A Good Prayer When Feeling Disposable

One of life’s most unpleasant feelings is when we feel disposable to others. When others show us with their actions that we are expendable to them, it cuts deep in our hearts. We end up questioning our self-worth, value, and identity. When we feel this way, it is even more crucial for us to seek refuge, cling to God’s Word (Psalm 119:25 My soul cleaveth unto the dust: Quicken thou me according to thy word.), and know the truth of our value and who we are.

Heavenly Father, when other people’s actions cause me to think that I am disposable, protect me from the lies of the enemy. Renew my mind with Your truth and what You say about who I am. In Jesus name, I pray. Amen.

Gentle Reminder

There are many circumstances in which a person may develop a habit of thinking he is disposable. It could be that, in a series of relationships, despite the effort to be a faithful friend and work on his flaws by God’s grace, perhaps he made one or two mistakes that left him alone and abandoned. It could also be that he was treated by others as insignificant and invisible his whole life. Many people question their worth when they are easily disposed of, even after all they’ve been through in their relationship with someone special—this is an incredibly painful experience.

Whatever experiences may lead a person to think that they are disposable, there are gentle reminders we must recall. One is that our value and worth do not depend on how others treat us. Take a hundred-dollar bill, for example. When we take a hundred-dollar bill from our wallet, it has value, and we can use it to buy something. But even if we take such a hundred-dollar bill, put it on the floor, and step on it, people will still jump at the chance to take the bill if we offer it to them. Why? It is because, even when thrown on the floor and stepped on, the bill’s value never changes. The point is that how we are treated does not define our worth or value—just because you are treated as disposable does not mean you are.

The Scriptures are the best place to go when we feel tossed aside. They tell us about who we are, our worth, value, and identity. It is written in Isaiah 43:4: “Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life.”

The passage is clear. You are precious and irreplaceable in God’s sight. He loves you. In Christ, the love that we receive is the same love that the Father gives to the Son. Indeed, the fact that the Father sent and sacrificed His Son for our sins so that in His Son, we may have life and be adopted as God’s sons and daughters (Ephesians 1:5) shows that we are not disposable.

Psalm 139:14 says: “I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.”

The value of something is determined by its creator. If an artist makes a drawing and leaves it next to the dumpster rather than trying to sell it to others, surely no one will buy it. It wouldn’t even be surprising if it ended up in the trash. However, if a famous artist creates a piece of art, its value is very high. The same applies to us as God’s children; we are valuable and indispensable because God wonderfully and fearfully created us.

Matthew 10:29–31 says: “Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? And one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.”

God sustains the sparrows; it is an argument of the lesser to the greater. If God sustains and provides for the sparrow, how much more does he do for us? We are of much greater value than the sparrows to God.

Pray When You Feel Disposable

When you notice yourself feeling disposable, it is essential to remember your value according to the Scriptures. Next, it’s a good idea to remind yourself in prayer of the passages that tell how valuable you are in the eyes of God. In prayer, you can both be honest with God and vulnerable to Him. Talk about your emotions, thoughts, and the experiences that made you think that you are disposable. Also, you can confess what the Scripture says about your value and love.

Heavenly Father, I have repeatedly experienced being disposed of by people. Despite my efforts to address my flaws and be a good friend to them, I am abandoned and distanced from them with just a few mistakes. I feel I am disposable and worth throwing away once I make a mistake. But LORD, you said in Your word that I am precious in Your sight. It matters not how others perceive me and how they treat me. How you value and see me matters more. I am Your Child, secured, affirmed, and loved in Christ. Oh, how wonderful. How many are your thoughts about me? In Jesus name, I pray. Amen.

In Psalm 91:14, it is written that God knows our names. God who is the Most High God, transcendent, imminent, immutable, holy, the highest thereof, chief, supreme, full of majesty and splendor, whose robe covers the entire throne, remembers your name. He has not forgotten you amidst the billions of people in this world. You are not disposable—you are cherished and irreplaceable.