Five Prayers for Strength

Five Prayers for Strength

Marcy MartinBy Marcy Martin7 Minutes

When we find ourselves before our all-mighty God praying for strength, it is usually when we are feeling either physically, spiritually, or emotionally weak. In these times it can be difficult for us to pray or to prevent our minds from being distracted during our prayer by the all-consuming matters that have driven us to our knees.

In our moments of weakness, we can use Scripture to guide our prayer lives to improve the focus of our hearts while ensuring that we are praying in accordance with God’s will. Many times, we think of Bible study and prayer as two separate spiritual disciplines. However, when prayer and God’s Words are combined we learn to meditate on His truths as we allow them to improve our communication with God in prayer.

Below are five Scriptures and prayers for strength we can pray for ourselves and others:

  1. Prayer for Strength to Persevere in Hard Times.

Scripture Example:

In Psalm 86, David petitions God in a highly stressful time, when he knew ruthless men were trying to take his life. He prays specifically for strength in verse 16a:

Turn to me and be gracious to me. Give Your strength to Your servant.

Prayer for strength based on Psalm 86:16a:

Heavenly Father, the circumstances of my life are weighing heavy on my heart and mind. There are days that I feel as if I am unable to continue, and I need Your strength to persevere. I want to remain faithful and serve you through this trial in my life, and I need you to graciously pour out your strength on me.

  1. Prayer for Physical Strength.

Scripture Example:

Samson was a man God blessed with unusual physical strength, yet his disobedience led God to remove His strength. During Samson’s time of weakness and captivity, we can assume that he recognized in a new way the source of his strength. Wanting vengeance on the Philistines, Samson prayed for physical strength in Judges 16:28a:

He called out to the Lord: “Lord God, please remember me. Strengthen me, God, just once more.

As the Scripture continues, we see God grant Samson the strength to push down a large temple, giving to the Israelites a victory over the Philistines.

Prayer for strength based on Judges 16:28a:

Lord, remember me in my physically weakened state. I know that my strength comes from you alone, and I need physical strength from you to accomplish the tasks you have set before me today.

  1. Prayer for Spiritual Strength.

Scripture Example:

Paul prays for the Gentiles to have spiritual strength and power in Ephesians 3:16:

I pray that He may grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power in the inner man through His Spirit.

We too can pray for the Holy Spirit to grant us the strength needed to grow in our faith.

Prayer for strength based on Ephesians 3:16:

All-powerful God, I praise you for the gift of faith you have given me. I pray that you would allow the Holy Spirit to work in my life to strengthen my faith. Draw me closer to you and deepen my relationship with you. Allow me to trust you more as I learn, through prayer and the study of your Word, the tremendous depth of your love for me.

  1. Prayer for strength for others.

Scripture Example:

As Jesus predicts Simon Peter’s denial of Him, He also lets Peter know that he has prayed for his faith to be strong enough not to fail. In Luke 22:32 Jesus tells Peter He has prayed for him.

But I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And you, when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.

Jesus also speaks in this Scripture about strengthening others. We can follow the example of Christ in praying for the strength of those around us.

Prayer for strength based on Luke 22:32:

Like Christ, I want to pray for those around me who need strength. We need your strength to prevent our faith from failing. Help me to notice those who are feeling weak, and take opportunities to pray for and encourage them with my prayers.

  1. Prayer for the strength of the church.

In Acts 2:46-47, Paul describes a strong church.

Every day they devoted themselves to meeting together in the temple complex, and broke bread from house to house. They ate their food with a joyful and humble attitude, praising God and having favor with all the people. And every day the Lord added to them those who were being saved.

If we desire the church to be strong enough to function as this New Testament church then we cannot forget to include the church in our prayers.

Prayer for strength based on Acts 2:46-47:

God, I pray that your church would strengthen through fellowship and worshiping together. Bring joy and humility to the church and let our attitudes be an example to those outside the walls of the church. I pray that you draw more people to salvation and that the healthy and strong church would be used in the discipleship process.

These five prayers are only the beginning and can spur us to think about other prayers we can pray for strength. As we fervently pray, the Holy Spirit will guide us through meditations on His Word.

Find Strength in a Relationship with God

Scripture quoted from Holman Christian Standard Bible.