Everyone has struggles in life, including Christians. Even young children may struggle in their attempts to make friends, in communicating their thoughts and feelings, in their health, etc. People of all ages, genders, and races may struggle with emotional and mental problems, with wise decision-making, controlling their thoughts and emotions, in relating to others, and so many other areas. You may be able to think of even deeper struggles as you are here looking for a prayer for struggling.
The Bible is clear that our struggles are not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, and against spiritual wickedness in high places (see Ephesians 6:12). Whatever you may be struggling with, know that you are already victorious in Christ Jesus! Here is a prayer to declare your victory:
In Jesus’ name, I am more than a conqueror through Christ who loves me! Whatever I am struggling with, it is nothing compared to the glory that God is about to reveal! I receive my victory in Christ and declare the defeat of Satan! Amen.
A Prayer for Struggling
Everyone can relate when a person talks about struggles. Struggles are part of the human experience, not because it is God’s will for mankind to struggle, but because it is the consequence of the sin birthed in the Garden of Eden. When the serpent tempted Eve, and both she and Adam ate of the forbidden fruit, their eyes were opened to good and evil (see Genesis 3 for the whole story).
That is why God sent His only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to overcome the world and redeem us from the power of sin and darkness in our lives. 1 John 3:8 says, “He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose, the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.” He also gave us power and authority against the work of evil so that we may overcome it in His name.
As you can observe from the prayer above, you shouldn’t beg God when you’re struggling; instead, declare who you truly are in Christ Jesus, according to His Word, and command the works of evil to leave your life.
Whether you are struggling with lust, pornography, addiction, rejection, abandonment, self-centeredness, pride, anger, offenses, bitterness, or anything else, know that Jesus Christ came to destroy these struggles in your life and that you have His authority to overcome these things.
More than anything, God wants you to have peace of mind and heart and be fully secured in who you are in Christ as His valuable child and Bride of Christ. Jesus promised in John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” You are an overcomer and a victor in Christ Jesus’ name; as Romans 8:37 says, “Nay, in all these things, we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.”
What to do when you’re struggling?
While struggling is a part of life’s journey, God wants us to walk victoriously in Christ Jesus. The Word has declared that those who believe in Christ are overcomers of this world (see 1 John 5:5). Whenever you are struggling, here are some things that you can do to overcome the struggle:
1. Look to God’s Word for Wisdom
It is important to run to God’s word for wisdom whenever you are struggling in life. James 1:5 says, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” As you come to God and seek His Word for wisdom, the Holy Spirit will guide you and show you the right path. For instance, if you are constantly struggling with worry, the Word of God says, “Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).
2. Obey the Word of God
You shouldn’t only read God’s Word and seek His will when you’re struggling. Obeying what God says is a crucial part of overcoming any struggle. Jesus said in Matthew 7:24-25, “Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.”
3. Keep praying to God
1 Thessalonians 5:17 says, “Pray without ceasing.” Don’t stop praying to God until you have overcome your struggles. It can be tempting to become discouraged when your prayers seem to go unanswered, but the Lord promised a renewal of strength to those who wait upon Him. “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint” (Isaiah 40:31).
4. Communicate to a pastor or spiritual leader
It is important to surround yourself with and communicate your struggles to a godly and Spirit-filled leader who can be accountable for your well-being. It is your pastor’s job to look after your soul, along with your mentor or discipleship leader. Don’t hesitate to share your struggles with them for fear of burdening them. After all, Galatians 6:2 says, “Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” God wants us to share in each one’s burdens and demonstrate the love of Christ toward one another. That is why we are a family in the Kingdom of God.
Moreover, the prayers of your spiritual leaders and elders are powerful and effective as they pray for you. James 5:16 says, “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”
5. Fix your eyes on Jesus
Hebrews 12:2 says, “Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Like Jesus, who endured the cross, He can relate to your life’s struggles. This is why He set an example for all believers to follow; by fixing your eyes on Him instead of your struggles, pains, and difficulties, you can receive His strength, wisdom, and peace, no matter the challenges in your life.
