5 Psalms to Pray that will Help When You Feel Lonely
We’ve never been more connected as a society than we are today.
Social media has given us more “friends” than ever before. We get clicks and likes and shares. We feel loved when something we share goes “viral” and unloved when something else is ignored.
Psychologists tell us that in spite of all the connections we have online, more and more people say they feel lonely … as we’ve replaced real-life relationships with online “friendships.”
Loneliness is something the Bible could refer to as being “common to man.”
Solomon says there is “nothing new under the sun.”
Since the first death, the first rejection, or the first time someone was left out … loneliness has been a part of our sin-infected world.
But God…
[Oh wow, those are my two favorite words!]
But God told us that He cares about the lonely … about widows and orphans and those who feel abandoned and forsaken.
So, if you include yourself among those who feel lonely today, please join me in praying…
5 Psalms to Pray that will Help When You Feel Lonely
Turn to me and have mercy,
Psalm 25:16
for I am alone and in deep distress.
Father, Thank you for David’s honesty. It helps me to know that my loneliness is not unique or at all unusual. Even the one You called “a man after my own heart” experienced distress … times when he felt like no one understood him or what he was doing through.
I get it! I think that’s where some of my loneliness comes from. I look around and it looks like so many others have their act together and well, I don’t even feel close to that.
I need You, Lord.
Why am I discouraged?
Psalm 43:5
Why is my heart so sad?
I will put my hope in God!
I will praise Him again—
my Savior and my God!
Father, Why is it that I have these days when it feels like no one understands. I can be standing with people who clearly tell me they love me or be surrounded by a room full of people, and still … my thoughts make me feel isolated and alone.
Please be my encourager. I need You! I want to keep my focus on You, Lord. I want to think about all You have done for me in the past. I want to remember that this feeling is temporary.
You are my hope … my Savior and my God! Thank you!
He heals the brokenhearted
Psalm 147:3–5
and bandages their wounds.
He counts the stars
and calls them all by name.
How great is our Lord! His power is absolute!
His understanding is beyond comprehension!
Father, I am not alone. You are the One who created the heavens, counts the stars and knows their names. You created me and Your Word tells me You know everything about me … even the number of hairs on my head. (Matthew 10:30) That is beyond my ability to understand.
What I do understand … the times You have comforted my broken heart, the times You have given me hope when things appeared hopeless, the times You have forgiven me and covered me with Your love.
I am not alone! You are with me. Thank you, Lord!
The Lord keeps you from all harm
Psalm 121:7–8
and watches over your life.
The Lord keeps watch over you
as you come and go,
both now and forever.
Father, thank you for watching over me … for protecting me. Jesus promised to always be with those who trust and follow Him. (Matthew 28:20) He promised the Holy Spirit, the Helper, the Comforter. (John 14:16)
With You, I am never alone. You are with me to comfort, guide, and strengthen me. Please make me aware that You are watching over me wherever I am … always.
You are my peace, my strength, and my hope. Thank you, Lord! Amen.
You go before me and follow me.
Psalm 139:5–6
You place your hand of blessing on my head.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too great for me to understand!
Father, Thank you! The truth-filled knowledge of Your constant loving presence in my life is wonderful! It is my greatest blessing.
When I’m feeling lonely, I’ll admit, I spend a lot of time thinking about myself. When I center my heart and mind on You and all You have done and continue to do for me, I experience Your hard to understand gift of peace and supernatural joy.
And then … I’m able to reach out. To look for someone else I might help or encourage and I know from experience the best way to be free of feelings of sadness, discouragement, and loneliness is to go out and bless someone who needs Your love and encouragement.
When I feel lonely, Lord, give me eyes to see those who are lonely around me, a heart that understands and cares, and the courage to reach out with Your love.
By Your grace and for Your glory. Amen.
When you feel lonely…
I love the above quote by Kay Arthur.
And this one from Elizabeth Elliot…
Loneliness comes over us sometimes as a sudden tide. It is one of the terms of our humanness, and, in a sense, therefore, incurable. Yet I have found peace in my loneliest times not only through acceptance of the situation but through making it an offering to God, who can transfigure it into something for the good of others.
Maybe their words are the perfect responses to those times I feel alone…
Rest in God’s perfect love, humbly lay my feelings at the throne of grace, and look for ways use my struggle with loneliness to bless someone else.
With God’s help … we can all feel lonely a little less often!
‘But God’ is one of my favorite sayings too Deb! It’s true we are the most connected global society of all time & the loneliest.
But God…
Bless you,
Jennifer
Thank you so much for sharing,it really help,God bless you.
These Psalms are so perfectly encouraging for those lonely places. Happy to share!
Hey Deb, I agree with the experts, there’s never been more opportunities to connect with people across the globe, and never more loneliness due to the interpersonal parts of relationships replaced with behind-the-screen connections. Love your thoughts and verses on how to pray during times of loneliness.
Also wanted to tell you that when I clicked on Deborah’s post, 14 Helpful Apps for Engaging the Scripture, it’s Diane’s link from last week about friends betraying us.
I think you are spot-on, Deb, when you say that loneliness is part of the human condition. In those times, we do need to turn to God for comfort and peace. He is there, ready and waiting, to grant it to us.
Blessings, my friend!
It is not so much that I feel lonely (even though I am alone now) but these Psalms hold such comforting Truths that no matter how I feel, they hold me near. Thank you for them.
It’s true. God is such a wonderful source of comfort and peace when we feel lonely. Thank you for this encouraging post!
I was looking for a verse of encouragement for my son when I came across your site. I want to thank you for sharing your wisdom, The Bible, and your thoughts. It’s like you are speaking to me and the verses are for me. I would not be anywhere without the love, mercy, and faith of Jesus Christ. You are such an encouragement to me. I share these post with my son who is in great distress, brokenness, and loneliness.
Glada, I’m so glad you visited. I’m praying for your son … asking God to heal his hurting heart and assure him of His unfailing love. God bless you!
These are beautiful verses to help when we feel lonely. God is so good at cradling us when we are alone. I went through a period of time where I was pretty isolated from people. There was a purpose in it, and life required it, but it was a HUGE change, especially for a people person. At first, I struggled, but then I learned to go to God. Wow, what a comforter He can be.
Thank you for your wisdom.
Blessings, Maree
Maree, I love the way you have shared your journey. Going through an ongoing struggle like the one your family has can feel very lonely … especially when you feel like people don’t understand. Your courage and the hope you inspire in your readers is a true gift. So thankful the Lord has comforted you and that He encouraged you to be a comfort to others. Praying for you, my friend! God bless!