A Prayer to Find Belonging When You're Feeling Alone
By Emma Danzey
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” - Isaiah 41:10
Do you feel lonely? Have you convinced yourself that you are all alone? The truth is that God is always with us, so we are never truly alone. However, our circumstances and our mindsets can cause us to feel isolated, misunderstood, and unseen. Many people in the Bible experienced loneliness: Joseph, Hagar, Elijah, the Samaritan Woman, John, and more. However, God saw them, He cared for them, and He provided for them.
Today, we are going to pray through a prayer to find belonging when you’re feeling alone. First and foremost, I want to share that belonging is only truly found in our identity in Christ. He gives us a true sense of security in Him. He created us, He knows us, and He has set us free. Secondly, when we live out of that confidence in Him, we can take steps into the community that He has called us to.
Mark 12:30-31 shares, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”
Loving God means that we have a relationship with Him. Loving people means that we have relationships with them. Maybe you are feeling alone, but you are not putting yourself out there to make a community. It can be an intimidating thing. However, we are invited to invest our lives in relationships with other believers and be friends with unbelievers, too. Think about ways you can get more involved in your local church body. Try out a workout class. Join a Bible Study. Go to a mom's group. Ask that one new friend to coffee. Initiative takes courage, but it can be a great antidote for loneliness.
Most importantly, get in the Bible daily and seek God in prayer. He is always with us and desiring that relationship. Looking to Him teaches us that we are never truly alone. I met a woman just the other day who is a lonely widow. We had the opportunity to pray in the middle of an aisle in Walmart. You never know who is around you. I gave her my number, and we have connected since. Even if you do not feel lonely right now, there are people around you who need to belong. Be bold to share Christ’s love in recognizing them and praying for and with them.
Let's pray:
El Roi, You are the God who Sees Us,
We are humbled that we are not unnoticed by You. Thank You that you are with us always. Thank You that whether we feel alone or well-connected with others that You care for our needs. We praise You for giving us the identity of being adopted into Your family, being friends of You, and being your bride as the Church. We are not alone. You are always with us, and we recognize that and claim that promise today. Thank You for the community around me that I have not received yet. Would you give me courage by Your Holy Spirit to introduce myself to one person or join a group to get to know others? Help me overcome my insecurities or fears that prevent me from loving others.
Thank You that You provide all of our needs. Thank You that You relate to me in every way, even in loneliness. Help me to be empowered by your Spirit to overcome the fiery darts of the enemy’s lies with your truth. I am who You say I am. I am your child, your friend, your beloved. I belong to You. Help me to see others as You see them. May I have eyes to notice the needs of those around me. Give me confidence by your Spirit to start conversations, pray for others, and reach out to new friends. Keep my heart tender and open to new friendships. Thank You for preparing the way.
Amen.
Photo credit: ©GettyImages/pixelheadphoto
Related Resource: Jesus Calling - Stories of Faith
Kerry Washington. Andrea Bocelli. Reba McEntire. Mark Wahlberg. Tony Dungy. Matthew McConaughey, What do all of these people have in common? They are all people of faith who have leaned on God in both the good and challenging times—and they’ve shown up to tell their story of faith on The Jesus Calling Podcast. The Jesus Calling Podcast provides a place for people from all walks of life to share the heartaches, joys, and divine moments that keep them going.
Inspired by Sarah Young's classic devotional book, the Jesus Calling podcast has brought encouragement and peace to millions. New episodes drop every Thursday! Listen today on LifeAudio.com or wherever you find your podcasts.
Now that you've prayed, are you in need of someone to pray for YOU? Click the button below!
