to lay my burdens down instead of holding them all night.
Let Your peace cover me and keep me safe as I rest.
Amen.
Scripture (KJV):
“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28).
8. Prayer for grace when you cannot do everything
Gracious God,
I feel overwhelmed by responsibilities and expectations.
I cannot do everything, and I feel the pressure of it.
Please give me grace for what I can do today.
Help me release what is not mine to carry.
Give me wisdom to set healthy limits without guilt.
Teach me to take one step at a time without panic.
Strengthen me to do what is right with peace in my heart.
Amen.
Scripture (KJV):
“My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9).
9. Prayer for endurance under pressure
Mighty God,
pressure is weighing on me, and I feel close to giving up.
My mind feels tired, and my heart feels stretched.
Please give me endurance to keep going.
Strengthen me to stay steady when stress is loud.
Help me not to break down inside while I try to look strong outside.
Teach me to trust You through the process, not only at the end.
Renew my strength as I wait on You.
Amen.
Scripture (KJV):
“But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength.” (Isaiah 40:31).
10. Prayer for discipline to keep going
Dear Lord,
help me not to quit too soon.
Give me discipline when motivation is low and my feelings change.
Help me keep doing what is right, even when it feels slow.
Strengthen my will and guide my choices.
Teach me to be faithful in small steps each day.
Help me finish what I start with a calm and steady mind.
Keep me from discouragement and teach me to trust the harvest in Your time.
Amen.
Scripture (KJV):
“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” (Galatians 6:9).
Prayers for when fear and anxiety are loud
11. Prayer when anxiety rises at night
Holy God,
nighttime anxiety keeps rising in me, and it feels hard to rest.
My thoughts run ahead, and my heart feels unsettled.
Please quiet my mind and calm my spirit.
Help me release the fears I keep replaying.
Let Your peace cover my room and my thoughts.
Help me feel safe in Your care, even in the dark hours.
Give me rest without fear, and sleep that restores me.
Amen.
Scripture (KJV):
“I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety.” (Psalm 4:8).
12. Prayer for courage in uncertain times
God Almighty,
I feel uncertain about the future, and fear tries to lead me.
I do not want anxiety to control my choices.
Please give me courage to face what is ahead.
Help me trust You step by step, even when I do not see far.
Strengthen my heart and steady my mind.
Guide me toward wise decisions, not rushed ones.
Remind me that You are with me wherever I go.
Amen.
Scripture (KJV):
“Be strong and of a good courage… for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.” (Joshua 1:9).
13. Prayer for peace in the mind
Gracious God,
my mind feels crowded and unsettled.
Please bring peace to my thoughts and calm to my heart.
Help me stop replaying worst-case fears.
Teach me to focus on what is true and right.
Give me strength to release what I cannot control.
Guard my mind from confusion and heavy thinking.
Let Your peace keep me steady through Christ Jesus.
Amen.
Scripture (KJV):
“And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:7).
14. Prayer when bad news makes you afraid
Mighty God,
bad news has shaken me, and fear is rising in my heart.
I feel unsure, and my thoughts feel scattered.
Please hold me steady in this moment.
Help me not to be driven by panic or despair.
Give me wisdom for the next step, and peace while I wait.
Strengthen me to trust You even when I feel afraid.
Remind me that You are still God over this situation.
Amen.
Scripture (KJV):
“When I am afraid, I will trust in thee.” (Psalm 56:3).
Prayers for when you are facing pain, sickness, or grief
15. Prayer for strength in sickness
Lord Jesus,
my body feels weak, and this sickness is wearing me down.
Some days I feel hopeful, and other days I feel tired and afraid.
Please strengthen me in my weakness.
Give me grace for the pain and patience for the process.
Help me not to sink into fear or despair.
Touch my body with healing, and touch my heart with peace.
Help me rest well and recover what has been drained.
Amen.
Scripture (KJV):
“He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.” (Isaiah 40:29).
