When You Feel Hopeless, Pray Specifically - Daily Hope with Rick Warren - April 6, 2024
When You Feel Hopeless, Pray Specifically By Rick Warren
“I called to the LORD in my distress, and he answered me. From the depths of my watery grave I cried for help, and you heard my cry.” Jonah 2:2 (GW)
When you’re feeling hopeless, you need to figure out where that feeling is coming from—and then you can begin to pray specifically for what you need. That’s how God wants you to talk with him.
As you pray specifically, I encourage you to take Scripture and pray it back to God. Praying from God’s Word is the key to asking God for help!
That’s what Jonah did when he sank into the ocean and was swallowed by a large fish. In his short prayer in Jonah 2, he prayed eight different Scriptures. Everything he said is a quote from the book of Psalms. Jonah was obviously well-versed in Scripture.
What verses should you pray back to God?
Pray the laments to God. When you’re angry, go back to one of the laments in Psalms or the book of Lamentations and pray those complaints back to God.
Pray the truth about God. Pray what the Bible says about God—about his goodness, his fairness, and his justice. All of those topics are in the Bible.
Pray the promises of God. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve prayed, “God, I need you to keep your word. I need you to do what you’ve promised.” Then I’ll pray one of the promises of God I’ve memorized.
Make a point to study God’s Word every single day so that, like Jonah, you can pray God’s Word back to him. And as you do, God will bring hope back into your life.
For more Daily Hope with Rick Warren, please visit pastorrick.com!
Discover God’s Pathway to Healing and Wholeness!
Everyone faces challenges in life—but you don’t have to stay stuck in them!
The Life’s Healing Choices Bible study from Pastor Rick offers a powerful, biblically grounded pathway to freedom and transformation.
Rooted in the Beatitudes of Jesus, this 8-session video* and workbook study will guide you to . . .
• Break free from pain and unhealthy habits. • Find true happiness and experience spiritual growth. • Build a life of wholeness and healing in Christ.
The Life’s Healing Choices Bible study is our thanks for your gift below to help take the hope of Jesus to more people through Daily Hope—so request your copy today!
We’re grateful for your partnership!
*Video is available in DVD or streaming formats. The workbook will be mailed to you.
*The USA IRS code permits you to deduct the amount of your financial gift to Daily Hope that exceeds the fair market value of materials you received from Daily Hope.