35 Prayers for Hard Times (+ Bible Verses)

So, you’re going through a tough time, huh? You’re not alone. We all hit bumps in the road, and sometimes those bumps feel like mountains. This is where prayer can be your lifeline.

Think of it as having a heart-to-heart with God — getting all your worries out, asking for a bit of wisdom, or maybe just seeking a quiet moment in the middle of the chaos. And for those times when you’re lost for words, Bible verses are like roadmap signs pointing you in the right direction.

So, stick around! This article is packed with prayers and scriptures that can be your go-to support during those hard days.

Let’s get started:

Prayers for Emotional Support

Prayer for Peace of Mind
“Dear God, life feels overwhelming right now, and my thoughts are racing from one worry to another. Please grant me the peace that surpasses all understanding. Calm my mind, settle my heart, and let me feel Your comforting presence. Amen.”

Prayer for Inner Strength
“Heavenly Father, I feel worn out and weak, and the road ahead looks so long. Please give me the strength I need to go on. Let Your power be made perfect in my weakness. Help me trust that with You, I can overcome any obstacle. Amen.”

Prayer for Hope in Despair
“Dear Lord, I find myself sinking into despair and it’s hard to see any light ahead. Please fill my heart with hope. Remind me that even when things look bad, You are still good, and Your plans for me are still for prosperity and happiness. Amen.”

Prayer for Emotional Healing
“God Almighty, my heart is broken and I don’t know how to fix it. Please come into the depths of my emotional pain and bring Your healing. Replace my sorrow with joy, my fear with courage, and my doubts with certainty in Your love. Amen.”

Prayer for Letting Go of Anger
“Heavenly Father, I feel such anger and bitterness, and it’s eating away at me. Help me let go of this darkness. Fill me with Your love and understanding so that I can forgive those who have wronged me, just as You have forgiven me. Amen.”

Prayer for Overcoming Anxiety
“Dear God, my anxiety is taking over my life and I feel trapped. Please lift this burden from me. Let me cast all my anxieties on You, knowing You care for me. Replace my worries with Your peace and my fear with Your courage. Amen.”

Prayer for Self-Love and Acceptance
“Dear Lord, I often struggle with loving myself and recognizing my worth. Please help me to see myself as You see me. Fill me with a sense of self-love and self-acceptance, so that I can better serve You and others. Let me remember that I am fearfully and wonderfully made in Your image. Amen.”

Prayers for Physical Well-being

Prayer for Healing from Illness
“Heavenly Father, I’m not feeling well and I’m scared. Please lay Your healing hands on me and restore me to full health. Bless the doctors and nurses caring for me, and guide them in their work. Amen.”

Prayer for Strength in Physical Suffering
“Dear God, my body is aching and the pain feels unbearable. Please give me the strength to endure this suffering with grace. Let Your comfort wash over me, and if it’s Your will, relieve me of this physical pain. Amen.”

Prayer for Protection from Harm
“God Almighty, I’m facing situations that could bring harm to me. I ask for Your protection over my life. Let Your angels guard me and keep me safe from dangers, both seen and unseen. Amen.”

Prayer for Safe Travel
“Dear Lord, I’m about to travel and I’m filled with a mixture of excitement and anxiety. Please guide my steps and keep me safe during my journey. Watch over everyone traveling with me as well. Amen.”

Prayer for Recovery after Surgery
“Dear God, as I go into surgery, I place myself in Your hands. Bless the surgeons and medical staff looking after me. Help me to recover swiftly and return to full health. Amen.”

Prayer for Endurance in Physical Challenges
“Heavenly Father, I’m pushing my body to its limits and I feel worn out. Please give me the endurance and resilience to continue. Help me to use this physical challenge as a way to grow stronger, both in body and spirit. Amen.”

Prayer for Immunity and Wellness
“God Almighty, I ask for Your shield of wellness over me and my loved ones. Protect us from viruses, illnesses, and any form of physical harm. Let our bodies be strong and resilient, functioning as the amazing creations they are. Amen.”

Prayers for Relationships

Prayer for Family Unity
“Heavenly Father, tension and disagreements have crept into our family. Please knit our hearts together in unity and love. Help us to communicate better, to forgive freely, and to show kindness to each other. Amen.”

Prayer for Friendships
“Dear God, friendships can be such a source of joy, but they can also bring pain. Please bless my friendships and make them strong. Let us support each other, listen with open hearts, and celebrate our ups and downs together. Amen.”

Prayer for Love and Partnerships
“Dear Lord, love can be as confusing as it is beautiful. Please guide my relationship. Let our love be patient, our communication be honest, and our trust in each other unshakable. Amen.”

Prayer for Healing Broken Relationships
“Heavenly Father, a significant relationship in my life is broken and it weighs heavily on my heart. Please provide a path for reconciliation. Help both parties to forgive and to mend what has been broken. Amen.”

Prayer for Wisdom in Relationships
“God Almighty, please give me wisdom in my relationships. Help me to set healthy boundaries, to love generously, but also to protect my own heart and well-being. Amen.”

