Faithful Father,
You are the God who sustains the weary with a word (Isaiah 50:4), who gives strength to the faint and increases the power of the weak (Isaiah 40:29).
We come to You, raw and worn, acknowledging that life can be relentless—and that some days, the only victory is simply choosing to stand. Lord, You see the weight we carry—the invisible burdens, the quiet griefs, the sleepless nights. You know the ache of a heart that keeps beating while broken, the soul that keeps showing up when it would rather hide. Thank You that You never ask us to pretend we're okay. Instead, You invite us to come as we are, weary and heavy-laden, with the promise of rest (Matthew 11:28).
We confess, God, that the world often demands strength when we have none, and resilience when we feel like unraveling. Yet You remind us that Your strength is made perfect in our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9).
Teach us to boast not in our ability to keep going, but in Your grace that carries us when we cannot walk alone. You are near to the crushed in spirit (Psalm 34:18), and You collect our tears in Your bottle (Psalm 56:8). Not one moment of pain escapes Your notice. Not one silent scream goes unheard. And in the midst of all that seems senseless and unfair, You are the God who still works all things for good for those who love You (Romans 8:28).
Father, help us find meaning not just in the happy endings, but in the quiet courage to persevere. In the trembling steps forward. In the whisper of hope that refuses to die. Remind us that “we are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed” (2 Corinthians 4:8-9).
Give us grace to keep going when we are tired of trying. To keep hoping when all seems dark. To trust that even in the valley of the shadow of death, You are with us (Psalm 23:4). And when we cannot take another step, teach us to be still and know that You are God (Psalm 46:10).
We thank You for the miracle of perseverance, for the quiet defiance that chooses light in the midst of darkness. And we thank You that even when we cannot hold on to You, You are always holding on to us (Isaiah 41:10; John 10:28-29).
In the name of the Suffering Savior who wept, who bled, who rose again to give us hope, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.