Last Updated on October 19, 2023 by Emma
My earliest memory of being defeated is in elementary school. Specifically with the weekly spelling tests. My mom would help me study on her bedroom floor. We tried different tactics and study techniques. However, every week I would be defeated by always missing at least one word.
These tests and the defeating results devastated me. Being defeated didn’t stop though. Throughout my education career, being a wife and mom, and just simply living out this life I have faced defeats.
If I could define those moments of defeat it would be that I felt like I had failed. It seems like failure and defeat can follow us around. Sometimes it feels very difficult to get out of the slump of failing.
We are stretched so thin on our time and energy that it feels like we are not succeeding at anything and life is just defeating us.
When I experience seasons like this I recognize that my work goes unfinished, and I am quick to get frustrated and hurt those around me.
I quickly have to remember that I am human and in a fallen world. That I have a savior who has rescued me from this world and the Holy Spirit refining me every day. There is grace for my defeats.
God uses what looks like our defeats for His glory. When Stephen was stoned to death, as recounted in Acts, it must have looked like a defeat to many of the Christians around.
God used Stephen’s death to scatter the believers so that the Gospel could reach people who needed to hear the good news of Christ.
And Saul approved of his execution. And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. (Acts 8:1 ESV)
Our defeats are not always bad and oftentimes God will use them for His glory and our good. These prayers are meant to encourage you to find hope in God when you are feeling defeated.
We would love to pray with you in order to encourage you during this time. Please comment below on how we can be praying for you.
Short Prayer For Feeling Defeated
God, I feel defeated. I have been struggling for some time now trying to do my best but it feels like I have not been able to succeed at anything I do.
God, I ask that you help me to see my situation through your eyes. Help me to see what is going on. Lord, if you are working on me and an area I need to grow in please give me the wisdom to see this.
Father, if you are using my situation to further your kingdom help me to accept what you have for me. Give me peace that you are in control even when I feel defeated.
Lord, I pray for strength, courage, and a clear mind so that I can do my work in a way that honors you. Help me to set healthy goals that are in line with your will in my life. Set my eyes on you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Prayer For Hope In My Defeat
Dear Heavenly Father, I feel so defeated. Nothing seems to be going the way I expected.
God, I pray that you use my failings for your good. Perhaps you are using this season of defeat to refine me. If that is so I pray that you draw me near to you. Help me to draw closer to you.
God, I praise you that you are sovereign in our defeats. You work everything together according to your plan. Help me to see your plan and give me patience when I don’t understand it. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Prayer For Humility In My Defeat
God, I ask that you give me humility as I deal with this defeat in my life. I thank you for your grace in this area.
But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” (James 4:6 ESV)
God, as I recount the Gospel I recognize that it begins with me recognizing that I can not save myself from my sin. It’s only by accepting my defeat that I can accept Jesus’s redemption.
God, I recognize that when I become proud I am setting myself up for defeat. Help me to walk with humility and not pride.
When I feel defeated help me remember that it is this position where I can see most clearly what you are doing in my life. Help me to look to you during this time and to stay humble through it all. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Prayer When Feeling Defeated At Work
God, I feel defeated at work today and I need your help. I do not feel like I have enough time or energy to get everything done that I need. When I get things finished I’m often called back to fix something I did incorrectly.
Father, I ask that you give me the strength and clarity of mind to be able to do my work well. God help me to work as if I were working for you.
Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, (Colossians 3:23 ESV)
Help me to have your eyes to see what is going on. I don’t want to work endlessly and continue to mess up and feel defeated if this is not where you want me. Please help me to make good decisions and seek after you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Prayer When Feeling Defeated At School
Dear Heavenly Father, You are Holy above all. I have no right on my own to come into your presence, but thank you for sending Jesus so I can come to you.
I am feeling defeated at school. I can not get the grades I need to, I’m struggling with friends, and I just can’t stay awake.
Lord, help me to not allow this to define me. Help me to remember that my identity is not simply in my performance at school but that I am a child of God. That identity can never be taken away because you are faithful.
God, I don’t want to continue to feel like I am failing in school. Will you give me wisdom to know what I need to change. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Prayer When Feeling Defeated In A Relationship
God, I just feel like I can not be successful in this relationship. I try to connect and the conversation falls flat. I try to be funny and end up just hurting feelings. I never seem to be able to make the right effort for the relationship to grow. I feel like I am being defeated by this relationship.
Lord, will you give me guidance on how to continue in this relationship? I want to honor you in all I do but this relationship is really hard. I want to be able to love this person as you have loved me but it just feels like I continue to fail.
Please help me in this relationship that I continue to feel defeated in. Jesus help me, Amen.
Prayer When Feeling Defeated In My Goals
God, I know I have set out goals for myself that I have not been able to reach. I have goals for my health, goals for my finances, goals for my family, and goals for life. I don’t feel like I’m meeting any of these goals.
God, I ask that You help me to see if these goals are in line with Your will for my life or if they are simply goals I have placed on myself. I don’t want to keep trying after these goals if they are not your plan for me.
However, if these are part of your plans for me I pray that you give me patience as I wait to see these goals come to completion. I pray that I will not feel defeated as I work toward these goals.
Thank you so that I can come to you when I’m feeling defeated please guide me even today in this area. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Prayer When Feeling Defeated In My Relationship With God
God, I feel like I am failing in my relationship with you. I have not felt close to you and I long to. Help me to remember that my salvation is not based on my works but through faith alone and by your grace alone.
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9 ESV)
Guide me on how I can grow closer to you as you are growing me to be more like Christ. Take any feeling of defeat away in this area and remind me of your grace and love over and over again. Amen.
Closing Thoughts
Feeling defeated is something we will all face. We have a God that has defeated sin, death, and hell. God has redeemed us from all our sins so we do not have to live a life of defeat. As we cling to this truth and run after what God wants for us we can begin to feel less defeated and more confident.
We hope these prayers helped you cry out to God during your time of feeling defeated and pointed you back to the one who can rescue you.
Please comment below if you would like us to be praying with you as you feel defeated. God loves to hear from you and wants to encourage you with His love and truth.