Are you feeling helpless? Like you just can’t do anything. You can’t change anything, you can fix things going wrong, you don’t have any power at all to make things magically be better.
Things feel so hopeless. You just want to give up. “I’ll throw in the towel. That’s it. I’m done. It’s over. There’s nothing I can do anyway, why bother? Why try?” you think to yourself.
I get it. Oftentimes, we CAN’T control things and it causes us pain. We begin to feel hopeless and it can quickly take us in a downward spiral.
The good news is that we don’t have to figure it all out by ourselves! We can pray for guidance, for strength, and for healing. And we can do this every day for 30 days.
While maybe these prayers won’t change your situation, that’s really only determined by the Lord, they WILL help your mood line up to Scripture and to help you know how to pray in a way that is meaningful when you don’t really know what to pray or what to say to God to ask Him to help.
These prayers are simple, but they can make a big difference in our lives. If you’re feeling hopeless, try praying these prayers each day and see what happens. You may be surprised at the transformation that takes place!
And if you want to print them out, grab the 30 Days of Prayers for Those Feeling Hopeless binder here!
Essential oils also play a huge role in my emotional health, so for those of you who also use oils, I’m putting notes within each emotion to help you deal with that emotion. I can’t tell you how many times essential oils have gotten me through things like suicidal thoughts, and yes, even if you’re a Christian, you’re not immune to thoughts like this. Don’t think there’s anything wrong with you if you are having trouble dealing with life. Even Paul said in the Bible that he’d much rather be dead, with Jesus, than living in the world (Philippians 1:23-26). Thoughts like that happen to everyone at different points in their lives.
It doesn’t matter what brand you use for the essential oils, as long as they are medical grade. Anything else is just colored water with a hint of scent basically and won’t affect your emotions.
Day 1: Suicidal
2 Corinthians 4:8-9 – We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;
Dear Lord, I feel so hopeless right now that I want to die. Nothing is going right and it feels like everything is spiraling out of control. Please help me to see that there is still hope, even in the midst of my heavy difficulties. Help me to trust You and to know that You alone are sovereign and always in control. Thank You for being my Rock and my Salvation.
For thoughts of suicide: smell Melissa essential oil
Day 2: Lack of Faith
1 Corinthians 15:19 – If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.
Lord, I know that You love me and that You have a good plan for my life, but sometimes it seems hard to believe when I’m facing such difficult times. Please help me to trust You, even when things are tough. Help me to remember that nothing is impossible for You. That you are the Ruler of the world and that You can do all things. You love me and will not leave me here forever. Help me to remember this precious truth, Lord. Thank You for Your faithfulness in my life.
Day 3: Surrendering My Burdens
Joshua 1:9 – Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
Father God, I surrender my cares and concerns to You today. I know that You are able to handle them all with incredible ease. Please help me to let go of my own desires and will and to simply trust You that you have all things in my life covered. I know that Your ways are higher than my ways. Help me to follow You and to walk in Your path. Let me take refuge in the shadows of Your wings. Give me hope and encourage my heart today, dear Lord.
Day 4: Heavy Battles
Proverbs 24:10 – If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small.
Sometimes we can feel like we are carrying the world on our shoulders and that we just don’t have the strength to go on. That is when we need to turn to God and ask for His strength. He is always there for us, ready to help us through whatever situation we are facing. All we need to do is ask and have faith that He will help us. We can then rest assured knowing that we are never alone and that God will never abandon us.
Lord, I ask for Your strength today. I feel so weak and tired. I’m fighting a heavy battle. Please help me to find my strength in You and You alone in order that you receive the due praise and worship of a thankful heart. I know that You are always with me and that You will never forsake me. Thank you, Lord, for being my strength when I am weak. For always being that loving Father, who never gives up on me, even though so often I deserve it. Thank You for always calling me back to Your precious love.
For support when you’re weak and tired: be sure to get lots of rest and take some time off from everything
Day 5: Discouraged
Deuteronomy 31:6 – Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”
Heavenly Father, I come to You today feeling utterly discouraged. Please help me to see the good amidst the bad. Help me to find my hope and treasure in You. I know that You are always with me and that You will never give up on me. You work with me daily to create me to be the godly woman that You have called me to be. I thank You for Your love and care. Please help me to continue through this hard trial and persevere, knowing that those that continue in the faith till the very end are rewarded handsomely.
