Prayers to Strengthen Your Soul (eBook)

January 1

Strengthen My Spirit

I pray that out of his glorious riches he

may strengthen you with power

through his Spirit in your inner being.

EPHESIANS 3:16 NIV

Dear Lord,

The New Year is just starting, and I am already running on empty. I look at my list of things to accomplish, and I’m overwhelmed before I begin. Simple problems suddenly loom large, and nothing brings a quick solution. I become uncertain, doubtful, and weak. Before I know it, I’m moving in slow motion, practically standing still. That’s when I hear your voice saying, Stop everything and start again. Listen for my guidance and direction because I have a great plan for your life.

I love knowing you are with me wherever I am. I feel stronger when I am aware of my connection to you. It’s like the sun rises in my heart and soul. I know if I stay the course and listen for your voice, things will be fine. I depend so much on you.

Forgive me when I go on alone, forgetting my strength is in you. Help me pray continually until your faithfulness and mercy cover me. Only you know everything this day will bring. Amen.

What can you leave in the Lord’s hands today?

January 2

Power Source

The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being,

sustaining all things by his powerful word.

HEBREWS 1:3 NIV

Heavenly Father,

You are the only source of true power. You sustain us and provide for us with your kindness and love. You bring things into being with each spoken word, and you change the hearts of believers to follow you more directly.

We don’t always understand the things that go on around us, especially the evils that we witness in the world. We can’t fight those things because, in ourselves, we are powerless. We have no strength at all.

Recharge our drained souls, lighten our spirits, and renew our strength. We need to hear what you want for us. We praise you for helping us rise above our difficult circumstances. You are the reason we have hope. You are the one who radiates joy into our hearts. Your presence is all we need. Grant us renewal and strength as we listen for your voice. Help us tap into the source of your love and share it with everyone we meet. Amen.

How can God refresh your spirit and renew your heart and mind right now?

January 3

The Right Words

Hear my prayer, O God;

listen to the words of my mouth.

PSALM 54:2 NIV

Dear Lord,

Sometimes I stumble through my prayers. I don’t know how to share what I’m thinking. I don’t want to admit my failures or remind you of things that disappoint you. Often, I feel frustrated that I can’t fix my problems, and I worry because I helped cause them in the first place. I don’t have the right words to fix my brokenness.

I don’t always express my thoughts and feelings well, but I believe you receive my prayers with love. You listen for the intent and motivation of my spirit. You give me the confidence to talk with you anytime throughout the day.

I’m so grateful you don’t need me to fix things. You don’t ask me to take care of anything on my own. You simply ask me to pray and listen to you. I’m thankful you don’t depend on my words but only on the condition of my heart. Today, I bring all my broken pieces and place them humbly at your feet, seeking your forgiveness and your favor. Amen.

What would you like to lay at the Lord’s feet today?

January 4

Quiet the Voices

Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.

JAMES 1:19–20 NIV

Dear Jesus,

My heart is anxious. I’m frustrated at the way life is going. My inner turmoil grieves my spirit and weakens my resolve to find answers. It makes me feel disconnected from you, and on my own, I don’t make the best choices.

I need to hear your voice and let go of the noises inside my head. I need your advice and wise counsel for the steps to take from here. The adversary continually tries to make me feel unworthy of your help. His lies get louder and louder in my ears.

Help me draw near to you, waiting, listening, stopping everything until I feel your peace again. Quiet my soul. Help me move past all these thoughts that distract me and keep me stuck. You hear my troubled heart so I can move forward in joy. Thank you for your faithfulness to me. I’m ready to listen now. Amen.

What would help you hear God’s voice more clearly?

January 5

Wise Listening

Let the wise listen to these proverbs and become even wiser.

PROVERBS 1:5 NLT

Heavenly Father,

I appreciate that people I care about want to hear what I have to say. They listen to my thoughts and ideas and help me develop my plans to create new possibilities. They give me confidence in the steps I should take.

That’s what you do too. You give me assurance about the best ways to move forward. I realize how important it is for me to come to you in prayer, to quiet my spirit enough to hear your thoughts. You try so hard to talk to me and build our relationship. You listen for the things that matter most, and I’m grateful.

Proverbs says wise people listen. When they listen, they become even wiser. That’s what I want too. I want to grow in the kind of wisdom that strengthens my heart and mind. I want to follow you more intentionally. Forgive me when I am too impatient to wait for you to speak. Give me a heart that is truly willing to listen for your voice. Amen.

What would you most like to hear from God now?

January 6

Deaf Ears

Though seeing, they do not see;

though hearing, they do not hear or understand.

MATTHEW 13:13 NIV

Dear Jesus,

When I read this verse from Matthew, I wonder how often I am like those listeners who were with Jesus every day but didn’t see him for who he really was or hear the deeper meaning of his words. They resisted knowing him and missed what he wanted them to understand. Even when he explained the parables he told, his followers couldn’t read between the lines. They didn’t perceive what he meant.

I confess to being deaf to things I don’t want to hear. I can also be blind to things I stubbornly choose to ignore. Sometimes I refuse to take your direction to heart, missing the little changes that could truly make a difference in my life.

I pray to hear you with my whole heart so I know more about you. Help me understand you in ways that strengthen my spirit, recognize the intention of your words, and cause me to try harder to follow you. I give you the glory today and always. Amen.

What one thing would you like to understand more clearly about Jesus?

January 7

Guiding Wisdom

GOD, teach me lessons for living so I can stay the course. Give me insight so I can do what you tell me.

PSALM 119:33–40 MSG

Dear Lord,

I like to think that I search for clues to your guiding wisdom so that I stay the course or continue along my path, but I know it isn’t always true. It’s embarrassing to admit that I am more willing to stumble through life than to turn and seek your face. Sometimes I don’t even know I’ve gotten off the track until it’s too late.

Teach me to follow you more closely so that I recognize your hand at work in my life, ever guiding my steps. My heart is an open book, and I ask you to help me write it. Guide my heart so that I respond obediently, gratefully, and humbly. Help me be more of what you desire and less of what others expect of me. You have all the lessons for living that I truly need. I surrender my life to your care. Please lead the way. Amen.

What one insight from God would help you stay the course today?

January 8

Being Happy

My people will live in peaceful places and in safe homes and in calm places of rest.

ISAIAH 32:18 NCV

Father God,

Most of us struggle with the idea of being happy. We feel momentary gladness but are overcome with desperate sadness as we face our current reality. We hope for better tomorrows but are discouraged by the uncertainties of the future. We seldom have a true sense of peace.

Lord, perhaps we struggle with happiness because we don’t seek it in you. We don’t count our blessings or the things you do to sustain us emotionally and physically every day. In your presence, we know we are not facing the world alone. Speak to us in Scripture, bringing a specific verse to our minds that comforts our souls.

Be with your people throughout the world. Remind them they can be happy when they cling to you because you guard them and guide them. Keep them safe and give them peace of mind. Bless those who call on your name, trusting and believing in your steadfast love and faithfulness. Let them be happy in you. Amen.

What is disturbing your peace or happiness today?

January 9

Measure My Words

Continue teaching these things, warning people in God’s presence not to argue about words. It does not help anyone, and it ruins those who listen.

2 TIMOTHY 2:14 NCV

Dear Lord,

I can hardly measure the impact of words. You spoke the world into existence, and you have been speaking to...