Prayer for New Relationships
“Dear God, I’m stepping into a new relationship and I’m filled with hope but also anxiety. Guide me and this new person in my life. May we bring out the best in each other and honor You in our actions and decisions. Amen.”

Prayer for Loneliness
“Dear Lord, I feel so alone right now, as if no one understands me. Please bring meaningful relationships into my life — relationships that will mutually enrich and uplift me. Help me also to be a good friend to those in need. Amen.”

Prayers for Financial Stability

Prayer for Immediate Financial Needs
“Heavenly Father, I’m in a tough spot financially and I don’t see a way out. Please provide for my immediate needs and guide me towards stability. Help me trust that You will sustain me, as You’ve promised to provide for all our needs. Amen.”

Prayer for Job Security
“Dear God, the stress of possibly losing my job is overwhelming. Please protect my position and guide my actions at work. Grant me favor with my superiors and colleagues, so that I may continue to earn a livelihood. Amen.”

Prayer for Business Success
“Dear Lord, my business is going through a difficult time and I’m worried about its future. Please bless my efforts and make them fruitful. Guide me in making wise decisions that will lead to growth and success. Amen.”

Prayer for Wisdom in Financial Decisions
“God Almighty, I have some big financial decisions to make and I’m not sure what to do. Please give me wisdom to manage my resources effectively. Show me the right path, and help me to walk in it. Amen.”

Prayer for Paying Off Debts
“Dear God, my debts are piling up and it feels like a mountain I can’t climb. Please provide me with the means to settle these debts. Help me manage my finances better so I can be free from this burden. Amen.”

Prayer for Increasing Income
“Heavenly Father, I’m struggling to make ends meet with my current income. Please open doors for better job opportunities or additional ways to earn. Let prosperity flow into my life in a way that honors You. Amen.”

Prayer for Contentment
“Dear Lord, in a world that constantly wants more, help me find contentment in what I have. While I ask for financial stability, let me also find richness in love, joy, and peace in my life. Amen.”

Prayers for Global Issues

Prayer for World Peace
“Heavenly Father, the state of the world is unsettling, and the absence of peace is felt deeply. Please guide our leaders and decision-makers toward paths of peace. Heal the divisions between nations and peoples, so that we may live without fear and suffering. Amen.”

Prayer for Environmental Stewardship
“Dear Lord, the Earth is suffering from neglect and abuse. Help us be better stewards of Your creation. Inspire those with influence to enact policies that protect the environment, and give each of us a heart for conservation. Amen.”

Prayer for Social Justice
“God Almighty, the cries for justice ring out across the globe. Please guide us in creating a world where equality isn’t just a dream but a reality for all. Illuminate the path for those who are working to enact change and bring justice to the oppressed. Amen.”

Prayer for the Hungry and Homeless
“Dear God, it breaks my heart to think of those without enough to eat or a place to sleep. Please provide for the basic needs of those who are suffering. Stir in us a desire to be Your hands and feet, serving those in need. Amen.”

Prayer for Victims of War
“Heavenly Father, I cannot imagine the fear and pain experienced by those living in war-torn regions. Protect them, Lord. Bring an end to conflicts and restore peace. Use me and others to offer support and love to those who are suffering. Amen.”

Prayer for Medical Access
“Dear Lord, so many people suffer because they can’t get the medical help they need. Please improve access to healthcare around the world. Touch the hearts of those in power to make compassionate choices for their people. Amen.”

Prayer for the Marginalized and Forgotten
“God Almighty, society often overlooks those who don’t seem to ‘fit in.’ Please let the marginalized and forgotten feel Your love and find their place in the world. Equip us to extend love and help to those who feel left out. Amen.”


Bible Verses to Lighten Up the Hard Times

Below is a selection of Bible verses that are like life’s emergency kit for those hard times. Stick around, because these verses might just be the pick-me-up your soul needs.

For Emotional Support: Isaiah 41:10

"Fear thou not, for I am with thee; be not dismayed, for I am thy God; I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness."

This verse serves as a warm embrace from God, reminding you that you’re never alone in your challenges.

The opening phrase “Fear thou not” is a direct assurance to let go of your worries. It assures you that God is with you, so you won’t have to face life’s troubles alone. The verse also reinforces that God hasn’t left you; He’s still looking out for you.

What’s more, it ends with promises of strength and help, saying “I will,” affirming God’s commitment to you. Keep this verse close to your heart for comfort and encouragement during hard times.

For Physical Well-Being: Jeremiah 17:14

"Heal me, O Jehovah, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved; for thou art my praise."

This verse is particularly striking when you’re grappling with issues of physical well-being. Jeremiah 17:14 isn’t just a cry for help; it’s a declaration of faith. “Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed,” goes beyond asking for physical relief. It’s an acknowledgment that true healing, the sort that addresses both body and soul, comes from God.

When you find yourself burdened by health challenges or when the world seems plagued by sickness, this is a verse to lean on. In praying these words, “save me, and I shall be saved,” you’re not just asking for a one-off miracle. You’re recognizing God as your ongoing savior, the source of your ultimate well-being.

The verse wraps up by reminding us to praise God, affirming that even in times of hardship, recognizing and praising God’s role in our lives is crucial. Take this verse to heart; let it imbue your prayers for health with faith and gratitude.

