6 Comforting Prayers to Remind Yourself That God Is in Control

1. Prayers for the World at Large

Father God,

It feels like the world is getting crazier with each and every day. We know that there is nothing new under the sun, as Solomon wisely said in Ecclesiastes 3. Lord, let us not fall into the deception that You are not over the whole world. As the sweet song of our childhood reminded us as babes, let it bless our hearts now, exclaiming, “He’s got the whole world in His hands, He’s got the whole world in His hands.” Lord, please help our hearts not to lose focus on this truth, but rather cling to it with faith and peace. We know the God who split the Red Sea, raised Jesus from the grave, and spoke the universe into existence still holds the world today. Let us hold unswervingly to that beautiful truth.

In Jesus’ Name,

Amen

2. Prayers for Family and Friends

Father God,

We thank you so much for the gift of family and friends. You made us for community and fellowship, and we know that family comes in many forms. Family can come from blood relation, but it can also come from those You give through the body of believers in friendship. Lord, we pray for Your hand in their lives. We care so much, and much of that is because You gave us the capacity and compassion to do so. We so desperately want to control outcomes for them so they may never experience discomfort, but we also know that it is through adversity at times that You do incredible work within us all. Lord, we pray for our friends and families, but ultimately, we pray for Your will and control to be done in their lives so that they may know You more intimately and may be able to say in any circumstance that You are steadfast and with them.

In Jesus’ Name,

Amen

3. Prayers for God’s Control of Timing in Life

Father God,

You know that we like to have things quickly or instantly. It is encouraged by our instant gratification-based world, but it is also something we have always desired as humans. Lord, as much as we want things in our own timing, help us remember that You are an intentional God who knows the correct timing for all things. Psalm 139:15-16 reminds us, “My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.”

We pray that these truths would bring us comfort in Your hand upon our lives. Help us rest in Your control, authorship, and timing so that we may rejoice in knowing You have it all written. In the meantime, help us be readily willing to experience what we must so that we may be prepared for what You have ahead.

In Jesus’ Name,

Amen

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4. Prayers Against the Enemy

Father God,

There is an adversary that seeks to thwart and steal our joy, our peace, and our hope. Lord, we pray against the plots and plans of the enemy. In John 10:10, You share, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life and have it to the full.” We pray for that full life. A full life does not mean a life without trial or issue; it means a life where, despite all that the enemy tries, You are with us in all things and in all ways. We pray against the enemy and pray Psalm 23: 4 & 6, “Even though I walk through the darkest valley,[a] I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Lord, we pray that goodness and mercy may follow us all the days of our lives, and we pray against the schemes of Satan.

In Jesus’ Name,

Amen

5. Prayers for Finances

Father God,

The love of money seeks to control us and how we operate in life. Running after money can appear as if we are merely seeking to have enough in provision to survive, but it can root itself and become an idol in our lives. Lord, we give control of our wallets over to You, and we pray that You will satisfy our hearts by remembering that just as You care for the birds of the air, You will care for us. Lord, please help us in our finances by surrendering control to You. Help us to have more than enough so that we may bless those around us in Your Name. Lord, please allow us not to be controlled by money but to use money as a tool to bless Your Name.

In Jesus’ Name,

Amen

6. Prayers for Surrender

Father God,

We pray in surrender to You. Fear seeks to dominate and control us, but Lord, we pray to connect with You. As Psalm 34:4 expresses, “I sought the Lord, and He answered me, and recused me from all my fears.” 

Lord, we place our fears at Your feet and surrender control to You. We fall into a façade that we have some sort of real control in our lives, but we can only control our reactions to things, our words, and our allegiances. In that, we surrender and give our reactions, words, actions, and allegiance over to You and only You. Father, let us rest in Your control this very day, knowing that we are Your creation, and through faith in Jesus Christ, we are then made Your children. Lord, please surround us with Your presence and help us to be keenly aware of Your voice in our lives. Lastly, Lord, please let us rest in knowing You are in control. We pray just as Jesus taught us to pray that Your Will would be done on earth just as it is done in Heaven, and we rejoice that You are the One Who does not change from age to age (Hebrews 13:8). May we rest in Your peace and under Your goodness.

In Jesus’ Name,

Amen