There was such a positive response to our recent post, 5 Moments to Stop and Pray Today that we thought it would be fun to share another five moments to paye in your day. In that post, I talked about how one of the biggest reasons we say we can’t pray today is because we don’t have time or we’re just too busy. Moments in our day that seem fleeting can actually be the perfect time to stop and pray.
I have shared before that I battle with anxiety. It can be hard when your soul is reeling from anxiety or overwhelm to stop and put together cohesive words that express your heart. I wanted to think through moments like these, that instead of feeling like we can’t control our thoughts or situation, can actually be triggers to pray. These are simple prayers that you can screenshot or come back and find in this blog post if the moment arises and you want to pray but aren’t sure what to say.
All of these prayers can be found in my book Springboard Prayers, a book of 125 prayers for different places, times, emotions, circumstances and more. They include verses that are in the prayer as well as questions to keep the conversation going and a question to ask God at the end to give us a posture of listening as we finish praying. I’ve included what the actual prayer is called in the book and the page number to find it easily if you have a copy! The books also makes a perfect gift, so grab an extra copy or two in the shop!
Below are 5 prayers that you can borrow when you need to settle your soul any moment of the day.
When things are actually going good and that has you worried
We can reach out in the good moments too! Sometimes those can give us an unsettled feeling, anticipating when the shoe will drop. If things are good but you’re letting future troubles distract you from rejoicing and living in this moment, pray this prayer.
A PRAYER WHEN THINGS ARE EERILY GOOD – Father, life seems really good right now. And though I should be praising You and super grateful for all the little blessings in my life right now, I can’t help but worry about the next valley on the horizon. I tiptoe through good moments waiting for the other shoe to drop because I know life on earth will have troubles of many kinds*. Your Word tells me not to worry about tomorrow*. And Your Word tells me to think on whatever is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, and excellent*. Let me not take the bait of Satan to dwell on possible scenarios and vague troubles. You will equip me for those seasons and likely not before it is needed. Let me trust that You will never leave me or forsake me*. May I do an about-turn and walk out from here with joy and gratitude for this season of life, so that when hard times do eventually come, I didn’t miss a really sweet season worrying which has no potential to help the hard times anyway. In Jesus’ Name, amen.
* John 16:33 (NIV) – I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.
* Matthew 6:34 – Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
* Philippians 4:8-9 – Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
* Deuteronomy 31:6 (NIV) – Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.
WHERE TO GO FROM HERE:
– Share with the Lord all the blessings you are seeing in this season.
– Think about what you fear happening in the future and imagine yourself going through it with Jesus.
WHAT TO LISTEN FOR:
-Ask: Is there anything lovely happening now that I need to recognize?
When I get overwhelmed hearing about another tragedy around the world
As you read news stories, as friends tell you of a personal tragedy, this is a perfect time to go before the Lord and surrender the fears that come from living in a fallen world. Sometimes we can go about our day in our comfortable bubble and these tend to burst it. Instead of simply trying to return to the bubble, it can be a moment we reach out to God in desperation.
A PRAYER WHEN TRAGEDY STRIKES OUR WORLD – Father, I find myself gripped by fear at this most recent tragedy. It’s hard to not see this thing as bigger than You. I spiral into feelings of no control, and it’s hard to regain composure when it feels like everything is slipping underneath me*. My life is not built on sinking sand, but on You, my rock and redeemer*. As I’m tempted to fix my eyes on every nuance of this circumstance and read or watch every news story, I pray instead that my eyes would be fixed on You. That I would seek refuge in You*. Every time I do, I’m amazed at how Your size grows and how my troubles shrink. You were always the same, but my perspective is much more eternal. The troubles are still very real, but Lord, they can’t compare to the glory that is coming*. Without You and the promise of eternity, these things seem like the end of the world, but with You, I know we have an everlasting hope that the world cannot snuff out. In Jesus’ Name, amen.
* Psalm 46:1-2 – God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea.
* Matthew 7:24-25 – Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.
* Psalm 141:8 – But my eyes are toward you, O GOD, my Lord; in you I seek refuge; leave me not defenseless!
* Romans 8:18 – For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.
WHERE TO GO FROM HERE:
– Get really honest about the things that are worrying you about this tragedy.
– Find Scripture that reveals the eternal perspective on such things.
WHAT TO LISTEN FOR:
– Ask: You knew this was coming, Lord. Can You show me how You prepared us for this?
When I can’t hear myself think
Our world is extra noisy these days. Instead of succumbing to it and getting overwhelmed, we can seek God and ask Him to meet us in the chaos.
