A few years ago, our family went through a rough financial patch. I realize this may sound very privileged and first-world problem-y, but all at once, our home HVAC needed to be replaced, our family computer died, one of our cars broke down, our son needed school fees paid, and we had just wiped out our savings to pay for a big medical need.
We are a budgeted family, sticking to our line items with great precision, so this was a big, unexpected blow. It was overwhelming, to say the least, and one of those times we had to laugh to keep from crying.
Whether you are facing a financial crisis in this current economic crunch or you are dealing with another type of weariness, we all know that life is full of the unexpected. A long string of these surprises can cause even the strongest soul to grow weary, frustrated, and discontented.
The scriptures remind us to cling to God in all seasons, but especially when we are weary and dissatisfied. The word satisfy, biblically, has to do with abundance and excess—in some cases, it literally means to be so full you feel sick. Can you imagine having a heart posture that leads you to feel overly full, super sated, or even overfed—even when your circumstances are trying to drain you?
That’s our invitation—when life seems to be taking more than it gives back, we can trust in God’s supernatural ability and love to satisfy our souls and provide our needs. Here are several prayers, based on bible verses, that you can cling to and talk to God about—when you find yourself in a weary and dissatisfying desert:
Psalm 90:14 - “God, satisfy me in the morning with your steadfast love, that I may rejoice and be glad all my days.”
Psalm 91:16 – “God, satisfy me and my community, and show me and my people your salvation.”
Psalm 132:15- “God, bless me with provisions; satisfy me and my family with daily bread.”
Psalm 145:16 – “God, you open your hand; you satisfy the desire of every living thing. Please satisfy my weary heart and soul, too.”
Isaiah 55:2 - “God, transform me into the kind of person who spends my money with righteousness and justice and wisdom, who labors in a way that satisfies my soul, who listens to you, God, and who eats what is good, and delights in your rich food.”
Isaiah 58:10 - “God, help me get out of my self-focus and instead, pour myself out for the hungry and let me be someone who works to satisfy the desire of the afflicted.”
Isaiah 58:11– “Lord, guide me continually and satisfy my desire in scorched places and make my bones strong; so that I will be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.”
Jeremiah 31:25 – “God, I praise you. For you will satisfy the weary soul, and every languishing soul you will replenish.”
In these stressful life seasons, sometimes God shows up with supernatural, miraculous provision. Sometimes, your friends and family members show up in surprising ways. Other times, you plod along faithfully, doing your best one day at a time. Sometimes, it doesn’t seem like it’s going to be okay, or it feels like it’s going to take a long time for things to be okay. Through it all, you can trust and cling to the promises of God. You can pray the scriptures back to God. You can ask God for help.
He will be faithful to his Word. He will give rest to your weary and dissatisfied soul.
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