How to Pray When You’re In Need: 5 Day Devotional
This devotional is designed to guide you deeper into God’s Word and help you grow in prayer. Each day includes a scripture to meditate on, a reflection to encourage your heart, and an action step to apply what you’ve learned. Take 10–15 minutes daily, beginning with a moment of silence to invite God into your time and ending with a prayer and journal entry.
This devotional is based off the sermon How to Pray When You’re In Need.
Day 1: Start with Worship
Scripture: 2 Chronicles 20:6
"Lord, the God of our ancestors, are You not the God who is in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. Power and might are in Your hand, and no one can withstand You."
Reflection: Jehoshaphat’s prayer begins with worship. Before asking God for anything, he focuses on who God is—powerful, sovereign, and always in control. Worship shifts our focus from the size of our problem to the greatness of our God. It’s not about ignoring the issue at hand; it’s about anchoring our hearts in the truth that God is greater than anything we face.
Take a moment to think about what this means for you. Maybe you’re overwhelmed by financial struggles, a strained relationship, or an uncertain future. In worship, you’re not denying the difficulty but reminding yourself that God is bigger. When Jehoshaphat praised God as the ruler over all nations, he was declaring that no army, no crisis, no obstacle was outside of God’s authority.
What about your life today? Have you been more focused on your problem than on God’s ability to handle it? Worship isn’t just something we do at church—it’s a daily practice of declaring God’s greatness and trusting Him with our circumstances. The more you worship, the smaller your fear becomes, and the bigger your faith grows.
Questions for Reflection: Set aside five minutes today to praise God. Write down at least three truths about Him—His power, faithfulness, and love. Speak them aloud as a declaration of worship. For example: “God, You are in control of my finances. You love me, and You provide for me.”
Prayer: “Lord, You are my Creator, my Provider, and my Strength. You are greater than anything I face today. Help me to lift my eyes above my problems and fix them on You. I trust in Your power and love. Amen.”
Journal Prompt: What truth about God do you need to focus on today? How does worship change the way you view your current challenge?
Day 2: Recall God’s Faithfulness
Scripture: 2 Chronicles 20:7
"Did You not drive out the inhabitants of this land before Your people Israel and give it forever to the descendants of Abraham Your friend?"
Reflection: When Jehoshaphat prayed, he reminded himself of God’s past faithfulness. He recalled how God had provided for and protected His people in the past. This wasn’t just nostalgia—it was an intentional act of building faith for the current crisis. Remembering what God has done before strengthens our confidence in what He will do now.
Think back on your own life. Can you recall moments when God came through for you? Maybe He provided a job when you needed it most, healed a relationship, or gave you peace during a difficult season. These memories aren’t just encouraging—they’re fuel for your faith.
In difficult times, our natural tendency is to focus on what’s going wrong, but recalling God’s faithfulness shifts our hearts to gratitude. Jehoshaphat didn’t have all the answers, but he anchored his hope in what he knew to be true about God’s character. And the same God who was faithful yesterday is the same God who stands with you today.
Action Step: Write down two or three moments in your life when God has been faithful. Keep this list in a place where you’ll see it often. When fear or doubt creeps in, read through it and thank God for His faithfulness.
Prayer: “Lord, thank You for all the ways You have been faithful in my life. Help me to remember Your goodness and trust You with my current situation. You’ve never failed me, and I know You never will. Amen.”
Journal Prompt: What are some ways God has been faithful in your life? How can remembering these moments help you trust Him with your current needs?
Day 3: Be Honest About Your Need
Scripture: 2 Chronicles 20:12
"We have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on You."
Reflection: Jehoshaphat’s honesty is a powerful example for us. He didn’t try to pretend he had it all together or that he could handle the situation on his own. Instead, he admitted his weakness and his need for God. This kind of vulnerability takes humility, but it’s where God’s power meets our need.
In our culture, admitting weakness is often seen as failure. We’re told to be strong, self-sufficient, and in control. But the truth is, we were never meant to carry our burdens alone. God doesn’t need your strength—He wants your surrender. When we admit, “I don’t know what to do,” we create space for God to work.
What need are you carrying right now? Have you been trying to handle it on your own, or have you brought it honestly to God? Jehoshaphat’s prayer is a model for us: “We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on You.” It’s a statement of dependence and faith. God’s power is made perfect in our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9), but we must first invite Him into the situation.
Action Step: Take 10 minutes today to pray honestly about your need. Write out your prayer, naming the specific challenges you’re facing. Then, surrender them to God, asking Him to work in His way and in His timing.
Prayer: “God, I don’t know what to do, but my eyes are on You. I surrender my fear, my plans, and my control. I trust You to guide me and provide for me. Amen.”
Journal Prompt: What burden are you carrying right now? How can you surrender it to God? What does it look like to trust Him with it?
Day 4: Trust God’s Plan
Scripture: 2 Chronicles 20:17
"You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you."
Reflection: God’s plan for Jehoshaphat and Judah was unexpected. Instead of fighting, they were told to stand firm and trust in His deliverance. This required faith and obedience—especially when the solution didn’t make sense. Trusting God’s plan often challenges us to let go of our own strategies and lean into His wisdom.
Think about this in your own life. Maybe you’re facing a situation where you feel the need to act, fix, or control the outcome. But what if God is asking you to trust Him instead? Trust doesn’t mean passivity—it means aligning your heart with God’s will and taking steps of faith as He leads.
Isaiah 55:8-9 reminds us, “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord.God’s plans are always higher and better than our own, even when we can’t see how everything will unfold.
What area of your life is God asking you to trust Him with today? It might feel risky or counterintuitive, but know this: God’s plans are always for your good and His glory.
Action Step: Identify one area of your life where you’ve been struggling to trust God’s plan. Write a prayer of surrender, asking Him to help you release control and follow His guidance.
Prayer: “Lord, Your ways are higher than mine, and I trust that Your plan is good. Help me to surrender my fears and doubts, and give me the faith to trust You even when I don’t understand. Amen.”
Journal Prompt: What step of faith is God asking you to take today? How can trusting His plan bring you peace in this situation?
Day 5: Respond With Worship
Scripture: 2 Chronicles 20:22
"As they began to sing and praise, the Lord set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated."
Reflection: Jehoshaphat’s battle strategy was revolutionary: he sent worshipers to the front lines instead of soldiers. Their response of worship wasn’t just a celebration of victory—it was the key to their victory. Worship activates faith, invites God’s power, and shifts the atmosphere.
In our own battles, worship is often the last thing we feel like doing. When life feels overwhelming, it’s tempting to focus on the problem rather than praising God. But worship is a powerful declaration of trust. It says, “God, I believe You are bigger than this situation, and I trust You to fight for me.”
What would it look like for you to respond to your battle with worship today? Maybe it’s singing a favorite worship song, thanking God for His faithfulness, or simply lifting your hands in surrender. Worship doesn’t have to be elaborate—it just has to come from the heart.
Like Judah, we can trust that as we worship, God is working behind the scenes. The battle belongs to Him, and He is faithful to bring victory.
Action Step: Choose a worship song that resonates with you and spend time singing or meditating on its lyrics. Let the words remind you of God’s power and faithfulness. Examples: “Way Maker” by Leeland or “Great Is Thy Faithfulness.”
Prayer: “God, I praise You for who You are and what You’ve done. Even in the middle of my battle, I choose to worship You. I trust You to fight for me and bring victory in Your way and in Your timing. Amen.”
Journal Prompt: How does worship shift your focus from fear to faith? What specific ways can you make worship a part of your daily battle strategy?
