Prayers for Help
In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but God’s Spirit intercedes on our behalf.
- Romans 8:26 (NRSV)
We all have times in our lives when we (or our children) are feeling overwhelmed - whether by stress at work, a big test at school, or even just from juggling a lot of things at once. The following prayers are meant to be both comforting and inspiring, as we remind ourselves that God will be with us no matter what lies ahead.
Prayer for Younger Children
God, I trust that you love me.
God, I trust you watch over me.
God, I trust that you help me,
so help me with _____ today. Amen.
Asking for Help for Ourselves
Almighty God, I'm asking you to be with me right now,
because I'm having a hard time doing this on my own.
Give me strength whenever I'm feeling worn out.
Give me courage when I just need to get through another day.
Give me patience when things aren't going according to my plan.
Remind me that you have given me the gift of your spirit,
and that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Amen.
Asking for Help for Others
Almighty God, I'm praying right now for ________.
May you give ____ a sense of your presence surrounding them in this time,
and may you remind them that they are deeply loved by you.
May you give them strength, courage and patience;
May you fill them with faith, hope, and love;
that even in this difficult time that they are in,
they might know that you are watching over them. Amen.
The Road Ahead, by Thomas Merton
My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going.
I do not see the road ahead of me.
I cannot know for certain where it will end.
Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think that I am following
your will does not mean that I am actually doing so.
But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you.
And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing.
I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire.
And I know that if I do this, you will lead me by the right road though I may know nothing about it.
Therefore will I trust you always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death.
I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone. Amen.
Serenity Prayer, by Reinhold Niebuhr
God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference. Amen.
- Romans 8:26 (NRSV)
We all have times in our lives when we (or our children) are feeling overwhelmed - whether by stress at work, a big test at school, or even just from juggling a lot of things at once. The following prayers are meant to be both comforting and inspiring, as we remind ourselves that God will be with us no matter what lies ahead.
Prayer for Younger Children
God, I trust that you love me.
God, I trust you watch over me.
God, I trust that you help me,
so help me with _____ today. Amen.
Asking for Help for Ourselves
Almighty God, I'm asking you to be with me right now,
because I'm having a hard time doing this on my own.
Give me strength whenever I'm feeling worn out.
Give me courage when I just need to get through another day.
Give me patience when things aren't going according to my plan.
Remind me that you have given me the gift of your spirit,
and that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Amen.
Asking for Help for Others
Almighty God, I'm praying right now for ________.
May you give ____ a sense of your presence surrounding them in this time,
and may you remind them that they are deeply loved by you.
May you give them strength, courage and patience;
May you fill them with faith, hope, and love;
that even in this difficult time that they are in,
they might know that you are watching over them. Amen.
The Road Ahead, by Thomas Merton
My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going.
I do not see the road ahead of me.
I cannot know for certain where it will end.
Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think that I am following
your will does not mean that I am actually doing so.
But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you.
And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing.
I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire.
And I know that if I do this, you will lead me by the right road though I may know nothing about it.
Therefore will I trust you always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death.
I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone. Amen.
Serenity Prayer, by Reinhold Niebuhr
God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference. Amen.