Feeling unworthy, not good enough, and undeserving, whether before God or before someone you love, is a terrible feeling and state of self to be in. No one desires to feel unworthy, but it happens to many people. And there are many reasons why people may feel unworthy, from low self-esteem to being neglected, abused, and abandoned at home since childhood. A sense of unworthiness arises when one is faced with a situation that triggers a memory of the traumatic experience.
As you are here looking for a prayer for when you feel unworthy, know that you are so precious to God. You are His valuable child, who’s been bought with a high price—the blood of His only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ. Romans 5:8 says, “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” In the same way, 1 John 3:1 says, “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God…” Here is a prayer:
Heavenly Father, I surrender unto You this feeling of unworthiness and the thoughts that support it. I cast down all imaginations and take them captive to the obedience of Christ Jesus. I thank You, for You counted me worthy to die for. Through the death of Jesus Christ on the cross, You bestowed upon me to be called a child of God. I am loved, I belong, and I am highly valued by You in Jesus’ name. Amen.
A Prayer For When You Feel Unworthy
Every time you feel unworthy, these feelings are motivated by the thoughts in your mind. Every time the enemy feeds you with lies, and you entertain them, it results in negative feelings, including a sense of unworthiness. After all, the enemy seeks nothing but to steal, kill and destroy (see John 10:10). It is the enemy’s job to lie to people and cause confusion, self-worth issues, and insecurity.
We have seen the devil’s work since the beginning; it goes back to the time of Adam and Eve in the Book of Genesis. Let us learn from what happened in Genesis:
Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman, “Has God indeed said, ‘You shall not eat of every tree of the garden?” And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden; but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, ‘You shall not eat it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die.’” Then the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” — Genesis 3:1-5 (NKJV)
From the scripture above, you can read how the enemy put doubt into Eve by questioning God’s Word, saying, “Has God indeed said?” When the woman replied to stand her ground concerning what God had said, the enemy then twisted what God had said and made her believe in the lie that she is nothing like God, when the truth is that God created man according to his image and likeness. “You will not surely die. For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” When Eve believed in the lie, she ate the forbidden fruit along with Adam, and sin was born within them.
You must be aware that this serpent, the spiritual enemy, is still here today looking for someone to destroy, fool, and cause to sin and be separated from God and the truths of His Word. The Apostle Peter said, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” (1 Peter 5:8)
What to do when you feel unworthy
As you are here searching for a prayer against feeling unworthy, you’ve already made a great step in overcoming it! As you dive in more deeply for the truths of God, you will soon easily detect the voice of lies from the voice of truth, which will really help your self-esteem, sense of worth, and value in Christ Jesus.
Know that feeling unworthy doesn’t simply come out of the blue; it begins with a thought. You may be happy one moment before the enemy comes to attack you by surprise as you face a challenging person or a situation, and suddenly negative thoughts begin to invade your mind, followed by negative voices giving birth to negative feelings such as feeling unworthy. The question is, will you believe in those thoughts or in the Word of God?
1. Cast down thoughts and imaginations that make you feel unworthy.
When you feel unworthy before God or before someone else, take those negative thoughts and feelings captive first to the obedience of Christ through prayer. The Holy Spirit prompts you and makes you realize the lie of the enemy, just as what we did in our prayer from the above discussion. 2 Corinthians 10:5 says, “Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ….”
2. Pray with authority in Christ Jesus.
Jesus said in Luke 10:19, “Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” You can pray in this manner: “In Jesus’ name, I rebuke these thoughts of lies from the enemy! I am worthy before God, for He gave His only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ, for my sake, and I am a child of God in Christ Jesus!” When you pray with authority against feeling unworthiness, you will be empowered by the truths of God and His Holy Spirit as you declare who you are in Christ Jesus.
3. Read and meditate on God’s Word consistently every day.
One of the most powerful and effective ways to overcome feeling unworthy and believing in the negative voices in your head is by filling your mind with the Word of God. Hebrews 4:12 says, “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Reading God’s Word exposes every lie the enemy is throwing at you. And only by filling your mind with the truths of God every day can you easily expose the enemy’s lies and act against them by declaring God’s Word. If God counted you worthy to die for when Jesus Christ died on the cross as a demonstration of His love, declare it when you feel unworthy!
4. Share your struggle with a trusted spiritual leader, pastor, or godly friend.
It is important that you don’t isolate yourself when you are struggling with your worth and value. Don’t take on the feelings of unworthiness all by yourself. Share your problem with a trusted godly friend, spiritual leader, or pastor with whom you are comfortable sharing your issues so that they can pray for you. James 5:16 says. “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” Don’t think that sharing your problem will burden others. After all, we are all called to share each other’s burdens because God wants us to live like a family in His Kingdom, accountable to each other and watching each other’s back. Galatians 6:2 says, “Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”
5. Worship the Living God by listening to praise and worship songs and singing unto the Lord.
When you feel unworthy, and the enemy is attacking you with thoughts that make you feel those negative emotions, ignore those feelings and start praising and worshiping God. Listen to a worship song and sing along with it. Sing a song of love unto the Lord and declare His majesty in worship and praise. This can really confuse the enemy as they are not all-knowing as God is. Take a look at 2 Chronicles 20:22, which tells of when God’s people shouted their praises and thanksgiving unto the LORD, and the Lord set ambushes to the Ammonites, Moabites, and inhabitants of Mount Seir that came against Judah. And the enemy was defeated. The enemy doesn’t know what you are actually thinking and feeling except when you speak the words with your mouth and show them with your actions. So, praising and worshiping God when the enemy is attacking you with lies will really send out confusion to the enemy’s camp, and they will leave you alone.
