When You Need God's Strength Again - Your Nightly Prayer - October 17
Your Nightly Prayer
Audio By Carbonatix
By Shea Smith, Crosswalk.com
When You Need God's Strength Again
TONIGHT’S SCRIPTURE
“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 40:29-31
SOMETHING TO PONDER
Being tired and weary doesn’t mean you have failed or missed the mark on something. Sometimes weariness is a direct result of doing good and wholeheartedly putting yourself into something. Other times, we can use our level of exhaustion as a question to ask ourselves, “Is what I am doing a calling from God or an invitation to seek rest and sabbath?”
Do a full body scan as you answer these questions honestly:
How is your mind? Do you feel centered on God, or are you trying to gather all the scattered thoughts?
How is your heart? Name the things or people tugging on your heart and causing division.
How does your body feel? Are you healthy? Does something seem off?
Finally, in your life, where are you tired or weary?
Our Scripture tonight starts with the best news ever! He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. As you reflect upon your answers to our questions above, name the places where you need God’s strength and invite Him in.
As we read more into our Scripture, we are reminded, “Those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength.” Hope is not wishful thinking or happy optimism. Hope is rooted in who God is and the promises He has made. Hope is placing your confidence in God, not in your circumstances or in how you feel. God isn’t asking us to muster more strength from within ourselves, but instead, invites us to place our hope in Him. Hope is what we hang on to when weariness is present. You may not know how you will keep going, but God already has a rescue plan in place. What comfort!
The final piece to our verse this evening says, “They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint” (Isaiah 40:31). Not every season is a soaring season. If you’re burnt out, seek weekly Sabbath, daily time with God, and allow yourself to say no to things, people, or events that won’t energize you. Allow His presence to keep you walking, one step at a time, relying upon His strength and not your own.
Finding new strength isn’t on you. God has lovingly offered it. Tonight, invite the Holy Spirit to refresh your heart, mind, and body, letting go of the draining past season and allowing God to breathe new life into your lungs and energy into your soul!
Tonight, you don’t need a game plan to strive, hustle, or try harder tomorrow. The same God who carried you through the draining season is the same God who is going to renew and prepare you for the next season. Receive his strength, rest, peace, and most importantly, His presence.
YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER
Lord,
Thank you for being my safe place to bear my heart and soul. I come to you tired. My energy has been drained, and I need your refreshment. You offer strength, and I need it tonight! I exchange all that I’ve come with and lay it at your feet. I surrender to the circumstances I cannot change and ask for your wisdom and insight. Father, you are so good, and your presence is peace. As I sleep tonight, restore me and align my energy to the work you have for me.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
THREE THINGS TO MEDITATE ON
What has caused weariness in your life lately?
Meditate on the word “hope.” What is your hope connected to?
In your own words, praise God for the strength and refreshment He is already imparting to you tonight.
Go Deeper: When You’re Emotionally Exhausted: Finding Hope and Strength to Keep Going
Have you ever finished a long day, looked at everything you didn’t get done, and felt like you were falling behind? I have. Sometimes we’re carrying far more than anyone can see, yet we still expect ourselves to keep going as though nothing is heavy. This week on The Love Offering Podcast, I’m talking with Leslie M. Bosserman, author of Emotional Endurance, about what it takes to move through setbacks and disappointment with hope. If you like what you hear, be sure to follow The Love Offering on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode!
Photo Credit: © Getty Images - kieferpix
When Shea is not chopping tiny food up for her three tiny humans, or pitching Chipotle to her high school sweetheart-turned-husband, you can find her doing the following: Feeding her sourdough starter (aka 4th child) and baking bread. Putting her Master of Divinity to work by furiously typing about Jesus during naptimes. Posting encouragement and #momlife reels on Instagram. Conquering virtual hills on her Peloton. Renovating "the dream home" with her husband. Co-hosting her church's podcast. Homeschooling the littles. Leading a Barre class. Preaching, teaching, and storytelling. And finally, pretending she will keep her indoor plants alive...this time! You can connect with Shea on Instagram at @SheaHsmith, visit her website at www.sheahsmith.com, and keep up with her posts by signing up here.
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