4 Refreshing Prayers for Energy When You're Feeling Burnt Out
- Lia Martin Contributing Writer
- Updated Feb 25, 2021
...but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. – Isaiah 40:31
Living is full of doing. It begins with learning to take responsibility for ourselves and escalates into limitless opportunities to nurture, guide, and serve others. The ways in which we can pour ourselves out are endless.
Yet our earthly abilities are finite.
There are physical and spiritual limits on how long and how much we can expend and still be walking in the light from a center of love.
As Christians, the temptation to over-function is pervasive. Guilt, people-pleasing, pride, and a host of other illusions have their insidious way with us. As it says in 2 Corinthians 11:14, “...no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.”
Despite this life that so many of us are pseudo-controlling like crazy to our own demise, God has a better plan. A promised land, in fact, where we will enter a fulfilling time of purposeful, active living called God’s rest.
God doesn’t need us to burn out. He desires that we believe. In this article we'll explore a few examples of a prayer for energy, so you can go to him when you feel stressed and burnt out.
Why Do We Lose Energy So Easily?
We live in a very “busy” world. And we’re given only these fragile, broken vessels to shine.
We’re essentially created with the attraction to sin, and offered a way to freedom by faith. But the road is messy. And we’re not perfect. Anger, shame, sadness, and a slew of perplexing emotions (as well as the troubles we’re promised but can’t predict) can claim our focus.
Newsfeeds, gossip, meanness, murder, and so much more can tap us out emotionally. Deadlines, demands, and diets deplete us physically.
It’s tough in our “have-it-all” and “do-it-all” world to keep giving it all and thrive. We lose energy when overstimulated because it’s how we’re designed. Also, we’re prone to get stuck in habits or routines that aren’t exactly refreshing.
The Bible shows us, however, that a godly life of refreshment is about deciding. It’s making choices that renew our souls.
Revival from the ashes of burnout requires the grace of God. With ourselves, and toward others. And one of the best ways to receive that healing grace is through prayer.
4 Refreshing Prayers for Energy When You’re Feeling Burnt Out
God shows us in the Bible that resurrection is in his hands. He draws close to the brokenhearted (Psalm 147:3). He will never leave you in deep waters (Isaiah 43:2). He can restore you even when you’re so burnt out, you’re as “done” as Elijah is 1 Kings 19:4, running in the wilderness from what just might kill him.
Best of all, when you’re completely burnt out, God already knows. He’s patient for you to open the door in prayer, and let him refresh you.
1. Prayer for Energy: A Prayer of Compassion
Dear God, I feel my life is spinning out of control. I have the best intentions, but I wind up feeling resentful, and not in the best state of mind. In all my taking care of others’ needs, will you show me how to care for my own?
I know you don’t desire me to self-destruct in service to others, but rather, to value others as I value myself. I need your guidance on what tasks I can remove from my life, so I can add in some of what delights me.
Put your words in front of me, anywhere I’ll see them, that train me toward your peace. Help me stop condemning myself for not being enough. Soften my heart to care for myself like you do, so that I can be refilled with compassion for others. In Jesus’ name, amen.
2. A Prayer to Receive Rest
Abba, you whisper to me in Gospel of Mark, “Come with me by yourself to a quiet place and get some rest.” Why do I not follow? What is it about this noisy world that rattles my ability to rest in the good things you provide?
Help me, God, to use my shield of faith against the voices clamoring for my heart. Help me to stop serving two masters, and live for you. Your plan from the beginning commands rest. You call it holy in Genesis 2:3.
Give me conviction that your invitation to rest is more valuable than my accomplishments. Quiet my spirit, God, to feel secure in your protection.
Put your loving hand on my weary heart and give me rest. In Jesus’ name, amen.
3. Prayer for Energy: A Prayer for Refreshment
Dear Lord, I’m so burnt out. I’ve been getting up too early, going to bed too late, giving up the things I know would restore me. I get so stuck in my stress of doing too much and worrying even more...that I need your divine intervention to pull me back onto your path. A path where burdens are light because I’m yoked to you, not my fears or ego.
Tend to me, Jesus, like the desolate woman at the well, with your refreshing living water. Drain me of the despair that frazzles me and fill me to overflowing with your love. Nourish me from the vine so I can bear fruit that is nourishing to others. In your name I pray, amen.
4. A Prayer for Restoration
God, I know you bring to life what appears to be dead. I come to you now with a spirit that’s all but perishing. I feel like a heap of cinders without any flame of hope.
Refill me, God, as only you know how. Heal my wounds so I am ready for what you desire. Show me I can stand, rethink, change direction, and know that you have a purpose for me. Renew my reserves. Be my reward.
Take my eyes off my problems and bring me back to a life of knowing I am loved even in my weakness. Restore my joy, Lord, as surely as you renew each day. Amen.
What Does the Bible Say about Energy?
There are so many beautiful biblical offers of living water, bread of life, and rest for the weary to draw from in times of burnout. What we get when we refill on God is his energy, which is greater than our own.
The Message version of the Bible explains in Philippians 2 that when we’re tuned in to God, we’re energized. And when we come to him for renewal, knowing that he alone can save us, we share him as the light of the world.
Be energetic in your life of salvation, reverent and sensitive before God. That energy is God's energy, an energy deep within you, God himself willing and working at what will give him the most pleasure. Do everything readily and cheerfully - no bickering, no second-guessing allowed! Go out into the world uncorrupted, a breath of fresh air in this squalid and polluted society. Provide people with a glimpse of good living and of the living God. – Philippians 2:12-15 (MSG)
When burnout threatens to steal your joy, open yourself to God’s energy in prayer. Claim even the smallest space of prayer time as your personal sabbath. It doesn’t have to be impressive. It doesn’t have to be “too much.”
Just talk with the one who made you for more than this. The one who knows that you’re hurting, overwhelmed, exhausted, or hopeless. Come to him, just as burnt out as you are, and draw from the source of energy that never runs out.
Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. – Isaiah 40:28-31
Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/fizkes
This article is part of our Prayer resource meant to inspire and encourage your prayer life when you face uncertain times. Visit our most popular prayers if you are wondering how to pray or what to pray. Remember, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us, and God knows your heart even if you can't find the words to pray.
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