16. Prayer for encouragement while waiting for healing
Gracious God,
waiting can feel long and discouraging.
I have prayed, and I am still waiting.
Please encourage my heart while I wait for healing.
Help me trust You even when I do not see quick change.
Give me faith for today and strength for tomorrow.
Keep my mind from hopeless thoughts.
Let Your comfort stay close to me in this season.
Amen.
Scripture (KJV):
“Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord.” (Psalm 31:24).
17. Prayer for comfort in grief
Holy God,
my heart is grieving, and I feel the emptiness.
Some moments feel heavy, and I do not know what to say.
Please comfort me in my sorrow.
Hold me when tears come and when words fail.
Help me remember that You are near the brokenhearted.
Give me peace that does not ignore the pain.
Carry me through this loss one day at a time.
Amen.
Scripture (KJV):
“The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart.” (Psalm 34:18).
18. Prayer when you are tired of crying
Dear Lord,
I feel tired of crying and tired of being strong.
My heart feels worn, and my thoughts feel heavy.
Please wipe my tears and give me comfort.
Help me not to lose hope in this painful season.
Give me strength to rise again when I feel like staying down.
Renew my spirit and steady my emotions.
Let joy return in Your time, and keep me until then.
Amen.
Scripture (KJV):
“Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.” (Psalm 30:5).
Prayers for for when life problems feel too big (money, work, family)
19. Prayer for strength during financial stress
God Almighty,
financial pressure is weighing on me, and it is affecting my peace.
I feel the stress of bills, needs, and responsibilities.
Please provide what I need and guide me with wisdom.
Help me make wise choices and avoid fearful decisions.
Open doors for honest provision and steady support.
Calm my heart when money worries rise.
Teach me to trust You and take the next right step.
Amen.
Scripture (KJV):
“My God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19).
20. Prayer for encouragement at work
Mighty God,
work has been difficult, and my heart feels discouraged.
Sometimes I feel unseen, unappreciated, or overwhelmed.
Please encourage me and give me strength to do my work well.
Help me keep a good spirit even when things are not easy.
Give me wisdom in my tasks and peace in my mind.
Guide my steps and bless my efforts.
Let my work be done with integrity and patience.
Amen.
Scripture (KJV):
“And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.” (Colossians 3:23).
21. Prayer for strength when responsibilities are heavy
Gracious God,
I feel weighed down by responsibilities.
There is so much to handle, and I feel stretched thin.
Please strengthen me and order my steps.
Help me do what matters most first.
Teach me to say no to what drains me and yes to what is right.
Give me wisdom to manage my time and energy.
Carry me when I feel like I cannot carry everything alone.
Amen.
Scripture (KJV):
“Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee.” (Psalm 55:22).
22. Prayer for peace and patience in family tension
Holy God,
tension in my family has been troubling my heart.
Words have been sharp, and peace has been hard to keep.
Please give me patience and wisdom in how I respond.
Help me speak gently and listen with understanding.
Heal what is broken and calm what is angry.
Teach us to respect one another and choose peace.
Give me strength to do what is right even when others are difficult.
Amen.
Scripture (KJV):
“And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.” (James 3:18).
Prayers for when you feel spiritually dry or under attack
23. Prayer when your faith feels small
Lord Jesus,
my faith feels small, and my heart feels tired.
I want to trust You, but fear and doubt keep rising.
Please strengthen my faith again.
Help me remember what You have done before.
Give me courage to believe You in this season.
Teach me to keep praying even when I feel weak.
Hold me steady and bring me back to hope.
Amen.
Scripture (KJV):
“Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.” (Mark 9:24).
24. Prayer for strength to resist temptation
Gracious God,
temptation has been strong, and I do not want to fall.
I feel the pull toward what is wrong, and I need Your help.
Please strengthen me to say no and walk away.
Give me a clean heart and a steady mind.
Help me choose what honors You, even when it is hard.
