Simple Prayers for Strength When Your Heart Says “I Can’t”
I can’t!
How often do you wake up thinking those two words? The day ahead has an unwanted appointment, a problem to solve, a relationship conflict to address, or an unpleasant task to perform and the first thought in your head is the groan of a simple … “I can’t.”
I know it’s often more accurate to say, “I don’t want to” … but the enemy plants seeds of fear and exaggerated anxiety that turn something I don’t want to do into something I believe I can’t do.
Why don’t we more quickly remember that the enemy of our souls is a liar?
Jesus said, “He has always hated the truth because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies.” John 8:44b
But Jesus’ half-brother, James, told us what to do when he wrote…
Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. (James 4:7b)
So today, let’s pray 5 verses to help us take our “I can’t” concerns and turn them into reminders that God promises to be with us and give us strength to face whatever the day ahead holds.
Simple Prayers for Strength
When Your Heart Says “I Can’t”
Don’t be afraid, for I am with you.
Isaiah 41:10
Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you.
I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.
Father God, Your Word says You are faithful to keep Your promises. You kept every promise about Jesus and every promise You made to Your Children in the Old and New Testament. And by Your grace, I have experienced Your faithfulness in my life.
I‘ve learned You are trustworthy. So, I will bring my “I can’t” fears to You trusting You are with me. I will surrender my discouragement to You because You are the God of possibilities. And I will count on You to give me the strength and courage I need whatever is going on in my life. Amen.
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Philippians 4:13 (NLV)
Lord, I pray that You will help me make this verse the affirmation of my heart. When I am tempted to say “I can’t” may Your Spirit remind me that I CAN with Your help. You are the One who strengthens me. You are the One who gives me peace today and hope for tomorrow.
You are my Redeemer, my Savior. You have done something I could never do for myself. And because Your Spirit is with and within me, I believe You will give me everything I need to do Your will in Your timing. Amen.
But He said to me, “My grace is enough for you. When you are weak, my power is made perfect in you.” So I am very happy to brag about my weaknesses. Then Christ’s power can live in me.
2 Corinthians 12:9 (NCV)
Father, Your grace flows over my life. You are forgiving, compassionate, generous, kind, and loving … all things I could never earn and don’t deserve. Because of Your generous grace when I am weak and believe “I can’t,” You give me the power to endure life’s challenges and accomplish Your will.
I lay my weaknesses, fears, concerns, and confusion at the foot of the cross asking You to forgive my past and graciously give me the power and courage I need to do what You desire today. Amen.
Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.
Ephesians 6:10–11
Lord, I know that if I want to stand strong in faith, I must not only lay down my weaknesses but pick up and put on the things that You have given to protect me.
I ask You to work in me and help me wear the belt of Truth through the study of Your Word and prayer. I pray to share Your love with others through the Gospel message of Your peace and love. May it be my heart’s desire to be so full of faith that I might resist the enemy and temptation. Please cover me with Jesus’ righteousness and Your saving grace. For Yours is the kingdom, the power, and the glory forever. Amen.
I pray that from His glorious, unlimited resources He will empower you with inner strength through His Spirit. Then Christ will make His home in your hearts as you trust in Him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong.
Ephesians 3:16–17
Heavenly Father, You are the I AM. All creation belongs to You. When I believe “I can’t,” please help me remember that You can. Everything is possible for You and because of Your grace, mercy, and love, You empower me and give me the inner strength I need to accomplish Your will in my life.
Thank you for not only giving me power and strength but for Your promise to grow deep roots of Your love within me. And thank you for making it possible for me to KNOW the height, depth, length, and width of Your love as You revealed it through Jesus.
Because of who You are and all You have done, I will humbly lay down every “I can’t” and replace it with “I can … through Christ who strengthens me. It is in His glorious name, I pray. Amen.
When the enemy wants us to believe we can’t, may we resist him by surrendering ourselves in faith, resisting his lies with God’s promises, and praying for the strength we need to take on the day ahead.
God be with you and bless you and give you daily “I can” strength.
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How much I need at this time to surrender to the Lord, trusting Him to turn the “I can’ts” into “I cans” because of His eternal promises. Thank you and bless you, Deb, for inspiring my hurting heart with such love and knowledge of God’s peace and presence.
Oh Martha, I am sorry your heart is hurting…i will be praying for. I know you to be such a faithful witness and follower of God. I know He will strengthen you through your hurt. Love you, dear sister…
I’m so sorry you are going through a difficult season, Martha! Thank you for faithfully visiting and for always encouraging us with your words of faith and love for the Lord. I’m lifting you up in prayer. God be with you and bless you, sweet friend!
As usual, your words and your prayers so encourage me! Somedays, it is so hard to face the day and so many times I have thought or said, “I can’t.” But in times of my weakness, dread, and/or fear, I remember Isaiah 40:29 HE giveth power to the faint; and to them that hath no might He increaseth strength.
