A Prayer for the Discouraged
By Andy Lee

“Have I not commanded you? Be sturdy and brave. Don’t be afraid; don’t be discouraged, for the Lord your God shall be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

Discouragement is harmful. It’s one of many biggest techniques of the enemy, as a result of discouragement ushers unsure, and doubt makes us query our calling and even worse, our religion. Discouragement stirs frustration and apathy. It whispers to our hearts that we aren’t adequate, nothing will ever change, or we heard God improper. Discouragement strips our braveness to proceed, however our God is larger than discouragement.

God is aware of the human coronary heart. He is aware of our weaknesses, and that’s the reason as he ready Joshua to step into Moses’s sneakers to guide the Israelites into the Promise Land, he knew Joshua and the generations of believers to observe would wish this command and promise.

However this isn’t only a command. That is an assurance. One other solution to translate this scripture is: “Have I not appointed you?” God was reminding Joshua that God himself had chosen Joshua for this place. God had ready him. God believed in him, and God would by no means go away him.

Maybe that is why, centuries later, as Paul sat chained in a jail cell, discouragement didn’t silence his pen. Regardless of his lack of freedom, Paul preached the Gospel of Jesus Christ in jail by his letters to the church buildings. Chains didn’t cease him as a result of he by no means doubted his name nor the presence of Jesus.

Discouragement solely holds energy over us when our eyes are fastened on failure or disappointment fairly than the promised presence of God. Once we lean closely on our emotions fairly than Scripture, we threat permitting the large of discouragement to threaten us as Goliath did David. Keep in mind how David responded to Goliath’s taunts?

David stated to the Philistine, “You come in opposition to me with sword and spear and javelin, however I come in opposition to you within the identify of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you’ve gotten defiled.” – 1 Samuel 17:45

Not solely did David knock down this big with one easy stone, however he additionally used his sword to chop off Goliath’s head. The enormous’s lips would by no means once more communicate phrases of discouragement and doubt. This bully was silenced by the facility of YHWH working by somewhat shepherd boy who had been appointed by God.  

For these of us discouraged immediately, could we rise up in opposition to discouragement. Allow us to seize our swords of the Spirit, which is the Phrase of God, and rise up in opposition to our emotions. Could the Lord assist us lean on Scripture and observe His presence in prayer. God has referred to as us. He’s with us.

Let’s pray:

Pricey God,
We’re so simply discouraged. Social media always reminds us that another person appears to be doing a greater job, has a stronger marriage or is a greater father or mother. Our success pales compared to others, and regardless that we all know higher, we will’t silence the taunts of discouragement weighing down our hearts. We need to give up. We’ve misplaced our braveness, our energy to proceed. We want you.

Lord, please communicate louder than the doubts. Lead us to scriptures that talk into our circumstances and remind us of your presence and guarantees. Your Phrase is lively. It’s sharper than any double-edged dagger. Pierce the lies. Silence the foe and clear out the injuries contaminated with doubt.

We need to serve you within the office, in our marriages, and in our households understanding indisputably that you just referred to as us to those locations. You’ll not, and you haven’t forsaken or left us. Open our receptors to your Presence and our ears to your voice. Forgive us for our doubts and fears and assist us belief your reality greater than our emotions.

Thanks, Lord, for the trials of religion. Thanks for this discouragement as a result of it attracts us to you. It retains us humble. Simply as Joshua couldn’t go into the Promised Land with out you, neither can we. On our days after we really feel we’re completed and may give up, give us a glimpse of hope. Present us why it’s not time to alter instructions. Present us you’re right here. Don’t allow us to measure success with the world’s measuring stick. Give us an everlasting perspective.
In Jesus’ Identify, Amen.

Photograph credit score: ©SalemDesign/BethanyPyle

Andy Lee is an occasion speaker, blogger, YouTuber, and award profitable writer of three books, A Mary Like Me; The Ebook of Ruth Key-Phrase Bible Examine, and Radiant Affect: How an peculiar woman modified the world. She passionately teaches the best way to discover life in God’s Phrase so as to stay abundantly. You possibly can catch her life giving messages weekly on Instagram and YouTube. She additionally offers month-to-month Bible studying plans and articles on her web site www.wordsbyandylee.com.