Provide a way of escape, and give me courage to take it.
Amen.
Scripture (KJV):
“There hath no temptation taken you… but God is faithful… will with the temptation also make a way to escape.” (1 Corinthians 10:13).
25. Prayer when you feel far from God
Dear Lord,
I feel far from You, and I miss closeness with You.
My heart feels dry, and my prayers feel weak.
Please draw me back to You.
Forgive me where I have drifted.
Wake up my love for Your presence again.
Help me return with humility and trust.
Let Your mercy meet me where I am right now.
Amen.
Scripture (KJV):
“Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you.” (James 4:8).
26. Prayer for boldness to obey God
Mighty God,
I want to obey You, but fear has been holding me back.
Give me boldness to do what is right.
Help me not to delay what You have placed on my heart.
Strengthen me to stand firm, even when it is uncomfortable.
Give me courage to speak truth with love and live faithfully.
Let obedience become easier as I trust You more.
Amen.
Scripture (KJV):
“Be strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law.” (Joshua 1:7).
Prayers for finishing strong and staying hopeful
27. Prayer for renewed hope and fresh joy
Gracious God,
I need renewed hope and fresh joy.
I have been carrying heaviness, and it has drained my spirit.
Please restore what has been lost inside of me.
Help me notice Your goodness again.
Fill my heart with steady hope, not temporary excitement.
Teach me to rejoice in You even when life is still hard.
Let joy return in a clean and gentle way.
Amen.
Scripture (KJV):
“Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy.” (Psalm 16:11).
28. Prayer of gratitude for God’s help in difficult times
Holy God,
thank You for helping me through difficult times.
Even when I felt weak, You did not leave me.
Thank You for the strength You have given, little by little.
Thank You for the peace You have placed in my heart.
Help me remember Your faithfulness and not forget Your goodness.
Teach me to trust You in the next season too.
Let gratitude keep my heart soft and full of praise.
Amen.
Scripture (KJV):
“O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.” (Psalm 136:1).
Wrapping Up
If you are going through a hard season, you are not alone. God sees you. He knows what is heavy. He knows what you cannot explain to others. And He is able to strengthen you.
You do not need perfect words to pray. Start with one prayer from this list today. Read the Scripture below it slowly. Then come back tomorrow and pray again. Small, steady prayer builds a steady heart.
If you want, save this page and use it as a 28-day journey. You can also pray these prayers for someone you love who is struggling. God can encourage a tired heart and strengthen a weary life, one day at a time.
FAQs
What is a good prayer for encouragement and strength (KJV)?
A good prayer for encouragement and strength is a prayer that tells God the truth about how you feel and asks Him to lift you up. If you need something simple, start with Prayer 6 for strength to get through today, or Prayer 1 when your heart feels heavy.
What Bible verse is best for encouragement and strength?
Many verses help, but Isaiah 40:31 is one of the clearest: it reminds us that those who wait on the Lord will renew their strength. If you are anxious, Philippians 4:7 is also a comforting verse.
How do I pray when I feel discouraged every day?
Pray small prayers daily. Choose one prayer from the list and pray it slowly. Then read the Scripture beneath it twice. If you can only pray one sentence, do that. The goal is not length. The goal is returning to God again and again.
Can I pray these prayers for someone else?
Yes. You can pray these prayers for your spouse, a child, a friend, or anyone who is struggling. Simply mention their name as you pray, and ask God to strengthen and encourage them.
How long should I pray for strength in difficult times?
There is no fixed time. Some answers come quickly, and some strength comes day by day. Keep praying as long as you need help. God does not get tired of you coming to Him.
Does God promise strength when I feel weak?
Yes. Scripture says God gives power to the faint and increases strength to those who have no might (Isaiah 40:29). When you feel weak, you are in a place where God’s help becomes very real.
ADMIN H
Benedict Harper
ChristWin Editorial Ministry
Rebecca Collins