6. Take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ
It is inevitable that, despite filling your mind with God’s Word, negative thoughts and voices will still try to infiltrate your mind. After all, the enemy does not rest in making war against the children of God, for he always seeks someone to devour (see 1 Peter 5:8). You must cast down any imaginations that are negative and contrary to God’s Word and take those thoughts captive to the obedience of Christ. 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.” You can pray, “In Jesus’ name, I rebuke all thoughts about a hopeless future, for God has promised to prosper me, giving me hope and a bright future! Amen.”
You can also check out this article (A Good night Prayer for Everyone Just Holding On) to give you more insight that may help in your struggles.
How do you stay faithful to God when you’re struggling?
Staying faithful to God during the most difficult times can be challenging when your mind is overwhelmed by the situations and voices of this world. When your mind magnifies the problem and pays more attention to the opinions of men and ideologies of this world, you tend to forget about the most important thing—the Word of God and His promises for your life—no matter what is currently happening.
In order to constantly stay faithful to God and strong in your relationship with Him during all seasons of life, here are some things you can do along with prayers:
1. Constantly Renew Your Mind with God’s Word
Romans 12:2 says, “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Only the Word of God can transform our minds and hearts according to the will of God. It is important to read and meditate upon it daily so that anything we learn from this world and its culture is renewed and realigned according to the Scripture.
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your Word, which has been guiding me, keeping me, and giving me strength. Your word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. As I read Your Word daily, the Holy Spirit convicts me, renews me, and realigns me in Jesus’ name. Amen.
A Prayer for Struggling
2. Refuse the lies of the enemy and declare 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.” God’s Word is a powerful tool against the lies of the enemy as you read and meditate upon it. When the Holy Spirit reveals the truth, speak God’s Word into your situation. For instance, if the enemy has been bombarding you with thoughts about your future, declare Jeremiah 29:11 for God’s promise of a future and hope in Christ Jesus.
Thank You, Father, for Your plan is to prosper and not harm me, to give me hope and a wonderful future in Christ Jesus. This is Your promise, and I believe in Your Word, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
A Prayer for Struggling
3. Use your authority in Christ Jesus
Our struggles are not against flesh and blood but against the principalities and evil spirits in the heavenly realms, as Ephesians 6:12 explains. Jesus Christ has given us authority against these principalities and evil spirits. He 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.” So, whenever the enemy is tempting you, for instance, to harbor bitterness and anger, rebuke it and pray in this way:
In Jesus’ name, I rebuke the spirit of anger and bitterness in my heart! I have the Holy Spirit in me, producing the fruit of Christ, which stems from love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Amen!
A Prayer for Struggling
4. Speak life into your situation
Proverbs 18:21 says, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.” When you struggle, control your tongue by not speaking negatively about yourself and the situation. Instead, speak life and declare God’s promises in the Bible. For instance, if you feel defeated by a problem in life, declare the victory of Christ Jesus:
Thank You, Lord, for I am the head and not the tail! I am more than a conqueror through You, and this situation will be turned around for my benefit, in Jesus’ name. Amen!
A Prayer for Struggling
5. Worship the Living God
Worshiping God during your struggles is such a powerful thing. It can change the atmosphere and confuse the enemy. Take a look at 2 Chronicles 20:22: “And when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten.” While the Israelites praised God, the Lord prepared an ambush upon their enemies that resulted in their victory. Similarly, when you praise God and exalt Him more than your struggles, you’ll soon realize that your struggles are nothing compared to what God is doing.
Heavenly Father, I praise and magnify You above all. You are Sovereign and unrivaled. Nothing can ever defeat You, and I am blessed to be called a child of God. My security and victory is in You alone, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
A Prayer for Struggling
6. Flee from the temptations of the devil and submit to God’s will
James 4:7 says, “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” The enemy will surely come and tempt a child of God at their weakest state, and this often comes in the form of struggles. For instance, if you are struggling with heartbreak, the enemy may come and tempt you to run towards liquor, vices, and temporary happiness to cover up the pain. However, as a child of God, you should run to God in prayer and His Word instead and flee from all sorts of temptations.
Thank You, Lord, for this pain I am currently feeling is nothing compared to the glory You are about to reveal. As I draw near to You, thank You for drawing near to Me and for making Your presence and Word known and felt, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
A Prayer for Struggling
God is with you on this journey. You have already overcome every struggle, and He is cheering you on as you seek His Word, obey His commands, and surrender your daily struggles in His name. You are victorious in Christ Jesus’ name!