Hebrews 12:1 says, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”

Jesus discovered the same thing that you may have figured out, walking with God is a blessing but it is also a struggle.

We are called to join in with Jesus and pick up our crosses and follow Him. The Christian walk is very challenging because we are called to live very differently from the world around us. Many times this involves sacrifices, humility, patience, and great endurance.

When you feel tired, overwhelmed, disgusted, busted, disappointed, sick or brok, we encourage you to take time to pray for stamina!

When you pray for stamina, God has a chance to help empower you to be able to go on!

Pray and let the Lord remind you of what you are working towards. He has already completed the work on the cross and we are His forever.

We can then live out our faith from a place of resting in Him rather than striving. In fact, enduring doesn’t mean striving. We are told in Psalm 46:10 to stop striving and know that He is God. Our Lord is sovereign. We are invited into the work that He is accomplishing on this earth, it is hard and long at times, but it is for a great eternal purpose of sharing the gospel with many. As you run the race set out before you, may you remember that Christ is your stamina on the journey.

God, You say in Galatians 6:9, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Help me not to grow weary in the good things that You have called me to. Readjust my mindset if I am focused too much on the work, but not the Savior. Remind me who I am serving and why.

Lord, you remind me in Romans 5:3-4 that I can glory in suffering because it ultimately produces character and hope. Give me the courage to trust in You and persevere through the trials that come my way today and this week. Thank You that You never leave me in the midst of my struggles. As I run the race, You are right there next to me cheering me on in this life. I desire to honor Your name and to represent You well. I am sinful and need Your help through the Holy Spirit to love well.

Give me eyes to not fixate on what is temporary around me but on what is eternal. Please help me to keep You first. You say in James 1:12, “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.” When times get hard and the enemy attacks, help me to stand strong under the trials and temptations that come my way. Give me the ability to stay true to Jesus in a world that wants me to deny and reject Him. Sustain me, hold me up, lead me when I am weary. Give me a renewed sense of hope and purpose in following You.

I pray against apathy or laziness in my faith. Help me to continually grow by reading Your Bible, worshiping You through song and prayer, telling others about Your gospel, and making decisions that honor You. Part of stamina is the daily walk, remind me the value in a steady relationship with You. Remind me that it is not about the spiritually high moments but about the moment-by-moment decisions.

Thank You for inviting me into Your purposes and Your greater plan. Thank You for creating me and calling me to Yourself. Thank You for giving me hope in this life and after this life. Thank You for community; help me to reach out to others when I feel discouraged, and prevent me from isolating myself. Give me Your strength to reach out when I need others to remind me that I am not alone on this narrow path. Thank You for prayer and for the prayer warriors who come alongside me. Help me to be an encourager of others’ journeys as well. You are so good. Thank You for being my stamina in life. Amen.

Author E m Dan