For hope: smell doTerra’s Hope essential oil blend
Day 6: Feeling Lost
Jeremiah 29:11 – For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
Dear God, I’m feeling so lost right now. I don’t know where to turn or what to do. I feel like I have no answers at all and I’m not sure what step to take next. Please help me to find my way back to You. I know that You are the only one who can give me true peace, guidance, and direction. Thank You for being my Shepherd who sustains me through everything.
Day 7: Fearful
Deuteronomy 31:8 – It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.
Lord, I’m struggling with worry and fear right now. I’m scared about my finances. I’m scared that the promises you have given me won’t happen. I’m fearful of the events that are transpiring and feeling helpless. Please help me to cast all my cares on You, knowing that you genuinely care about them (and me) and are working in the situation, even when I can’t see it. Lord, give me confidence in knowing that You are sovereign and in control. Help me to trust You and to know that You will take care of me. Thank You for Your peace.
Day 8: Overwhelm
Isaiah 41:10 – fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Father, I’m feeling so overwhelmed right now. I have so much on my plate and I don’t know how to handle it all. I want to live in peace and have a calmness of my day but the winds of tribulations are blowing severely. Please help me to take one day at a time. Help me to trust You and to know that You will provide for me. Help me to trust in Your promises more than how I’m feeling and my emotions, Lord. Thank You for Your grace and mercy that you disperse to me every single day of my life.
For overwhelm: smell Wild Orange essential oil through out the day
Day 9: Loneliness
Psalm 40:1-3 – I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry. He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord.
Lord, I’m feeling so alone right now. There are so many things going on in the world and it’s making us all so lonely and scattered. I know that You are with me, but I need Your comfort and Your presence like never before. Please help me to feel Your arms around me. Please help me to find godly people that I can spend time with, getting to know and beginning new relationships to help edify and heal each other. Help me to know that I am never alone because You are with me. Thank You for being my best friend and my companion through it all.
For loneliness: smell Marjoram essential oil
Day 10: Anger
Psalm 3:3 – But you, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head.
Dear God, I’m feeling so angry and frustrated right now. People are doing wrong things. I’m being falsely accused. Even though I am innocent, I’m being attacked for no reason. Please help me to see things from Your perspective. Help me to walk through this trial, coming out of it a better Christian, more loving and helping others who are going through what I went through. Show me grace and comfort in order that I may show grace and comfort to others as well, Lord. Help me to let go of my anger and to completely forgive those who have wronged me. Thank You for Your patience and understanding.
For anger: smell Thyme essential oil
Day 11: Sadness
Psalm 34:18-19 – The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.
Lord, I’m feeling so sad right now. My heart is grieving and I feel hopeless. I know that You are near, but I need Your comfort. Please help me to feel Your presence and to know that You care about my pain. Help me to get through this trial and be a better Christian as a result of it. Lord, please use my pain for the good of others, to help them through their pain when it comes knocking on their door. Thank You for being my comforter and my best friend.
For comfort: smell doTerra’s Console essential oil blend
Day 12: Guilt
Isaiah 40:31 – but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.
Heavenly Father, I come to You feeling guilty and ashamed. I messed up yet again and I really am trying SO hard not to sin, but I keep failing and messing up. Please forgive me and help me to forgive myself also and to move on. I know that You forgive me, but showing myself grace is a bit harder for me and I struggle with that. Thank You for Your love and mercy, but most importantly, thank You so much, Lord, for forgiving me every time I mess up. Please help me to conquer this sin that seems to have such a hold on my life. Help me to put it far past me so that I can worship you in wisdom and in truth, without feeling condemned all the time.
Day 13: Lack of Direction
Isaiah 42:3 – a bruised reed he will not break, and a faintly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice.
Dear God, I’m feeling so utterly hopeless and without a clear direction today. Please help me to see that there is still hope and people around me still love me, despite my failures. Help me to find strength and comfort in You as I live my life today. I know that You are always with me and will never forsake me. Thank You for being my hope, my refuge, and my courage.
