Gracious Father, we sometimes find ourselves unusually low. Waves of fear often associated with feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness overwhelm us. This distress seems to have no boundaries and awakens us in the morning, accompanies us throughout the day, and sends us fretfully to sleep at night. “Why, my soul, are we downcast? Why so disturbed within us?”
We cry out! Answer us quickly, Lord; our spirit fails. Do not hide your face from us or we feel like we will be like those who go down to the pit. Let the morning bring us word of your unfailing love, for we have put our trust in you.
You, Lord, are our lamp; you turn our darkness into light. You will turn our wailing into dancing; you will remove our sackcloth and clothe us with joy. Show us the way we should go, for to you we entrust our life. Rescue us from our enemies, many times seemingly ourselves, Lord, for we hide ourselves in you.
We deeply desire to humble ourselves under your mighty hand, that you may lift us up in due time. Give us faith to cast all our anxiety on you because you care for us. Lord, you are our refuge when oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Even though we walk through the darkest valley, give us faith to fear no evil, for you are with us; your rod and your staff, they comfort us. We know that in all things you work for the good of those of us who love you, who have been called according to your purpose.
Through Christ alone, we are righteous. We cry out, and you hear us; you deliver us from all our troubles. You are close to us when we are brokenhearted and save us when we are crushed in spirit. You will lift us out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; you will set our feet on a rock and give us a firm place to stand.
Holy Spirit, give us faith and fearlessness for you are with us. Do not allow us to be shaken, for you are our God. You promise to give us strength and all we need to persevere. You will uphold us with your mighty and dependable righteous right hand. This is your promise; as we hope in you Lord Jesus, you will renew our strength. We will soon soar on wings like eagles. We will run and not grow weary. We will walk and not be faint. So, we seek you Christ Jesus, when we are weary and burdened and depend upon you to give us rest. Teach us how to trust you alone and take your yoke upon us and learn from you, for you are gentle and humble in heart, and we will find rest for our souls. For Christ’s yoke is easy and his burden is light.
Father, thank you for telling us these things, so that through Christ we may have peace. In this world we will have trouble. But we take heart! You have overcome the world. May the God of hope fill us with all joy and peace as we trust in you, so that we may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
In Christ,
Blessings!
Psalm 42:11a
Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me?
Psalm 143:7-9
7 Answer me quickly, Lord; my spirit fails. Do not hide your face from me or I will be like those who go down to the pit. 8 Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life. 9 Rescue me from my enemies, Lord, for I hide myself in you.
I Peter 5:6-7
6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
Psalm 9:9
9 The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.
II Samuel 22:29
29 You, Lord, are my lamp; the Lord turns my darkness into light.
Romans 8:28
28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Psalm 23:4
4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
Psalm 30:11
11 You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,
Psalm 34:17-18
17 The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. 18 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
Psalm 40:2
2 He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.
Isaiah 41:10
10 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 40:31
31 but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Matthew 11:28-30
28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
John 16:33
33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
Roman’s 15:13
13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.