A Prayer for Help and Hope When You’re Feeling Helpless
By Keri Eichberger
Bible Reading
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” - Psalm 46:1
Listen or Read Below:
Have you ever felt helpless or hopeless? If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably experienced these unpleasant sentiments at many points in the past—maybe even right now. It was only a couple of months ago. I vividly recall being overwhelmed with a specific sense of helplessness. It seemed there was nothing I could do to improve the unfortunate circumstances surrounding me. My mom was stuck 600 miles away, tending to my dad at the hospital bedside after suffering a stroke on vacation. I wanted desperately to do something to help her, to support her, and get them home. But as each day passed without insurance approval to move Dad back to Kentucky, Mom‘s spirits became more shadowed by sadness, and Dad‘s condition continued to decline. Day after day, she’d say, “Don’t come just yet. Surely tomorrow we’ll hear something.” But after almost two weeks without good news, the consuming feeling of helplessness burst into utter hopelessness, and I had to do something. So my husband, Mike, and I packed a bag and abruptly headed south to help.
Why are we so quick to think we are in charge of the change we think is needed? So often, when we feel helpless, we scurry with anxious strides to solve every problem and become frantic to fix whatever feels broken and wrong instead of falling fast into the sovereign arms of our good God's comfort and care. Do you often find yourself anxiously scurrying to smooth out your struggles too?
I am extremely grateful we traveled to visit my parents because Mike and I shared some of the most precious moments serving my mom. In fact, we had a divine encounter that allowed my dad to be transferred home just 48 hours later. But, the falsely believed helplessness that had made me crazy for days before our departure could’ve been avoided if I’d acknowledged one major truth: We are never helpless because God is our ever-present helper. God has control.
My mom reflects now on her two-week stay in that South Carolina hospital with this encouragement: It was God who carried her through. Yes, God was truly her help and strength. He was mine. And he is yours, too. God is always our help. He has been your source of help to get you where you are, he is your help now, and he will be your help through whatever you come across tomorrow and every day after. And friend, if your helpless-seeming situation drags you down with discouragement into hopelessness, rest assured that there is always hope. There is always hope because there is always help—help that is holding you and will never let you go—the sovereign help of our all-powerful, unconditionally loving Father.
Let’s Pray:
Almighty God, You are my ever-present help. My refuge and my strength in any and every trial and trouble. Oh, how I want to rest in this truth when the worries of my world weigh on me. I confess I too often assume all responsibility for smoothing the rough patches of my life. Resulting in helpless defeat when it appears nothing is changing. Lord, help me remember you are the one in charge, you are always working, and you are helping move moments and mountains even when I can’t see it. This is such a gift. I praise you for your constant sufficient supplies of strength. I praise you for blessing me with renewed hope in the acknowledgment of your unwavering, unfailing, unchanging promise of help.
In your faithful name, Jesus, amen.
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