For Those Who Are Battle-Weary: Prayer and Reminders of Hope

Some days get hard. We feel exhausted. Worn. Tired of fighting. About ready to give up. Feeling like we can’t go on. Struggling through defeat. The enemy seems to be hot on our trail. And we wonder if we’ve been left on our own.

For those who are battle-weary, His Truth over us for this day…

We’re not alone. Not ever. God won’t let go, though we may struggle with the lies that He’s left us fending for ourselves in hard times. His Word is filled with reminders that He fights for us still today. It never says this life will be easy. He never promises that we won’t get weary, or that we won’t face an enemy or a giant. But He does say we can come to Him and He will give us rest. He does promise to fill us with the power of His Spirit and that His joy will be our strength. He does remind us that the battle is not ours but the Lord’s. He does say that we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against the spiritual forces of darkness in this life.

In Exodus 17, the Israelites were facing a fierce enemy. The Amakelites were approaching. They killed for sport and were on the attack against God’s people. Moses told them that as Joshua led the people in battle, he would go up to the top of the hill and hold out the staff of the Lord over them. And God’s Word tells us that for as long as his hands were held up, the Israelites were winning, but when his arms got weary, the enemy began to overtake them. So Aaron and Hur came, and held up his hands. One on one side, and one on the other.  And a miracle happened that day. Even though all odds were stacked against them, the people defeated this strong enemy.  For God is stronger than any enemy we face. He gave them victory, for they believed, “The Lord is my banner…For hands were lifted up to the throne of the Lord.” v. 15-16

This story reminds us that some days, even the best of leaders, even the strongest…can get weary. 

Even those who know Truth, even those who walk closely with God, who believe in Him and in His power, even they…can get tired.

None of us are immune. Life is hard some days. And often there’s not even just one “big” thing, but just lots of little battles that can drain us dry. Parenting, marriage, job, relationships, fears, worries about the future, experiencing loss, discouragement, illness, money problems – it all can leave us beaten down and worn. But, praise God, He gives us one another to help in times when we just feel like, “I can’t anymore…”

We’re all in this life thing together, let’s help each other today. Give an encouraging word, smile at someone, write a note, send a text, buy someone a coffee, pray for another soul and let them know that you’re praying, anything, just to remind a fellow believer that you’re holding up their battle-weary arms. And that you’re with them.

And God is with us.

He will never fail us.

We can lift up our hands, no matter how tired we might feel, to the throne of grace, our Lord Almighty.

He will give us strength, He will bring the victory, even when we feel outnumbered or too tired to keep pressing on.

So thankful for His truth.

Peace to you this day, He’s fighting for you.

And He won’t let go.

“Dear God,

The battle feels intense some days. We get tired and weak, weary and worn. It’s hard to keep going in the face of defeat. But help us to remember that you will never leave us, that you’re our Refuge and our Strength, an ever-present help in trouble. We know that the enemy wouldn’t be fighting so hard against us, if we weren’t making a difference for your Kingdom. He wouldn’t be trying so hard to stop us, if he didn’t think you had so much good still in store. Remind us that the battle belongs to you, and whatever we’re up against can be taken down in one fail swoop by your Mighty Hand. Help us to trust you more, to never waste time spinning our wheels and wrestling or fighting in our strength. Please forgive us Lord for the times we’ve failed to lift our hands to you, for the days we’ve forgotten to come to you first. Fill us with the Power of your Holy Spirit this day. Fill us with your joy, fill us with your wisdom and discernment, fill us with constant reminders that Your Presence will go with us, and you will give us rest.

Thank you for the victories in our lives, that have no explanation except, “God did this.” We give you the glory and honor for all that you’re doing in our lives every day, even in the times we can’t see it all, or understand your ways.

Help us to keep our eyes on you. Help us to see when another soul around us needs to be encouraged too. Help us to be faithful to carry one another’s burdens, remembering that we’re all in this life together, and there’s great power in unity.

We love you and we need you. We lift up our hearts and hands to worship you. Thank you that your banner over us is love.

In the Mighty Name of Jesus we pray,

Amen.”

11 Reminders of Hope for the Battle-Weary:

“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” Ps. 73:26

“The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. He will drive out your enemies before you…” Deut. 33:27

“The battle belongs to the Lord…” 1 Sam. 17:47

“The LORD replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” Ex. 33:14

“’Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the LORD Almighty.” Zech. 4:6

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Deut. 31:6

“…Do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” Neh. 8:10

“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” Ps. 46:1

“The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.” Ex. 14:14

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matt. 11:28

“Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.” Eph. 6:11-13

Debbie McDaniel is a writer, pastor's wife, mom to three amazing kids (and a lot of pets). Join her each morning on Fresh Day Ahead's facebook page, DebbieWebbMcDaniel, for daily encouragement in living strong, free, hope-filled lives. Find her also at Twitter and at http://debbiemcdaniel.com.