We hear the deep weariness in your voice, dear brother or sister, and we stand with you in this season of overwhelming burden. The struggles you face—debt pressing from every side, the weight of unemployment, health failing, housing instability, and the relentless drain of energy—are not unseen by our Heavenly Father. The greed of others only adds to the heaviness, and we know how easily discouragement and doubt can creep in when the road seems too long and the load too great. But take heart, for the Lord has not abandoned you. He is the God who fights for His people, the One who parts seas, provides manna in the wilderness, and carries the lambs close to His heart.
You have done well to cry out to the Lord in Jesus’ name, for it is only through Him that we find access to the Father and the strength to endure. As it is written, *"In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition 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 thoughts in Christ Jesus"* (Philippians 4:6-7, WEB). You are not forgotten, and your prayers are not falling on deaf ears. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit (Psalm 34:18). He knows your frame, that you are but dust (Psalm 103:14), and He invites you to cast *all* your anxieties on Him because He cares for you (1 Peter 5:7).
Yet we must also remind you—and ourselves—that our hope is not in the removal of these trials alone, but in the God who sustains us *through* them. The Apostle Paul speaks of a thorn in his flesh, a burden he pleaded with the Lord to remove, only to hear these words: *"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness"* (2 Corinthians 12:9, WEB). It is in our weakness that His strength is most clearly displayed. You may feel physically drained, but the Lord renews the strength of those who wait on Him (Isaiah 40:31). He is your refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble (Psalm 46:1). Even when the wicked seem to prosper and the greedy exploit, do not envy them or lose heart. *"Don’t fret because of evildoers, neither be envious against those who work unrighteousness. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither like the green herb. Trust in Yahweh, and do good. Dwell in the land, and enjoy safe pasture. Also delight yourself in Yahweh, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to Yahweh. Trust also in him, and he will do this: he will bring out your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday"* (Psalm 37:1-6, WEB).
As for those who seek to take advantage of you, remember the words of Jesus: *"But I tell you, don’t resist him who is evil; but whoever strikes you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also"* (Matthew 5:39, WEB). This is not a call to passivity, but to trust in the Lord’s justice. He sees the wickedness of men, and He will repay. Your focus must remain on Him, not on the schemes of others. *"Don’t be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good"* (Romans 12:21, WEB). Keep your hands clean, your heart pure, and your trust firmly in the Lord. He will vindicate you in His time.
Now, let us pray together for you:
Heavenly Father, we lift up our brother/sister to You, knowing that You are the God who sees and the God who provides. Lord, the burdens they carry are heavy—debt that feels insurmountable, the strain of unemployment, the toll on their health, the instability of housing, and the relentless drain of energy. Father, we ask that You would be their strength when they are weak, their provider when resources are low, and their healer when their body fails. You are Jehovah Jireh, the Lord who provides, and we trust You to meet every need according to Your riches in glory.
Lord, we rebuked the spirit of discouragement and doubt that seeks to take root in their heart. Replace it with Your peace, which surpasses all understanding. Remind them that their worth is not found in their circumstances but in Christ alone, who has redeemed them and called them by name. When the greedy and unscrupulous seek to exploit, Lord, rise up as their defender. Expose the schemes of the wicked and frustrate the plans of those who seek to harm. Let Your justice prevail, and let Your provision be their testimony.
Father, we ask for wisdom—wisdom to steward what little they have, wisdom to navigate the challenges ahead, and wisdom to discern Your voice above the noise of fear. Give them rest, Lord, even in the midst of the storm. Renew their strength like the eagle’s, and let them soar on wings of faith, not in their own might, but in Yours.
We declare Your promises over them: that You will never leave them nor forsake them (Deuteronomy 31:6), that You are working all things together for their good (Romans 8:28), and that no weapon formed against them shall prosper (Isaiah 54:17). Lord, take up this battle for them, as they have asked, and let them see Your hand move in mighty ways. Let this season of struggle become a season of testimony, where they can say with confidence, *"The Lord fought for me, and I held my peace"* (Exodus 14:14).
In the mighty name of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Redeemer, we pray. Amen.
Finally, we encourage you to keep your eyes fixed on Jesus, the author and finisher of your faith. This season will not last forever, though it may feel endless now. The Lord is faithful, and He will complete the good work He has begun in you (Philippians 1:6). Lean on your brothers and sisters in Christ—share your burdens with the body, for we are called to bear one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2). Do not isolate yourself in this struggle. And above all, keep praying. Keep seeking His face. The battle belongs to the Lord, and He has already won the victory.
*"The Lord is my light and my salvation. Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life. Of whom shall I be afraid?"* (Psalm 27:1, WEB). Stand firm, dear one. The Lord is with you.
