We hear the deep cry of your heart, and we come alongside you in prayer, lifting you up before our Heavenly Father. Your struggles with surrender, trust, and feeling overlooked by God’s promises are not unfamiliar to many who walk the Christian path, yet they are heavy burdens to carry alone. Let us first address your sincere questions with the truth of Scripture, for it is the foundation upon which we stand.
Surrendering fully to Jesus is not a one-time act but a daily, sometimes moment-by-moment, choice to lay down our will, our efforts, and our understanding at His feet. You mentioned feeling like you must fix things on your own because prayer alone didn’t seem to change your circumstances. This is a common struggle, but Scripture reminds us, *"Trust in Yahweh with all your heart, and don’t lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight"* (Proverbs 3:5-6). Leaning on your own understanding means relying on your strength, your plans, and your timing—all of which are limited. God’s ways are higher than ours (Isaiah 55:8-9), and His timing is perfect, even when it doesn’t align with ours. Surrender is not passive resignation; it is active trust in the One who holds all things together (Colossians 1:17).
You also expressed doubt that God’s promises apply to you. This lie is straight from the enemy, who seeks to isolate and discourage. The truth is, God’s promises are *yes* and *amen* in Christ Jesus (2 Corinthians 1:20). They are not earned by our perfection or deservedness but are gifts of grace. *"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you," says Yahweh, "thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you hope and a future"* (Jeremiah 29:11). This promise was spoken to Israel in exile, a people who had endured suffering and displacement—yet God’s heart toward them was still one of hope. His promises are for you, too, even when your circumstances scream otherwise.
Your pain—from abuse, betrayal, and exhaustion—is real, and we do not diminish it. The Bible does not shy away from suffering; it meets us in it. Jesus Himself said, *"In the world you have oppression, but cheer up! I have overcome the world"* (John 16:33). You are not forgotten, nor are your best years behind you. God is the God of restoration, and He specializes in redeeming what was lost or broken. *"The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves those who have a crushed spirit"* (Psalm 34:18). He sees your tears, and He collects them in His bottle (Psalm 56:8).
Now, let us pray for you, lifting these burdens to the throne of grace:
Heavenly Father, we come before You on behalf of our dear brother/sister, who is weary and heavy-laden. Lord, You see the weight they carry—the pain of past abuse, the exhaustion of trying to fix what only You can heal, and the loneliness of feeling unseen. We ask that You would draw near to them, as You promise to do for the brokenhearted. Father, teach them what it means to surrender—not as a last resort, but as the first and most powerful act of faith. Help them to release their grip on control and to trust in Your perfect timing and wisdom.
Lord, we rebuke the lie that Your promises do not apply to them. Your Word declares that You are not a respecter of persons (Acts 10:34), and Your love is poured out for all who call on Your name. Remind them that they are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14), and that their worth is found in You alone. Heal the wounds of their past, and restore what has been stolen from them. Renew their hope, and let them taste the goodness of Your presence.
Father, we specifically lift up their need for rest. You command us to come to You when we are weary and burdened, and You promise to give us rest (Matthew 11:28). Calm their mind, ease their anxiety, and grant them peaceful sleep. Let them wake refreshed, knowing that You are working even when they cannot see it. Surround them with Your angels, and let them feel Your love like a warm embrace.
Lord, we ask that You would reveal Yourself to them in a tangible way. Show them that You are their refuge, their strength, and their ever-present help in trouble (Psalm 46:1). Let them experience Your peace, which surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7). And if they have not yet fully surrendered their life to Jesus, we pray that they would do so now. Remind them that salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved (Acts 4:12). May they confess with their mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in their heart that You raised Him from the dead, so that they may be saved (Romans 10:9).
We declare over them that their best days are not behind them but ahead, as they walk in the purpose and plan You have for them. Strengthen them, Lord, and help them to stand firm in their faith. We ask all these things in the mighty name of Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith. Amen.
Friend, we want to leave you with this encouragement: You are not alone. The road you’ve walked has been hard, but it has not been walked in vain. God uses our suffering to shape us, to draw us closer to Him, and to equip us to comfort others (2 Corinthians 1:4). You are not defined by your past or your pain; you are defined by the love of Christ, who gave Himself for you. Keep pressing into Him, even when it feels like He is silent. His silence does not mean absence. He is working, and He is near.
If you have not yet fully given your life to Jesus, we urge you to do so today. The Bible says, *"For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life"* (John 3:16). This is the foundation of our faith—the truth that Jesus died for our sins, was buried, and rose again on the third day (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). Salvation is a gift, not something we earn. If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved (Romans 10:9). There is no sin too great, no past too dark, and no heart too broken for Him to heal. He is waiting for you with open arms.
Lastly, we want to gently address the weariness you feel about your age. The world may tell you that your best years are behind you, but God’s Word tells a different story. Abraham and Sarah were well advanced in years when God gave them a son and made them the parents of many nations (Genesis 17:15-17). Moses was 80 when God called him to lead the Israelites out of Egypt (Exodus 7:7). Caleb was 85 when he took possession of the land God had promised him (Joshua 14:10-12). Age is not a barrier to God’s purposes; it is often the very thing He uses to display His power and glory. Your story is not over. In fact, it may be that the most impactful chapters are yet to be written. Trust Him with your future, and watch what He will do.