For clear direction: smell Roman Chamomile essential oil
Day 14: Lack of Faith
Matthew 11:28-30 – Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
Lord, I need Your help. Please help me to see that there is still reason to hope. Help me to find my strength in You. No matter what life throws my way, I know that You are always with me. You are my constant Companion, and I am never alone even when it feels like I am. You give me strength when I am weak and hope when I am discouraged. You are my Rock and salvation, and I can always rely on You, dear Lord Jesus. I know that You will never leave me or forsake me. You are faithful, even when I am not. Thank You for being my best friend and for never giving up on me. Thank You for being my stronghold.
Day 15: Feeling Weary
Romans 8:38-39 – For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Father, I’m feeling so weary today. I’m so tired of fighting. Please help me to see that You are still fighting for me. Help me to know that even though I can’t see you working on my problems, I know that you are working all things out for my good. Help me to find the strength to keep going even if I’m barely moving. Any growth is good growth! I know that You are always with me and that You will never give up on me. Thank You for being my strength and my hope in this trying time.
For support when you’re weary be sure to get lots of rest and take some time off from everything
Day 16: It’s Pointless
Romans 8:28 – And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
Dear God, I feel like nothing means anything. I don’t know if I can keep going because it all feels like it doesn’t matter anyway right now. No matter how hard I try, I just can’t seem to get ahead. I can’t seem to get victory and I feel like giving up. Please help me draw strength and wisdom from you. Fulfill me as You wish, God. Help me see You have a purpose for me. I know that You are my light in the dark. Thank You for being my bright light in such a dark time.
Day 17: Worn Out
Psalm 42:11 – Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.
Lord, I feel like I can’t go on. I get tired and worn out over the smallest of things, and feel like I just need a break. Just a little respite and rest but it seems impossible. I know that I’m not alone in feeling like this. Jesus went through it too. In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus was so burdened by what He was about to go through that He sweat drops of blood. But even in His darkest hour, He still trusted in You God, and submitted to Your will. Please give me the strength to keep going. I cry out to You and ask for help. Thank you for being faithful and helping me rest in You. Thank you for bringing comfort to me when I need it the most.
Day 18: Feeling Lost
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 – Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
Dear God, I am feeling so lost right now. I don’t know which way to turn or what steps to take. Please help me to find the way that You want me to go in this. Show me what to do next. I don’t need to see the whole picture; I just need to know the very next step to take. I need your guidance. I promise that whatever step you show me to take, that I’ll take it, I just want to know what to do next. It’s pointless to take a step without it being Your will, Lord, because it will just fail. I desperately want to do Your will; show me what that is. Thank you for being my light in the darkness.
For clarity: smell Vetiver essential oil
Day 19: Grief
Psalm 30:11-12 – You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; you have loosed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, that my glory may sing your praise and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever!
Father, I am feeling so discouraged right now. Everything seems to be going wrong and my heart is grieving. I know You are sovereign and in control, but I need Your help to make it through. I feel like I’m doing the death crawl right now and I just can’t get past the hurt and pain I feel in my heart. Please give me your peace that passes all understanding. Help me to trust You even when things are difficult.
For grief and depression: smell doTerra’s Deep Blue essential oil
Day 20: Strength
Psalm 3:3 – But you, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head.
It can be so overwhelming when we are faced with difficulties and feel like we can’t handle them on our own, Lord, and that’s exactly how I’m feeling right now. Help me to remember that I am never alone; You are always with me and You will never give me more than I can handle, even though it feels like You think I can handle a LOT more than *I* think I can handle. Please give me the strength to get through what I’m facing. Help me to know that I don’t have to accomplish everything all at once to be in Your will but that I can take things one day at a time. Please help me to just focus on today and trust that You will help me with whatever comes my way next.
For overwhelm: smell Wild Orange essential oil
Day 21: Loss of a Friend
Jeremiah 29:11 – For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
Dear God, I need someone to talk to. I am feeling so alone right now. I’ve recently lost a friend. Please send me a friend or a family member who can help me through this. I need someone to lean on, to edify me, encourage me, and to help carry my burdens. Talk with me Lord and open my ears to listen to You so that I may be found pleasing in Your sight. Thank you for always being there for me and for providing for me in ways that I cannot even fathom.
