If you are in immediate danger or thinking about harming yourself, contact local emergency services or a crisis line now. Scripture can encourage you, and caring human support matters too.

Choose what you are feeling

Sad

Psalm 34:18 · Psalm 42:11 · Matthew 5:4 · John 14:1

Hopeless

Lamentations 3:21-23 · Romans 15:13 · Jeremiah 29:11 · Hebrews 6:19

Fearful

Psalm 56:3-4 · Isaiah 41:10 · Joshua 1:9 · 2 Timothy 1:7

Angry

Psalm 37:8 · Proverbs 15:1 · Ephesians 4:26-27 · James 1:19-20

Lonely

Deuteronomy 31:8 · Psalm 27:10 · Psalm 68:6 · Matthew 28:20

Weak

Isaiah 40:29-31 · 2 Corinthians 12:9 · Psalm 73:26 · Philippians 4:13

Overwhelmed

Psalm 61:1-2 · Matthew 11:28-30 · Philippians 4:6-7 · 1 Peter 5:7

Confused

Proverbs 3:5-6 · James 1:5 · Psalm 119:105 · John 16:13

God’s overwhelming love for you

John 3:16 · Romans 5:8 · Ephesians 3:18-19 · 1 John 4:9-10 · Zephaniah 3:17

Marriage Scriptures

Genesis 2:18-24 · Ephesians 5:25-33 · 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 · Colossians 3:12-14 · Proverbs 18:22

Anxiety

Psalm 55:22 · Matthew 6:25-34 · Philippians 4:6-7 · 1 Peter 5:7 · Isaiah 41:10

Death for the believer

John 11:25-26 · 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 · 2 Corinthians 5:1-8 · Philippians 1:21-23 · Revelation 21:1-5

Short morning prayer

Lord, thank you for the gift of this new day. Give me wisdom for my decisions, peace for my heart, strength for what I cannot control, and compassion for the people I meet. Help me walk faithfully through today. Amen.

How to use these prayers: Read one slowly, notice the need it brings to the surface, and respond to God in your own words. You can return to the same prayer more than once.

Old Testament prayers

Use these prayers as models for honest conversation with God:

• Hannah’s prayer for help and dedication, 1 Samuel 1:9-18; 2:1-10
• David’s prayers for refuge and mercy, Psalms 23, 51, and 86
• Solomon’s prayer for wisdom and God’s presence, 1 Kings 8:22-30
• Nehemiah’s prayer of confession and courage, Nehemiah 1:4-11
• Jehoshaphat’s prayer when overwhelmed, 2 Chronicles 20:5-12
• Jonah’s prayer from distress, Jonah 2:1-10
• Daniel’s prayer for mercy and understanding, Daniel 9:3-19

New Testament prayers

• The Lord’s Prayer, Matthew 6:9-13
• Jesus’ prayer for his followers, John 17:1-26
• Jesus’ prayer in Gethsemane, Matthew 26:36-46
• The early church’s prayer for boldness, Acts 4:23-31
• Stephen’s prayer while suffering, Acts 7:54-60
• Paul’s prayer for inner strength, Ephesians 3:14-21
• Paul’s prayer for discernment and love, Philippians 1:9-11
• A prayer for joy, peace, and spiritual growth, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24

Read a prayer slowly, then use your own words to respond. If you need urgent help, seek caring human support immediately.