A Prayer to God Our Refuge

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling.” (Ps. 46:1-3)

Dear Heavenly Father,

We thank you that in times of trouble, in trials, in our fears and worries, we can run to you and find you to be a refuge and strong tower. You are our strength and our safe-place. You are the infinite, all-powerful Creator who spoke the world into existence without breaking a sweat. The one who sees and knows all things. As Jeremiah says, there is nothing too hard for you, the one with all power and might. But you are not only mighty, you are merciful and kind. We run to you as a loving Father, full of kindness, care, and love to your children. Just as I’m eager to protect my own daughter, you are eager to shelter us and comfort us.

We thank you God, that in the midst of this season of turmoil, sickness, instability, and even isolation, that we can put our hope in you. We thank you that our sin is forgiven through Jesus and that we’re promised eternal life. We thank you that our life today is in your loving hands.

I pray that you would give us as your people strength and peace. Not from inside of ourselves or from circumstances, but in you. May we be able to echo the words of David and say because you are our refuge and strength, we will not fear. Though the stock market tumbles and falls, though sickness and death might increase, though jobs and finances are insecure, though panic and worry might spread, though nations rage and totter, we put our trust in you, the One who is over all things, and so we will not fear. You are the Lord of hosts who goes before us and is with us (Ps. 46:7).

Father, I pray you would strengthen and uphold us as your people. I pray we would set their mind on you and find peace in their worry and fear. I pray that you would be our Provider as jobs are lost or hours reduced. That you would be near to us and fill us with your presence, even as we feel loneliness and restlessness during this period of social-distancing. Be the river whose streams refresh us and make us glad (Ps. 46:4).

Help in this time to be still before you, to know that you are God, and all that it means for you to be God (Ps. 46:9). We humbly confess we are finite creatures who cannot control this situation, with limited wisdom and resources, and with finite bodies, minds, and spirits. But where we are finite, you are infinite. Where we are weak, you are strong. Where we have any lack, you can provide. Though the circumstances around us might cause us to feel frantic, we can be still before you and rest in you because you are our God.

We know suffering is not outside of your good plan. We know nothing catches you off-guard, and that no virus or economic turmoil surprises or overwhelms you. You reign over all things and are working all things together for the good of your people and the glory of your name. We thank you that you’re using this for our good and pray you would use it to wake us up to the things that matter most, to put our hope and trust in you and not the things of the earth, and that you would help us be a witness of peace to a world full of panic.

We praise for who you are and for watching over us as your people. We run to you as our refuge and loving Father. Be exalted among the nations now and throughout the earth, O God (Ps. 46:10)

I ask these things in Jesus name, amen.