This post also brings to mind, what if Jesus had said, “I can’t?” Thank you, for this most valuable guidance today! Blessings precious friend and may everyone’s “I can’t” moments become an “I can” submission with the unfailing strength of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Praying for you…
What a great point, Kathy! I can’ imagine what our world would be like or what our personal lives would be like if Jesus had chosen to say, “I can’t” rather than willingly give Himself for us. What an awesome God we serve. Blessings and hugs!
Deb, I have cried out to God many times in the last year and a half, “I can’t!” I have cried out in frustration and anxiety and fear, hurt and much pain!! I am going to change that to “I don’t want to!” I don’t want to let the enemy keep attacking where I am weakest. I love the song “Jesus Loves Me!” Especially the part that says, “when I am weak, He is strong.” I am weak!! And I am thankful that you pointed out how the enemy strikes us at our weakest point. I needed that reminder. Some days are harder than others. The one thing I keep in mind is how faithful and compassionate our Lord Jesus is and HIS love for ME and OTHERS. I have others on this site in my daily prayers. I am reminded that we ALL have our trials. Thankfully and gratefully, you give us your wisdom and knowledge. A “God Send!”
I pray that you have a wonderful weekend, and that you know how much you are appreciated. You bring comfort and caring to all. May God bless you the way you bless us. Hugs to you!
What a beautiful and honest sharing, Sue! I can hear the pain of your heart crying out…but from your pain, I also hear a beautiful
song of faith and and a strong testament of trusting God. My sweet and beloved friend, I am praying for your pain. “Crying may go on for a night, but joy shall come in the morning! You are a beautiful light, honest and sincere. May the joy of the Lord be with you! Across the miles, sending you a big and warm hug!!
Thank you Kathy! You are such a huge blessing in my life. I am so encouraged by your thoughtfulness and by the comments you make on this site. You are a good friend and I am so blessed that we keep in touch. It means so much. When I think of Ephesians 4:29 and 30, I think of you. It tells us to speak only of edification and to build each other up. You are such a fine example of that. I appreciate your prayers. I know that when you say you will pray for me or others, you mean it and we are being prayed for. I pray for you too and for Deb and others here who are having their share of trials as well. Being lifted in prayer is such a gift for us and a wonderful gift we can give. God hears all of our prayers. Thank you sweet friend for your encouragement and for your friendship. May you have a wonderful blessed week. Love hugs!!
Ooh Sue, I can tell what a beautiful heart you have for others too! Your comments are always full of grace and sincerity and love for God, and for all of us! You have encouraged and lifted my heart and spirit with every post you so honestly share with us. You are so beautifully and wonderfully made! You are beautiful inside and out and touch hearts you may even know about! I am so thankful for our friendship and the blessing of meeting you here!! God works in such amazing ways to connect us those He knows that we need! You are a gift and blessing to me and no doubt, so many others too! I pray for joy, peace, and healing! Thanking God for you this morning! Have a rejoicing and refreshing day! All my love and hugs, you sweet and dear sister and precious friend!
I hear you, sweet friend. I, too, have done an extra portion of “I can’t” prayers over the past year and a half. You’re also right that so many people are hurting at the moment. We have so many reasons to stay close to the Lord in prayer. What a blessing it is to know He welcomes us, cares, and helps. I hope your weekend is filled with blessings! BIG HUGS!!
Phillipians 4:13 has gotten me through some of my toughest times. My oldest sister said it to me the day my mother asked me to shave her head when her hair was falling out from chemo. I had resisted for several weeks because it broke my heart to think of doing that. I finally brought my clippers to her house and stood in her kitchen trying to prepare myself to do it. That’s when Lyn said “I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me”. I repeated that scripture in my head the whole time the clippers were buzzing and didn’t cry. When I finished, we cleaned Mother up and then my brother said how pretty she looked and asked me to do his. So off came his hair. To this day when I feel troubled or challenged, I repeat this scripture as often as I need to and can feel God’s love and guidance/ comfort to get me through pretty much anything. I just have to be patient with Him. He is so patient with me.
Thank you for sharing this with us, Donna. Thanks a verse I am currently saying several times a day. I trust God’s promise to give me the strength I need because He has faithfully provided it in the past. Your family sounds like it is very close and full of faith. I appreciate you encouraging us with this example of love. I pray that you’re all doing well.
Deb, Thank you for these powerful prayers and the Scriptures as well. May God richly Bless you and keep you
I’m glad it blessed and encouraged you, Amele. Thank you for visiting and for taking the time to let me know. God be with you and bless you!
Very inspiring and courageous topic.
God bless you 🙏
I’m glad it encouraged you! God be with you and bless you!