A Prayer to Choose Gratitude When Life is Hard

Just one thing. Have you ever thought that? If God would only fix this one thing, everything in my life would be perfect. I used to think this all the time. Yet, in the back of my mind, I knew that even if God did fix the thing I was focused on, it wouldn’t be enough. It wouldn’t be enough because there would always be that “one thing.”

It’s easy to get fixated on what’s not working in our lives. When we do, we often make it an idol. We think about it often. We focus our time and resources on resolving it. All of this happens subtly and, over time, our perspective becomes as warped as the fun house mirrors at a carnival. That one thing becomes so magnified in our lives that we begin to believe it alone has the power to satisfy our deepest desire. 

Leah Praises the Lord in a Difficult Situation

In the book of Genesis (Genesis 29:31-35), we are introduced to Leah who is married to Jacob along with her sister, Rachel. Her brother Laban tricked Jacob into this arrangement. Jacob is in love with Rachel not Leah. However, Leah convinces herself that if she bears sons for Jacob, he will love her. She bears him three sons in the hopes that his feelings for her will grow. They don’t. Leah is stuck in an unhappy marriage and there is nothing that she can do to change Jacob’s feelings towards her. Finally, Leah decides to praise the Lord after giving birth to her fourth son (v.35). Instead of wallowing in resentment, Leah chooses to pursue prayerful gratitude even though her life is hard.

Like Leah, we can choose to let go of trying to change a situation and instead choose to praise God even when life is hard. This often means giving up our vision of a perfect or problem free life. It also means focusing on finding our purpose and value in God alone. Just like Leah, we can choose to trust God’s love and plan for us even when we’re disappointed with the circumstances surrounding us.

In this week’s prayer, we’ll thank God for His grace and pray for God to help us choose gratitude even when life’s hard.

Prayer of the Week: Asking God to Help Us Choose Gratitude When Life is Hard

Father, I thank you that you love me and that everyday you shower me with your grace. Your love for me is incomprehensible. Everyday, you show me mercy, provide for my needs, and offer me your presence. 

Lord, I love you, but I’ve been struggling with some hard things. I pray that you would change my circumstances; however, I pray that you would also change my heart. Help me to choose gratitude even though I’m going through a hard season in my life. Remind me each day that you are with me and love me. Show me how I can be like Leah who put away resentment and disappointment and pursue praise and gratitude.

Lord, I desire to find my full value and purpose in you. Transform my heart so that I can find contentment through my relationship with you. Help me to let go of the idol of a perfect life and run after the life you have for me. Father, I fully entrust my life to you and choose to believe that your grace is enough to overcome the difficulties in my life. I pray this in Jesus name. Amen!