Prayer for Despair

A Prayer For Despair When You Are Hanging on The Cliffs

Are you hurting today because of loss you have suffered in your life?

2020 has been a painful year for many of us. We saw the end of many of our loved one’s lives cut short. And though the pandemic has swept through our lives and caused devastation.

I am reminded of that famous hymn, ‘When peace like a river attendeth my way, when sorrows like sea billows roll; Whatever my lot Thou hast taught me to say, “It is well, it is well with my soul!”

Will you join me as we walk into uncertainty and insecurity, to choose not to focus on the loss, devastation and despair that surrounds us? But turn your eyes upward and trust God in your pain.

Because His grace abounds even when we feel tossed or sinking under the hardships that wear us pretty thin.

The hard times may choke us, where we feel unable to pray. And there is no doubt it is hard, I know I understand, I have lost loved one’s too. But God wants us to meet him at the door way, allow him to come into our hearts as we sing our song – broken or crushed.

When we think we are too busy to pray, our life becomes harder, but if we pray, our life will get easier. Not because the situation may shift immediately, but because we have altered our perspective.

What Changes can You Make Now to Release Despair?

I cannot take away the empty or brokenness you may be experiencing, but I know that if you pray God can.

So that you value the moments, treasure the memories and hold onto what counts right now. Feelings of despair can bring a lesson, to teach us to slow down and appreciate what we have. 

4 ways to overcome that feeling of despair daily so that you live your life

• Change your thoughts

It begins when you let go of negative thinking, those feelings of affliction, activated by failures and unmet expectations. Just because you have never achieved a dream doesn’t meant there is something wrong with you.

God sees you as unique. You need to look in the mirror and stop holding those judgmental ideas over yourself and trust God.

• Trust the process that God has you in

We all have faced that place where we felt miserable because there has been drawback after another, but through prayer, God has led you to read this post.

And here is a community who can pray with you as you move from that vulnerable place to one of praise and gratitude where you know that God holds you as capable and valuable.

He wants to transform those feelings of worthlessness and despair to find meaning in the life he has for you.

• Be creative in breaking the negative patterns

Maybe someone said something and you feel like you will never live up to that validation. Or life has jaded you and your despair seems to be something you regard as normal that you carry around every day.

You pretend to others you are ok, but deep down it’s all a façade. Do something practical like making a craft or writing a poem. Walk in the garden or park and appreciate the seasons miracles around you.

• Believe in possibility

There are options and possibility for things to change, you have to take a step and find the available resources – where you ask for help from a friend or professional and never give up.

You can change that feeling of despondency, if you surround yourself with happy and positive people. It will get better and it is possible because God opens every door to possibility away from that feeling of desolation that you find difficult to deal with right now.

5 Bible Verses to Deal with Despair

“God’s grace is painted on the canvas of despair.” -T.D. Jakes

1. “You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!” Isaiah 26:3
2. “We are experiencing trouble on every side, but are not crushed; we are perplexed, but not driven to despair.” 2 Corinthians 4:8
3. “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27
4. “Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.” Psalm 27:14
5. “Looking unto Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2

“The greatest faith is born in the hour of despair. When we can see no hope and no way out, then faith rises and brings the victory.”  -Lee Robertson

A Prayer for Despair for Your Desperate Feelings

Father,
My life is your canvas, and you hold the brush
Right now, it feels like my life makes no sense
But you see it as a work in progress,
Despite me always being in a rush
Every stroke is by your purpose as you make me wiser to the woes of life
Past every sunbeam, cloud and mountain
I sometimes cannot see Your light of restoration
I know every circumstance is in Your will
Even my despair
Like the birds who are fed daily and the sheep that graze in the meadows
You are my shepherd and hold all my fears
Lead me to places of refreshment and rest.
Because I know my strength will not fail if You are here
At times my life feels like an unfinished painting and the story of my life seems unclear
But as the days pass
I know You will reveal the meaning
I trust the artistic design You hold of my life
Fashioning every blow into beauty and in your perfect way.
To you, my life is not an incomplete painting as I know
You will work out everything together for my good.
Amen

Conclusion

I simply love this poem by Emily Dickinson “Hope” is the thing with feathers. That perches in the soul. And sings the tune without the words. And never stops – at all.

Because this poem has held me through some really dark moments, but more so the light of God’s hope which shines through our darkest situation. Darkness will not overshadow you, because Christ is the light of the world.

God has promised us that, whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life (John 8:12). Because of God’s abundant goodness (Psalm 31:19), He will establish your plans (Jeremiah 29:11) and work all things for your good so that you find your purpose (Psalm 138) despite any challenge into the peace and grace of God.