“My grace is sufficient for you [My lovingkindness and My mercy are more than enough—always available—regardless of the situation]; for My power is being perfected and shows itself most effectively in your weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:9 (AMP)
I was scrolling through Threads earlier this week when someone posted her prayer, and it touched me deeply. She was praying about the many ways she’d been hard on herself by carrying around every way she thought she should be further along in her life by now. But she ended the post with “but Your grace speaks differently.”
That line sat with me. Why? Maybe because it reminded me that God’s grace tells a different story than my self-criticism. And also, because I’ve been having those kinds of conversations with God, too.
Jesus is my hero. I mean, for real. He was committed to tending to His Father’s business — always intentional about what He did — and He treated people who thought they didn’t matter as if they did. That’s the kind of love I want to walk in, and it’s the love I’m asking Him to remind me of, not only when I start being hard on myself, but others, too.
This young lady’s prayer encourages me to share a prayer from my prayer journal. Moving through these messy middle streets is not for the weak, but the Lord relentlessly reminds me that He is my strength whenever or however I feel weak. Our God is so faithful to us. Sometimes we need to pause and remember who He is.
Dear Father God, You are magnificent and sovereign. I am so humbled that I get to talk to you whenever I want. Without Jesus’ sacrifice, that wouldn’t be possible. Thank You, Lord, for loving me that much. Thank You for everything You are to me in every way. I know without a doubt I’d be lost without You.
Lord, You know that lately I’ve been hard on myself about a lot of things, and choosing peace in my relationships has been one of them. I know that living authentically — really living out what You’ve been showing me — means disappointing some of the people that I love. I’ve been doing hard things and pushing through in my own strength for a long time. I can’t do “hard” right now; maybe I’m not supposed to do “hard” anymore. I don’t want to, nor do I have the capacity to be around people who aren’t willing to do the work of healing, even people I love. Some days that feels selfish—like I’m refusing to extend grace, and like choosing peace for myself means I’m failing them. You know it’s still important to me to extend grace not only to myself, but to others. That, Lord, has been challenging for me at times.
But God — You were the One who sent Jesus to be about Your business, and people close to Him didn’t always understand Him. Yet He still walked in what You asked of Him because Your peace mattered more than their approval. If choosing peace costs me a relationship right now, that doesn’t mean I’ve failed anyone. It may simply mean I’m finally listening to You. Your strength is made perfect in weakness, and I am not strong without You. Thank You for giving me the courage to keep growing, keep learning, and keep becoming the woman You’re calling me to be.
Lord, I’ve been hard on myself about money—namely, not having any. At 56, being unemployed has made it hard for me financially. I miss having the money to spend freely, like I’m used to, and to give and share with others the way I want to, and some days that feels devastating.
But God — I haven’t been hungry. Some of the clothes I do have still fit. My car still runs. I’m still able to do some of the things I want. You have never once let me go without what I actually need. You are Jehovah Jireh, my provider. You are so good, and I am so grateful.
Lord, I’ve been frustrated about my body. I’m the heaviest I’ve ever been, and if I’m honest, I don’t feel attractive anymore. I’m not overeating; I strength train and walk. And yet I still got rolls in places I never thought I would. It’s hard for me to look at and not feel frustrated. That’s hard to admit, even to You. You already know my struggles here.
But God, You remind me that for the most part, I’m healthy. I can still walk. I can still move. I can lift heavy weights. I’m not in any consistent pain. You’ve kept this body capable, even when I’ve focused more on its imperfections than its blessings. Thank You, Lord!
Lord, I’ve been hard on myself for struggling through this season. I’ve been unemployed for a little over two years now. I left a job that was out of alignment with who You made me to be, and I don’t regret that—but it doesn’t mean I don’t wonder what it would be like to have a high income like some of my peers. At this point in my journey, I feel ashamed about my struggles professionally and financially.
I wonder, Lord, if this is a sabbatical or something else entirely. Do I need to reframe what unemployment looks like in this season? Should I stop trying to exchange my time for money and trust that Zanele’s Faith Journeys (ZFJ) is the opportunity You’re growing?
But God — because of unemployment, I have time now. I’m not always tired from working nights. For the past two years, I’ve had slow, quiet mornings, lighter days, and nature walks with You on the trail. I have time to hope in You for what ZFJ can become, and room to learn what I need to learn to get there. I know all of that means something. That might be exactly what this season is for.
Lord, You know I’ve been wrestling with so many thoughts, and I don’t have all the answers. But the things I have settled in my heart, I have peace about. Thank You, Lord, for Your peace.
I’m giving it all to You, God—peace, income, my body, this season, all of it. In Your Word, You tell me to trust You with all my heart, and not depend on my own understanding. You promised that when I seek Your will in all I do, You will show me what path to take. I believe You, Lord!
My God, through every up and down, You keep reminding me that more than one thing can be true. Even when parts of life don’t feel good, You are still good—and You are right here in the middle of it all.
To You be the glory for all of it—what You’ve done, what You’re doing, and what You’re going to do.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Sis, I encourage you to pray and talk to God about anything and everything that concerns you—every feeling, every frustration, every unanswered question.
You will grieve some of what God prunes from your life. You may also smile at what He reveals along the way. And through it all, you’ll begin to see how prayer changes you.
Because in every season, you are not walking alone. The Lord is right there with you. He will never leave you. And when you know that deep in your spirit, peace begins to take root in your life.
Life is a faith journey. Walk boldly.
Be honest with God about everything you’re carrying. 💜
Be gentle with yourself in the places you’re still healing. 💜
Be steady in trusting God even when the season doesn’t make full sense yet. 💜
If something in this spoke to you, you don’t have to walk this journey alone.
I share weekly blog posts for women navigating faith, purpose, and the messy middle of life—right where God is still writing the story.
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— Tami Zanele
