After a decade of walking with Jesus in recovery, I’ve found it meaningful that the disciples didn’t ask how to lead, heal, or perform miracles. They simply said, “Lord, teach us to pray” (Luke 11:1). The disciples wanted to learn how to pray the way He did. In other words, the disciples saw something in Jesus that they desired deeply, and it was His friendship with God.

I believe the disciples understood that all the other aspects of life and ministry flowed from the place of friendship and intimacy with the Father. Somehow, they figured out that there was something about Jesus’ prayer life that unlocked the supernatural life He lived on full display before the world. All things flow from communion with the Lord in prayer when we fellowship with Him.

And when you speak, He is listening to you! The Scriptures tell us that His ways are higher than our ways and His thoughts are higher than our thoughts. When you spend time in prayer and fellowship with Jesus, He begins to transform your thoughts and your mind.

The following three prayers are designed to help you connect with Jesus in moments when peace feels just out of reach.

When You Need Help Letting Go:

God, thank You for giving me the grace I need while I am in the process of letting go of anything and everything that has held me captive to the past. You know my struggles and the battles I have faced. Today, I need Your strength to overcome once and for all.

I ask You to show me the next step I am to take as my life is shifting and changing so quickly. I do not want to hold on to the old baggage of yesterday. I want to take hold of the new season that You have ahead of me without looking back.

Lord, give me the grace I need to start moving forward today, and keep me encouraged and focused so I can run my race with endurance. I pray for the strength to be strong spiritually, emotionally, mentally, and physically.

Jesus, You watch over and take care of me. I don’t want to go backward and feel like I have failed again, so I pray for grace and strength to let go of the past and move into this new moment, without grief or sorrow. Thank You for the joy only You can give. In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen.

When You Want to Make the Most of Your Time:

Father, Your Word teaches us to not worry about what will happen tomorrow because tomorrow will have worries and anxieties of its own. Your Word tells us that this life is like a vapor, a short glimpse of what is to come.

Help me make the most of every moment of every day and know that this day is a gift from You. Father, the days of my life are counted, and I want to bring You glory and lead others to You with the time I have on earth.

Holy Spirit, remind me of the power of living one day at a time with gratitude in my heart. I’m not where I was, I’m not where I’m going, but You and I are on a journey together led by Your peace where I get to know You deeper. Thank You that You are just as much in the journey as You are in the destination You desire us to reach together.

Holy Spirit, I pray that You will help me let go of the past and the regrets of what I’ve done or not done. Today is all that I have, and I trust that You will keep me in thankfulness for all You have blessed me with today. In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen.

When You Feel Like You Need Control:

Father, You are awesome in all Your ways; You know and see all things. Today, I pray for the peace that passes all understanding. In everything I do, I pray for You to be like a compass in my heart.

You are my refuge and strength, a very present help in the day of trouble. You alone, Lord, can make all things work together for good, and I pray for that today in every relationship You have given me.

I pray for bold faith as I trust You with every circumstance in my life. Help me to not be surprised when adversity comes my way, because You said that trials and peril would be a part of this world.

But You also said to take heart, because You have already overcome the world. Father, nothing in this life compares to the hope that only You can give, the hope found in Jesus, and for that I am so grateful!

No matter how difficult or how painful it is, I know there is freedom when I surrender it all to You, Lord.

Adapted from Whispers of Hope by Cristina Baker. Copyright © 2025 by Cristina Baker. Published by Thomas Nelson, June 2025. Used with permission.

For deeper reflection, listen to Luke 11 today! 

Listen to Cristina on the her Story Podcast today!