A Prayer for When You Can't 'Feel' God - Your Daily Prayer - May 1
A Prayer for When You Can't 'Feel' God
By Kelly-Jayne McGlynn
Isaiah 41:10: "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
A feeling of peace, stability, and belonging. A burden lifted off my shoulders. A sense of direction and purpose. I used to feel all of these things when I prayed to God. I felt like he was right there beside me, walking with me, holding my hand. I sensed him through all that I did and all that I saw. And then, after a stage in my life of complete instability, all those feelings vanished. There was so much change at one time that I simply went numb. It felt like my soul had gone blind and I started to question everything. Where did God go? Did God leave me? Was God ever really there to begin with…?
It is such a blessing from God that he gives us those senses to experience him and his love. However, Hebrews 11:1 reminds us not to rely on those feelings: “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” Even when we can’t see God, scripture calls us to have faith anyway. God want us to have confidence in who he tells us that he is, rather than what we can perceive of our circumstances. This includes our feelings.
Even when we don’t feel God, he is still right there. He is with us. He strengthens us. He holds us up by his own hand. With God’s help, we can know this truth in our hearts, even if we cannot at that moment emotionally connect to it. Let’s pray.
Dear Father in Heaven,
Thank you for your steadfastness and continual presence in our lives. Sometimes, we can feel you right next to us. But sometimes, it is hard to know that you are there at all. Sometimes life gets so difficult that our hearts just cannot feel you through the pain. Sometimes you take away those feelings so that we may seek you even more fervently. I pray today, Father, that I may rely not on my own feelings but rather on your love for me. May I rely on your Word to be the truth that rules my life over my own understanding.
Help me to see you and believe in your character even though my feelings may tell me otherwise. You are kind, you are good, and you are gracious. You are both all-powerful and all-loving. You care deeply for me and for my loved ones. Be with me as I live out these truths no matter what my circumstances are today, Lord, as we walk forward together.
I love you and pray all of these things in your Son’s amazing name, Amen.
Related Resource: Why You Feel Overwhelmed Even When Life Seems Okay
Life feels okay. So why do you still feel overwhelmed?
Maybe you're constantly on edge. Maybe your body won't relax. Maybe you find yourself carrying the weight of heartbreaking headlines, other people's pain, or experiences you thought you'd already moved past.
If you've ever wondered why you feel exhausted even when nothing seems "wrong," this conversation will help you understand what may be happening beneath the surface. Carol McCracken sits down with Rebecca Taguma of the Trauma Healing Institute to discuss why overwhelming experiences affect our minds, bodies, and faith, practical ways to calm our nervous system, and how God gently leads us toward healing—one step at a time.
If this episode helps you face fear with God's confidence, be sure to follow Faith Over Fear on Apple or Spotify so you get new episodes every week!