For lonliness: smell Marjoram essential oil
Day 22: Anger
Proverbs 3:5-6 – Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
Father, I am feeling so angry right now. I’m so mad at the world and I don’t know how to deal with it. People seem so mean and it feels like no one cares about You anymore. So many Christians are falling away from You and so many others are defiantly disobeying You, making me question their faith at all. Please help me to find peace in you. Help me to see Your goodness even in the midst of trials. Thank you for being my Rock when everything else is shaking. Please help me to stand strong on Your truth, never wavering in my convictions.
For anger: smell Thyme essential oil
Day 23: Decisions
Psalm 143:7-8 – Answer me quickly, O Lord! My spirit fails! Hide not your face from me, lest I be like those who go down to the pit. Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.
Lord, I need your comfort. I am feeling so sad and so hurt right now. Everything hurts and I don’t know how to make it stop. I don’t know how I can possibly make it through this really tough decision I have to make. Please help me to find my way through this, keeping You and You alone my whole focus. Help me to lean on you and trust you with my pain. Thank you for being my refuge and my strength.
For comfort: smell doTerra’s Console essential oil
Day 24: Hopeless
Philippians 4:6-7 – do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Dear God, I am feeling so hopeless right now. I don’t know if things will ever get better. It feels like things will never change; I need your help. Please give me your hope and your peace so I can get through this. Help me to trust you even when things are difficult. Thank you for being my light in the darkness.
Day 25: Weakness
Psalm 34:17 – When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles.
Father, I need your strength. I am feeling so weak right now. I don’t know how to keep going. Please help me to find my strength in you. Help me to lean on you and trust you with my weakness. Thank you for being my Rock when everything else is shaking. I know that I can count on You to help me get through anything and right now, I need Your comfort to help me to keep going.
Day 26: Anxious
Romans 8:35 – Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?
Lord, I need your peace. I am feeling so anxious and so stressed right now. I don’t know how to make it stop. It feels like everything is crashing around me and I’m not sure what decisions to make, where to go, or what to do. I just know that I want to follow Your path that You have set apart for me but I don’t know how to get there. Please help me to find the path You have designed for me and for me to find peace in you. Help me to trust you and lean on you in the midst of this storm. Thank you for being my refuge and my strength.
Day 27: Abandoned
Isaiah 57:10 – You were wearied with the length of your way, but you did not say, “It is hopeless”; you found new life for your strength, and so you were not faint.
Dear God, I am feeling so lost and abandoned right now. My friends have believed a lie about me and have left me on my own. I don’t know which way to turn or what to do. I want to act godly, but I’m not really sure how to handle this situation. Please help me to find my way. Show me what to do next. I need your guidance. I need to know how to come out of this. Thank you for being my light in the darkness.
For clarity: smell Vetiver essential oil
Day 28: Discouraged
John 14:27 – Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.
Father, I am feeling so discouraged right now. Everything seems to be going wrong. Today was a disaster, one mess after another. I know you are sovereign and in control, but I need your help. Please give me Your peace that passes all understanding. Help me to trust You even when things are difficult.
Day 29: Overwhelm
Matthew 6:26 – Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?
Overwhelmed. It’s a feeling we’ve all experienced at one time or another. When the demands of life start to pile up and we can’t see a way out, it’s easy to feel like we’re drowning. But take heart, because you are not alone. The Lord is always with you, and He will never give you more than you can handle. So when you’re feeling overwhelmed, remember to put your trust in Him. Take a deep breath and ask God to help you take one day at a time. He will give you the strength you need to get through whatever challenges you’re facing. And He will never leave your side. So rest in His peace and let Him carry your burdens for you. Trust that He has a plan for your life, even when things are tough. And know that He will never let you down. Dear Lord, please help me to remember that when I am feeling overwhelmed.
For overwhelm: smell Wild Orange essential oil
Day 30: Lost and Alone
1 Corinthians 10:13 – No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
Lord, I am feeling lost and alone, but I know that You are with me and I am not truly alone, it just feels like I am. I know that you are always willing to listen to my prayers, no matter how insignificant they may be. Please help provide me with the support of another person in order to get through this. I need to be lifted up and encouraged. I feel lonely and need someone to talk to. Please send someone my way.
You are not alone in your struggles. These prayers will help you to find hope and healing during dark times. Take some time for yourself every day this month to pray and reflect on God’s love for you. He is with you through everything.
If you want to print the prayers out, grab the 30 Days of Prayers for Those Feeling Hopeless binder in my shop by clicking below…