A PRAYER WHEN THE WORLD IS TOO NOISY – Father, I come to you craving quiet – craving space to hear You. I live in such a noisy place where the cares of the world choke me*. The noise feels inescapable sometimes, like its voice is louder and more dominant than Yours. I desperately envy when I read Scripture telling of Jesus going away to a quiet place. (As if Jesus had it easy!) Help me seek You, Lord, in everything I do. Help me to take decisive action to quiet the noise I can and make room so I can hear You even when You whisper*. Fill me with patience to wait on you, Lord*. I know it’s worth it! In the quiet is where my soul finds rest. In the quiet is where I have a chance to reflect and meditate on Your truth instead of continuing to buzz on to the next thing with no real thought. Let the stillness not startle me, but let it comfort me, so that I long for more moments alone with you. So let it be.
* Matthew 13:22 – As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful.
* 1 Kings 19:12 – And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper.
* Isaiah 40:31 – But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.
WHERE TO GO FROM HERE:
– Share with God how the noise makes you feel.
– Share with God your struggle with noises you can’t simply tune out and ask Him to help you in that.
WHAT TO LISTEN FOR:
– Our pastor recently shared that he has a different “trigger” each month that centers his heart on God. One month it was a bird to remind him of God’s provision. One month it was surveillance cameras to remind him that God always sees him. So ask: What in my everyday life can trigger me to think of you?
When I hear that someone I know is facing a health issue
Daily we are faced with stories of people who are suffering physically. These are opportunities to pray for someone and even with someone.
A PRAYER WHEN SOMEONE NEEDS HEALING – Father, it is torture to see someone I love suffering. Father, I cry out for Your help. I cry out to You, asking You to heal _________*. Admittedly, this is a prayer I’m unsure how You will answer because I know physical healing isn’t promised to us. But Lord, if it fits Your will, I pray mightily for healing. I pray for relief and moments where they get to see You so clearly and know they are not alone. You are our great comfort, and I ask for that comfort now to fall on _________. Hold nothing back. Let there be an overwhelming comfort and joy that can only testify to your presence in their life. I praise You, Father,* and thank You that we are so loved by You that we can even come to You with such needs. And not only that You love us to want our good, but You also are capable and powerful to heal. Knowing all this, I surrender the outcome and trust it to You, leaning not on my own understanding*. Give us eyes to see You in it. In Jesus’ Name, amen.
* Psalm 30:2 – O Lord my God, I cried to you for help, and you have healed me.
* Jeremiah 17:14 – Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved, for you are my praise.
* Proverbs 3:5-6 – Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
WHERE TO GO FROM HERE:
– Pray for specific needs (i.e. medicine to work, peace instead of anxiety, comfort in the pain, etc.)
– Share with the Lord your doubts or struggles to trust Him.
WHAT TO LISTEN FOR:
– Ask: How can You use me to let them know You care?
When my heart is hard toward another
It’s inevitable that we’ll find ourselves falling short of God’s perfect standard every day. Instead of trying to justify our sin or sit in sadness and shame, may these moments take us to the feet of our Father.
A PRAYER WHEN I HURT SOMEONE – Father, I come to you confessing the pain I’ve caused someone else. I’m mostly sorry, but truthfully, part of me wants to explain myself and even justify my behavior. But I know that you, Father, desire a broken and contrite heart*. You discipline the ones You love*. And because of that, I stand before You with no excuses, just ready to be loved and disciplined by You. Cleanse me, Father. I know You have forgiven me. Remove any pride that wants to convince me my actions were for a good reason. Purify me. Help me take seriously my actions, knowing it grieves the Holy Spirit*. And let me not swing in the other direction of unnecessarily wallowing in a guilt You never placed on me. The purpose of repentance is to turn from those sins, and I pray, Lord, that You’d set my feet on a new path. You are the One who restores. I pray You’d lead us to restoration. So let it be.
* Psalm 51:17 – The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
* Hebrews 12:6 – For the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.
* Ephesians 4:30-32 – And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
WHERE TO GO FROM HERE:
– Share with God how it happened and why.
– Share any feelings of ill will that instigated the circumstance and surrender them to the Lord.
WHAT TO LISTEN FOR:
– Ask: How do I need to reconcile this?
There you have it, friends. And this is barely scratching the surface! We can pray when our souls feel anxious, hurried, burdened, and overwhelmed. There is always time to stop and pray, especially when we don’t know where else to turn. Our Heavenly Father delights to hear from us, so let’s say ‘yes’ to every opportunity He gives us to meet with Him!
LEAVE A COMMENT and tell me: What moments in your day tend to trigger prayer for you?
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