For Relationships: 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

"Love suffereth long, and is kind; love envieth not; love vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not its own, is not provoked, taketh not account of evil; rejoiceth not in unrighteousness, but rejoiceth with the truth; beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things."

When you’re wrestling with relational issues, whether it’s with family, friends, or a significant other, this passage is your go-to guide.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 is often called the “Love Chapter,” and it sets the gold standard for what love should look like. This isn’t about fleeting emotions or momentary passions; it’s about a deep, enduring love that withstands the trials of life.

In a society that often confuses love with infatuation or possession, these verses remind us that true love is selfless and patient. It’s not about what you can get, but what you can give.

When you find yourself caught in the webs of complicated relationships, don’t just skim over these words — let them sink in. Use this scripture as a blueprint in your prayers for relationships, asking God to help you love in a way that “beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.”

For Financial Stability: Philippians 4:19

"And my God shall supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus."

Financial struggles can weigh you down like few other things can. When bills pile up or you’re worried about job stability, it’s easy to lose hope. That’s when Philippians 4:19 becomes an anchor.

This scripture says, And my God shall supply every need of yours,” not some needs, not minor needs, but every need. It’s a powerful assurance that God is looking out for you, even when the numbers don’t seem to add up.

The phrase “according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus” adds another layer of comfort. This isn’t about scraping by or just getting what you need to survive. It suggests that God’s abundance is vast and generous, able to meet your needs in a way that brings glory to Him.

When you’re down on your luck financially, remember to lean on this verse in your prayers. Ask God to provide for you in a way that transcends worldly limitations, yet meets your earthly needs.

For Global Issues (Peace): Matthew 5:9

"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called sons of God."

In times when the world seems to be at odds — whether it’s conflicts within your family or global issues that weigh heavily on your mind — Matthew 5:9 offers both a comfort and a calling.

It starts with the word “Blessed,” affirming that the act of making peace isn’t just a burden; it’s a blessing. This verse challenges us not just to seek peace but to make it, to be proactive in resolving disputes and healing wounds.

When tensions are high, it’s often easier to be a peacekeeper, tiptoeing around issues to avoid conflict. But this scripture encourages us to be peacemakers, to address the root issues, and to foster genuine harmony. It’s a tougher, braver path, but it’s the one that leads to authentic peace.

The verse concludes by promising that peacemakers “shall be called sons of God,” elevating the role to a divine calling.

When you find yourself amid strife, whether in your community or your own heart, reflect on this verse. Incorporate it into your prayers, asking God to equip you with the courage and wisdom to be a peacemaker in a world that desperately needs it.

For Global Issues (Environment): Genesis 8:22

"While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease."

When you’re going through a tough period, whether it’s personal loss, environmental worries, or just a series of bad days, Genesis 8:22 serves as a reassuring reminder.

This verse, set in the aftermath of the Flood, speaks to the unwavering cycles of life on Earth. It promises that as long as the Earth remains, the natural rhythms of seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, will continue.

This continuity serves as a metaphor for your own life. Just as the Earth experiences seasons, so do you. There will be times of planting and times of reaping; periods of chill and warmth. It’s all part of a grand, divine design.

Incorporate this verse into your prayers when you feel like life is too chaotic or unpredictable. Ask God to help you see the bigger picture and to trust in the natural ebbs and flows of your own life. It’s a way to find comfort in the permanence of change and the eternal nature of God’s promises.

For Global Issues (Social Justice): Micah 6:8

"He hath showed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth Jehovah require of thee, but to do justly, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with thy God?"

In hard times, it’s easy to lose sight of what’s truly important. Micah 6:8 is a guidepost that illuminates the essentials: act justly, love kindness, and walk humbly with your God. This simple, yet profound, scripture provides a moral compass when you’re feeling lost or overwhelmed.

When things get complicated, boil it down to these three tenets:

  • Are you acting with fairness and justice?
  • Are you approaching others with kindness, empathy, and love?
  • Are you being humble in your relationship with God, acknowledging that His plan may be greater than your immediate understanding?

Make this verse part of your prayers when you’re navigating difficulties. Ask God for the strength and wisdom to live out these principles, even when it’s tough. It serves as a succinct but powerful roadmap for a life well-lived, especially when times are hard.


Life throws curveballs, and sometimes it feels like you’re running on empty. That’s when you need a little extra help to keep going.

The prayers and Bible verses shared in this article are like a comforting chat with a good friend when you’re down, or a loving hug for your soul. They remind you that you’re not alone and that even in the darkest times, there’s a source of light and strength you can turn to.

Take these prayers with you like a pocketful of hope. Say them when you’re stressed, lonely, or just need to feel grounded. You’ve got this, and more importantly, God’s got you! Keep the faith, keep praying, and remember: hard times might shape you, but they don’t define you.

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Jessa Claire is a registered healthcare provider. Music lover. Daydreamer. Thalassophile. Foodie. A hardworking Capricorn. Most days, an incurable empath. An old soul. Down-to-earth. Vibrant. When she's not writing, she can be seen relaxing with headphones on or engrossed in her favorite fan fiction book.