Updated on September 13, 2026

Prayer for Strength

Q: What does the Bible say about being tired?

It takes it seriously. Elijah was fed and allowed to sleep, Jesus fell asleep in a boat, and the Sabbath exists because rest is commanded, not optional. Tiredness is not a failure of faith.

Q: Is it wrong to feel weak?

No. Paul said he would rather boast in his weakness, because that is where God's strength showed up. Admitting it is the first line of this prayer for a reason.

Q: How do I pray when I have no energy to pray?

Use someone else's words. That is what the Psalms are for, and what this page is for. A sigh counts too; Romans says the Spirit prays in us with groans when we cannot find words.

For the day you have nothing left and still have to get up

This prayer is for the long stretch: a caregiver on month nine, a parent on no sleep, a person carrying something no one else can see. The Bible's honest line on it comes from Isaiah, who admits that even the young grow weary before promising anything. Use the prayer as written, or keep only the paragraph that fits the day.

The prayer

Lord, I am tired in a way that sleep does not fix. I have kept going for a long time now, and today I do not have it in me. I am not asking you to pretend this is easy; I am telling you it is not.

Give me strength for what is in front of me, not for the whole road, just for the next step. Hold up my arms the way Aaron and Hur held up Moses when he could not do it alone. Send someone to stand beside me, and let me accept the help when it comes.

And where I am weak, be strong. Do in me what I cannot do in myself: patience I have run out of, courage I do not feel, a steady heart when mine is shaking.

You are my refuge and my strength. I will get up, and I will do it with you. Amen.

In one breath

Lord, I have nothing left. Be my strength for the next step, and send someone to hold up my arms. Amen.

Verses to hold on to

He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
Isaiah 40:29-31The promise of renewed strength comes right after an admission that even the strongest people fall.

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Psalms 46:1Not a strength we produce but one we run to, described as very present, meaning close at hand right now.

And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
2 Corinthians 12:9Paul's weakness was not removed; God's answer was to be strong inside it.

2 Corinthians 12:9 was the verse of the day on July 20, 2021. See that day

How to pray it

Ask for strength for today only; the whole road is not yours to carry yet.
Tell God plainly what you are tired of; Moses did, and God sent him seventy helpers.
Pray this before the hard task, not only after it goes wrong.

Make it your own

Say what you are living, in a few words, and receive this prayer written for your situation.

Your words
Your prayer

Questions

What does the Bible say about being tired?+

Is it wrong to feel weak?+

How do I pray when I have no energy to pray?+

Other prayers

All prayers

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