You can also check these articles that may help you pray for your struggle and give you some insights that may be helpful to you:
What Bible verses can I pray when I feel unworthy?
As we have discussed, reading God’s Word is a powerful weapon against the lies of the enemy when you’re feeling unworthy and are having negative emotions. Here are some Bible verses that you can meditate on and pray in thanksgiving to God about who you truly are in Christ Jesus:
1. John 3:16
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
John 3:16 is a great reminder of how much God loves you when He sent His only Begotten Son Jesus Christ into the world. Whenever you feel unworthy, just remember that the King of kings once gave up heaven to come down to earth so He could rescue you and be with you for eternity.
Abba Father, thank You for sending Your only Son, Jesus Christ, into the world for my sake. You love me and chose to give up Your most precious Son so that He may rescue me from my sins and be restored into Your presence. Thank You for everlasting life through Christ Jesus. Amen.
A Prayer For When You Feel Unworthy
A Prayer For When You Feel Unworthy
2. Romans 8:35, 37-39
“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?”
“Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Romans 8:35,37-39 is a powerful promise that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. When you feel unworthy, not even your feelings can separate you from God’s love because what Jesus Christ did on the cross is so powerful. You are declared a champion before the race even began, and this brought the enemy to its defeat.
Heavenly Father, thank You that nothing can ever separate me from Your love through Jesus Christ. I am convinced that feelings come and go, but the truth remains, and the truth is that I am Your most beloved child whom You gave to Jesus Christ to save, rescue, and redeem. And I am Yours forevermore in Jesus’ name. Amen.
A Prayer For When You Feel Unworthy
3. Ephesians 2:4-7
“But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.”
Ephesians 2:4-7 is a great reminder of how much God loves you even when you are still a sinner, a person ignorant of God’s truth and about Christ Jesus. Because of His great love, He saved you by grace, gave you a new life in Christ Jesus, made you sit together with Christ in the heavenly realm, and showed you the incredible wealth of His grace and kindness in Christ Jesus.
Heavenly Father, thank You so much for Your great love for me. I am worthy to be saved and given a new life in Christ Jesus, and I may sit together with Him in the heavenly realm. Because of Your incredible grace and kindness, I am so alive in Christ Jesus and forever thankful to You in Jesus’ name. Amen.
A Prayer For When You Feel Unworthy
4. Ephesians 3:18-19
“May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.”
Ephesians 3:18-19 is the Apostle Paul’s prayer to the Church in Ephesus that they would be able to comprehend how truly great God’s love through Christ is for them and that they may be filled with the fullness of God. This is for you too, as God’s beloved child. God’s love for you is so great that not even the whole world can equate its measures. And may you be so filled with it and God’s love for you that you will never feel unworthy again.
Abba Father, when I think about how great Your love for me is, I know that it’s always greater than my imaginations. Not even the highest skies or the deepest sea can equal how much You love and value me. Thank You for Who You are and for truly valuing and loving me in Jesus’ name. Amen.
A Prayer For When You Feel Unworthy
A Prayer For When You Feel Unworthy
5. Psalm 5:11-12
“But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee. For thou, Lord, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield.”
Psalm 5:11-12 makes a great prayer of declaration and meditation as it reminds you of God’s promises for those who trust in Him. He will defend you from the lies and attacks of the enemy; He will bless you, favor you, and be your shield—such an amazing God Who truly cherishes you and protects you.
Heavenly Father, thank You for being my defender and protector. I rejoice and shout with joy in my heart because I trust in You Who is faithful in all Your ways. Thank You for blessing me and favoring me and for being my great Shield in this life. For I am highly valued, cherished, and loved by You in Jesus’ name. Amen.
A Prayer For When You Feel Unworthy
6. 1 John 4:9-10
“In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.”
1 John 4:9-10 makes a great prayer and meditation of God’s great love. God sent His Son Jesus Christ into the world so that those who are lifeless may live through Him. True love is not about us loving God but about Him, Who loved us first through His Son Jesus Christ. Whenever you feel unworthy, think of God sending His Son Jesus Christ so that you may have life in Him and become a person full of love because God loved you first through Christ.
Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Your Son, Jesus Christ, to the world so that I may live and have life through Him. Thank You that love is not about me but it is about You and the things You have done through Christ for my sake. I am truly valuable and so loved in Jesus’ name. Amen.
A Prayer For When You Feel Unworthy
As you read the Bible with the help and guidance of the Holy Spirit, He will show you more scriptures that will personally minister to you, empower you, correct your way of thinking, and bless you immensely. Simply continue to yield to God and His Word at all times—not just when you feel unworthy, but all the time. That way, you are always prepared and ready for the day of battle, like a spiritual warrior who is prepared and alert for the adversaries’ attacks.
Ephesians 6:11-13 says, “Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”
God bless you, and may the Holy Spirit empower your inner man in Christ Jesus as you dive deep into His Word.