Who or what do you turn to during hard times?

Your spouse, a friend, your favorite TV show? While none of these things are bad, they cannot provide the lasting peace and comfort your soul craves. People who love you can encourage you—but can they restore your soul? A TV show can offer a fun distraction—but can it transform your mind?

It is only in prayer—communion with our Father—that we can find a refreshing that lasts, a light that illuminates the dark.

Let us look to Scripture to be reminded of what prayer can do.

Prayer Leads to Deliverance

“When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles.”
—Psalm 34:17 (ESV)

God is a deliverer. We see it throughout Scripture—He delivered Noah and his family from the flood, He delivered the Israelites from Egypt, He delivered David from Goliath, and greatest of all—He sent His Son to deliver us from eternal death and separation from Him.

Prayer Helps Us Endure

“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”
—Romans 12:12 (NIV)

Life is full of trials. No one is immune to suffering. God calls us to be faithful in prayer as we live with defiant hope and patiently endure hardship. It is no accident that these three things are mentioned in the same passage—each one is essential to the other. It is in prayer that we find the strength to have joy in the midst of trials.

Prayer Is Powerful

“The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”
—James 5:16 (NIV)

In the midst of a hard season, we often try to control things that are out of our control. We usually cannot change our circumstances, no matter how hard we try. But we are not helpless, and we must remember the power of prayer. In prayer, we reach beyond ourselves and our own strength, and call upon Almighty God—asking Him to intervene, restore, and deliver.

When You Don’t Know Where to Start

Going through hardships often makes us isolate and pull back—from people and from God. Perhaps you haven’t prayed in a long time. It’s never too late to talk to God and invite Him into what you’re walking through right now. Do you want to pray but don’t know how?

You can start with this simple prayer:

Heavenly Father,
I do not know exactly where to start, but I know that Your Word says You hear me when I pray. I need You, Lord. Please renew my strength and fill me afresh with Your Holy Spirit. Help me in my weakness. I trust that You are faithful and that Your Word is true. When I feel alone, I trust that You will never leave me nor forsake me. Help me to run to You before anything or anyone else. You are the only source of true life. Thank You for loving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Include the Bibleless in Your Prayers

Did you know there are millions of people without any Scripture in their language? That means they cannot turn to the Bible for encouragement, comfort, and hope. They don’t know what it’s like to hold God’s Word in their hands.

At Pray for Zero, we pray for those without Scripture. We pray that one day, every language and people group will have access to the Bible. Until we reach zero, we pray.Will you join us?
Start here.