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•A Prayer for When Life Is Hard•By Anthony Valente👉 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)I’m not sure why, but every time life throws me a curveball I didn’t expect, or any form of affliction pops up in my life, I still act surprised. Maybe you can relate? It could be the stresses that come with managing everyday life between work and kids that make life hard for you. Perhaps its tragic news that a loved one has passed away, even though we know that we will all die one day. Yet, for some reason, it still seems to nudge us in the worst way when things in life are hard.But the truth is: life is in fact hard.In today’s Scripture, Jesus reminds us of exactly that: He tells us in the world, you will have trouble. He didn’t say, you might have trouble, nor did he say, you will never have trouble. No, He said you will have trouble.The beautiful part of this Scripture is that He then tells us that we can have peace in this troubled world. We can take heart and be encouraged that He has overcome the trouble in this world.As believers, we don’t have to live in a state of despair. We can find peace in Him knowing that the trouble we experience is not forever, as He has overcome all the trouble when he sacrificed His life on the cross. This troubled world is only temporary.He knows that life is painful. But he didn’t leave us empty-handed. He left us with His peace. You can be sad. You can be angry. You can continue to act surprised. You can be confused. But you don’t have reason to despair. Even if life at times is tragic and dark, do not despair.In the midst of the trouble and when life is hard, His peace is there. Rest in this wonderful assurance.Let us pray.🙏 Dear Lord,Thank You that You left us with the Holy Spirit to comfort us in times of trouble. Thank You that we can run to You at any time and find peace this world could never provide. We ask that You remind us that when trouble comes, we don’t have to walk it alone and walk in despair. For in You, we can find peace. In You, we can find comfort. Life is hard and You remind us that in this life, there will be trouble. Thank You for the truth of Your Word that we can stand on when life seems too hard. Thank You, Jesus, for bearing death on the cross, so that this world of trouble won’t last for eternity. Although life is hard, we can walk in victory with You. We pray that You would make our way peaceful and fill us with encouragement and hope. Give us a heart of wisdom to lean on You during times of trouble and not seek things of this world that leave us feeling empty. When life gets too hard, please remind us of Your glorious promise.In Jesus’ Name,AMEN 🙏 The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.(Psalm 9:9-10)You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.(Psalm 32:7-8)For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.(Romans 8:18)So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.(1 Peter 1:6-7)Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”(Joshua 1:9)Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”(Isaiah 30:21)Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.(John 14:27)And Jesus said to him, “‘If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes.”(Mark 9:23)And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.(Romans 8:28)“The LORD makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with his hand.”(Psalm 37:23-24)We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.(Romans 5:3-5)“Praise be to the LORD for He has heard my cry for mercy. The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.”(Psalm 28:6-7)“For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”(Jeremiah 29:11-13)Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”(Hebrews 13:5)Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication 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 minds in Christ Jesus.(Philippians 4:6-7)Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all.(2 Thessalonians 3:16)Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.(2 Corinthians 13:11)“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me.(John 14:1)“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.(John 3:16)(pic verse)Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.(Romans 12:12)Artist 👨‍🎨 I Am With You Always - David Delfeld