Desperate Prayers

When I was desperate, I called out, and God got me out of a tight spot.

Psalm 34:6 MSG

How many of God’s miracles do we miss out on when we’re not willing to admit that we’re desperate? 

Desperation is a feeling that no one really likes—it makes us feel weak and limited. It can be embarrassing or downright scary to admit that we’re totally overwhelmed or facing a problem greater than we can solve. 

And so, instead of crying out to God, we deny our desperation. We ignore God and cling to control. We settle for wallowing in our feelings over these problems, or we hunker down and throw ourselves into human solutions that provide no real change. 

As much as we dislike the feeling, our willingness to admit that we are desperate is the key to opening the door to God’s supernatural power. Desperation opens our hearts and makes room for God to move in ways that go far beyond our wildest dreams. Powerful changes and transformations that seem humanly impossible become inevitable when God is involved. 

So what situations are you facing right now that feel impossible? And how are you responding? Are you begging God to intervene, or are you denying your desperation? 

In this scripture playlist, we’ll go from denial to desperation so that God can turn the impossible into the inevitable. Let’s jump in. 

We’re going to start with four reasons we don’t pray desperate prayers.

Reason #1 is disappointment. When we don’t get what we want, sometimes we stop asking God and start fighting to get it ourselves. 

You want things,but you don’t get them. So you kill and are jealous of others. But you still cannot get what you want. So you argue and fight. You don’t get what you want because you don’t ask God.

James 4:2 ERV

Reason #2 that we don’t pray is bitterness. If we’re blaming others for our circumstances and refusing to forgive, we won’t be able to talk to God or access his forgiveness and healing.

“When you are praying and you remember that you are angry with another person about something, forgive that person. Forgive them so that your Father in heaven will also forgive your sins.”

Mark 11:25 ERV

The third thing that stops us from praying desperate prayers is cherishing sin. Sometimes we handle hard times by planning sinful outlets for our pain and stress rather than pouring our hearts out to God:

If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened; [19] but God has surely listened and has heard my prayer. [20] Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld his love from me!

Psalm 66:18-20 NIV

The fourth reason we don’t pray desperate prayers is we’ve stopped caring about others. When we are only focused on ourselves and the battles we face, we forget that those around us are in battles too. Care fuels desperate prayers, so if we stop caring, we’ll stop praying.

… In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other’s spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out.

Ephesians 6:18 MSG

Let’s stop and reflect on these four things. Which ones have been stopping you from praying desperate prayers? Disappointment, bitterness, sin, or lack of care?

Once we clear these four things out of our heart, we can pray desperate prayers. 

The Bible can help us find the words to express our deepest longings to God. 

Listen, YAHWEH, to my passionate prayer! Can’t you hear my groaning? [2] Don’t you hear how I’m crying out to you? My King and my God, consider my every word, for I am calling out to you. [3] At each and every sunrise you will hear my voice as I prepare my sacrifice of prayer to you. Every morning I lay out the pieces of my life on the altar and wait for your fire to fall upon my heart.

Psalm 5:1-3 TPT

In the day of my trouble I [desperately] sought the Lord; In the night my hand was stretched out [in prayer] without weariness; My soul refused to be comforted.

Psalm 77:2 AMP

Lord, bend down to listen to my prayer. I am in deep trouble. I’m broken and humbled, and I desperately need your help.

Psalm 86:1 TPT

The Psalms give great examples of desperate, honest prayers. Prayers like this are what make the impossible inevitable. What would an honest, desperate prayer look like for you today?

Powerful prayers unlock a powerful future.

Let’s look at how God moves when we cry out to him in desperation.

So they cried out to the LORD in their distress, and God delivered them from their desperate circumstances.

Psalm 107:6 CEB

Here’s what YAHWEH says to you: “I know all about the marvelous destiny I have in store for you, a future planned out in detail. My intention is not to harm you but to surround you with peace and prosperity and to give you a beautiful future, glistening with hope. [12] When you call on me and come to me in prayer, I will listen to your every word. [13] If you reach out to me, you will find me when you search for me with all your heart. [14] I will not disappoint you,” declares YAHWEH. “All that you have lost, I will restore, and I will regather you from all the nations where I have scattered you. I will bring you back home to the land from which I exiled you,” declares YAHWEH.

Jeremiah 29:11-13 TPT

God promises not to disappoint us. He has great plans and purposes for us. Do you dream about what God can give you? What power could you access from God if you just cried out to him?

Desperate prayers start with humility. 

God calls us to pray to him, and all we have to do is be humble enough to respond. 

Seek the Lord YAHWEH when he makes himself approachable; call upon him when you sense he is near.

Isaiah 55:6 TPT

“And when you come before God, don’t turn that into a theatrical production either. … [6] “Here’s what I want you to do: Find a quiet, secluded place so you won’t be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense his grace.

Matthew 6:5-6 MSG

Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in and eat with you. And you will eat with me.

Revelation 3:20 ERV

God is ready to deliver us in our desperation if we just open the door to him. Be honest about your struggles, be desperate with God in prayer, and watch him accomplish more than you could ever dream of.