5 Prayers For the Days When You Feel Behind

Life moves so fast sometimes, and it’s easy to feel like we’re constantly falling “behind” in one area or another. Whether you wake up late and think you’ll never accomplish your daily responsibilities, or whether you feel like you’re running behind in life in general, it can seem impossible to keep up.

When we get caught up in these negative feelings, it’s important to remind ourselves of the truth in God’s Word.

Caught in the Comparison Game

As a busy mom to three kids, I always feel like I’m behind and can’t seem to catch up. If I’m honest, I don’t even know what I’m trying to “catch up” on. Yet, it feels as if everyone’s life is more put together than mine. Other moms are surely more organized and on top of things than I am. What’s wrong with me, making it so I never have enough time in the day to do all the things I think I should?

The funny thing is, if you ask any mom, I don’t think even one will tell you she has it all together. We would probably all admit to feeling like a failure at times. The good news for all of us is that we don’t have to compete with one another. We don’t need to try to live up to some impossible standard. We simply need to lean into who God says we are and the things He wants us to be doing.

5 Prayers to Refocus

When your priorities get off track, or you feel like you’re falling behind, here are 5 simple prayers to help you reset your focus:

“Remind me that my goal is to please You, not others.”

As natural as it is to want to please others, we don’t have to prove ourselves to anyone in this life. God put us here to love our neighbors, not try to keep up with them.

“For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.” (Galatians 1:10, ESV)

“Help me to be patient and trust your plan.”

Sometimes our lives don’t look the way we expected. Maybe things are moving slower than we want, or circumstances are beyond our control, and it feels like we’re behind everyone else.

We need to trust that God has us right where we’re supposed to be, and His plan for us is good.

“Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.” (Proverbs 19:21, ESV)

“Let me not get distracted or discouraged by trying to keep up with others.”

God made us who we are for a reason. He made each of us unique with a distinct personality and purpose in life. We each have a role in His Kingdom, and He wants us working together, not comparing ourselves to one another.

“For the body does not consist of one member but of many. If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. If all were a single member, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, yet one body.” (1 Corinthians 12:14-20, ESV)

“Lord, please be with me throughout my day and direct my steps.”

We can surrender our days and schedules to the Lord, as he holds us and directs our steps. Even when our lengthy to-do list calls and pressure come from all angles, we need to surrender our days to God and trust him to guide our every step.

“The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when he delights in his way; though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the Lord upholds his hand.” (Psalm 37:23-24, ESV)

“Give me the strength and energy to do the tasks you have for me and the wisdom to let the things that don’t matter go.”

We tend to expend a lot of energy on things that don’t truly matter. We should seek God’s wisdom daily to help us focus on the things He has for us and let go of the rest.

“Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:31-33, ESV)

Perseverance Over Perfection

God doesn’t have unreasonable expectations or timelines for us. He wants us to submit our days to him in love and obedience. We need to clearly focus on Jesus and ask him to help us spend our time and energy wisely throughout the day.

“He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:8, ESV)