Prayer for Better Days

Do you ever stop and say a prayer for better days?

While my life as a whole is fantastic, I have a lot of days that could be better. From chronic migraines to just being frazzled, life happens and I’m guessing you can relate.

So, let me ask, do you ever just have a bad day? Or even a bad season? A time when it seems like life is stacked against you and one thing after another tends to go wrong?

If so, you are not alone. However, you also don’t have to live in that frazzled, stressed-out state.

Jesus said he came so we could have an abundant life (John 10:10) and saying a prayer for better days is one of the best steps we can take when life goes sideways.

From a quick “God please help” to praying the Bible to getting down on our knees and pouring our hearts out, praying for better days isn’t hard, but it is powerful. It can not only change our day, but it can change our entire lives.

Recently, I had a bad morning. Or I should say one of my kids had a bad morning. Instead of encouraging them to pray about it, I got sucked into it with them. After I got them to school, I finally remembered to pray about it. Doing so lifted my spirits immediately, and I got a great report after school that their day got better as well.

I won’t say that I always remember to pray (I don’t), but when I do it always makes a difference. In this post, I want to share several examples of ways you can pray for better days.

Praying the Bible for Better days

Check out these five Scriptures that speak to bad days (and better days) in the Bible. Find the one that resonates most with you and use it as a template to pray for better days.

1.) Matthew 11:28-30

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Father God, I come before you now because I am weary and heavy laden. I know my rest is found in you and you alone. Help me to refocus from all that’s going wrong and instead, focus on you. Thank you, Lord.

2.) 1 Peter 5:7

casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

Father God, I’m feeling anxious, but I know you care for me. You have great things in store for my life. And you already know how this situation will end. Please help me to leave my anxious thoughts at your feet and put my trust firmly in you.

3.) Romans 8:28-29

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.

Father God, you know what’s weighing down my soul today, but I know your Word says you can use this for good. Help me to trust in you for better days. Help me to trust that you will use this, even this, for your glory.

4.) 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.

Lord God, I trust you with my whole heart. Help me lean into you now. Help me not to get fixated on how bad things look. Instead, let me fix my eyes on you and trust you for the better things that are yet to come. Make straight my paths, O Lord.

5.) Philippians 4:6-7

do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Father God, my anxiety gets the best of me sometimes. But I know you are still God and you are still good. Thank you for loving me and caring for me. Please give me your peace, both now and in the days to come. In Jesus name I pray; amen.

5 More Bible Verses for Better Days

Here are five more Bible verses for better days. You could turn them into prayers, or just turn to them when you’re in distress.

Psalm 145:2

Every day I will bless you
    and praise your name forever and ever.

Psalm 118:24

This is the day that the Lord has made;
    let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Psalm 68:19

Blessed be the Lord,
    who daily bears us up;
    God is our salvation.

Psalm 59:16

But I will sing of your strength;
    I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the morning.
For you have been to me a fortress
    and a refuge in the day of my distress.

John 14:1

Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.

5 More Prayers for Better Days

Here are some additional prayers you could pray when you are in need of better days:

1.) O give thanks to the Lord for He is good. Your steadfast love, O God, endures forever. I’m in need of some of that love right now. Help me to see the good in the world you created. Help me to look past the difficult situations I’m facing and lean into your love and grace. Give me better days, God. Not just for my good, but for your glory.

2.) Father God, you are good and mighty to save. You can save me from even this. I don’t know what your will is Lord, but help me to refocus my heart on you and put my trust in you for better days.

3.) Lord, today has been hard. Harder than most. Please forgive me where I’ve failed you and help me to lean back into you. Help me trust that tomorrow will be a better day.

4.) God, I had a bad day. You know it full well. But you didn’t leave me to wallow in self-pity, you are here with me even now. Help tomorrow to be a better day, I pray.

5.) Lord, in my distress, you are always my refuge. I need to take refuge in you today. But I also trust you for a better tomorrow. Thank you for being my rock and my salvation.

6.) Father God, my day has just seemed to spiral out of control and it’s tempting to feel defeated. But I know that because of Jesus’ saving work on the cross, I don’t have to live condemned. I don’t have to feel like a failure. You have my back, my Savior and my God. I am so thankful for you. Help me to live victoriously. Even when things go wrong.

What’s Causing Your Bad Day?

Obviously, different types of bad days will call for different types of prayers for better days.

You may be struggling with chronic pain (I’ve been there)

You may be fearful of what’s ahead (it happens)

Perhaps you have financial trouble or a teenager that’s gone rogue. 

Or maybe it’s a combination of some or all of the above.

The bottom line is that no matter what’s causing your bad day, God is always there. You may even consider forming your own prayer circle or getting a prayer partner so you can pray for better days together.

Conclusion

Saying a prayer for better days isn’t just a good idea, it’s biblical. We are called to pray without ceasing (1 Thess. 5:17) To be still and know that He is God (Psalm 46:10). He is called our comforter, healer, refuge, and ever-present help in times of trouble. Philippians 4:6 encourages us not to be anxious about anything, but pray about everything and make our requests be known to God.

The next time you have a bad day, I encourage you to stop and say a short prayer for better days. We have a God who loves us and wants to hear from us. He also has the power to take our days and turn them from bad to good.

Join the Conversation

When was the last time you had a bad day? Did you remember to pray, or is this something you struggle with?

If you struggle, remember there is no condemnation for those who belong to Jesus (Romans 8:1).

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. ~ Psalm 46:1

If you enjoyed this article, you may also enjoy:

• 20 Types of Prayer [That are Biblical & Powerful]
• Prayer for Anxiety (How to Give Your Anxiety to God)