When we are in difficult times, a prayer for encouragement can be the pick up we need. If our loved ones are down on their luck, we pray that God will encourage them to see the light. God can work miracles on us by giving us His encouragement.
God wants us all to prosper and be well. He gives us hope for tomorrow.
"Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go" (Joshua 1:9)
Yes, sometimes it is hard to rally ourselves; but God is there to intervene when it is needed. Praying for God's encouragement is part of our Christian journey. When life is hard, it is easy to question God. Have faith and pray and we will go in the right direction together and move on to better times.
What does the word "encouragement" actually mean? According to Webster's Dictionary, the word encouragement means "to give or increase confidence of success; to inspire with courage, or strength of mind."
When we say a prayer for encouragement, we are asking God to embolden us. We ask God to give us confidence in Him, and to give us strength of mind that His will and goodness will prevail.
It is human nature to have doubts. We all get lost at some point in traveling through life. We must not let the enemy let us loose confidence in Christ. In these moments remember the promises of Jesus' spiritual power.
"I have put my spirit upon him...a bruised reed he will not break, and a faintly burning wick he will not quench." Isaiah (42:1-3)
Do you ever feel like a "bruised reed"? Do you feel like the light at the end of your wick is faintly burning? Everyone has moments when we feel fragile or burnt out. Pray to God for encouragement. Let him reignite our light.
God wants to see us through the hard times and is waiting for us to call upon Him through prayer for encouragement. When we pray for encouragement, we are reminded of the source and strength of our faith, giving us hope for stronger days ahead.
It is easy to loose faith in times of need. Know that God is always listening to our prayers. Do not be discouraged when you flame is dwindled down to a spark. The Lord will not extinguish your light. Say a prayer for encouragement. Take heart that God will fan the spark into a strong flame.
The encouragement that God gives us might be different than you think. Praying for encouragement does not mean God will alleviate the trials of life. He will not automatically instill missing confidence. Asking for encouragement is asking God to strengthen our faith in Him. With that strong faith, we can better trust His promises. Encouragement can allow us to endure with grace and know that we are not alone. Our struggles are part of God's larger plan. Keeping your faith in hard times may even give encouragement to others to stand strong in the face of adversity.
When God does begin to answer our prayers for encouragement, there are a few things that begin to happen:
During moments of discouragement, continue to thank God for the lessons to be found in your times of trial. Keep a prayer journal to remind yourself to continue to pray faithfully, and remember that even in difficult moments, God will never abandon us.