A Prayer for Strength
When you are worn down, pray for renewed strength rather than gritted-teeth endurance. Admit your weakness, and ask God to carry you. The prayer below rests on Isaiah 40:31, where those who hope in the Lord renew their strength and do not grow faint.
“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.”
A prayer
Father, I am running low. I have been strong for everyone else, and there is not much left for myself. You know the weight I have been carrying and how tired I have become beneath it. I am not asking to feel powerful. I am asking to be carried. Your Word says that those who hope in You will find their strength renewed, so I bring You my emptiness and ask You to fill it. Where I have tried to run on my own reserves, teach me to wait on You. Renew me from the inside. Give me strength enough for today's load, not the whole road at once, just today. And remind me that Your power is made perfect precisely where I am weak. I lean the full weight of myself on You now. In Jesus' name, amen.
Reflection
There is a kind of tiredness sleep can't fix, the weariness of carrying things for a long time. Isaiah speaks straight to it, and his answer is surprising. The strength doesn't come from trying harder. It comes from hoping in the Lord. You don't summon it. God renews it in you.
Paul learned the same lesson the hard way, and heard God say, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Your empty places are not disqualifying. They are exactly where God's strength becomes most visible.
You do not need strength for the entire journey today. You only need enough for today. Ask for that, and trust that tomorrow's portion will be there tomorrow.
Common questions
What is a short prayer for strength?
"Lord, I am weary and worn. Renew my strength, carry what I cannot, and give me enough for today. I put my hope in You. Amen."
What does the Bible say about God giving strength?
Isaiah 40:31, Philippians 4:13, and 2 Corinthians 12:9 all teach that our strength is renewed and sustained by God, whose power is made perfect in our weakness.
Related prayers
Part of the Faith Over Fear theme.
Want to study this more deeply with others? OpenBibleLab is our community for going further.