May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.  – Colossians 1:11-12 (ESV)

I came across these verses about a month ago, and it has become my prayer for many people I know who are facing trials and struggles.  I believe it might be a helpful model for you too in your prayers for the hurting and weary – maybe even yourself.

Strength – Our strength is small.  And so we pray that God would strengthen us with his power and might each day as we walk through our trials. 

Endurance – Sometimes it is easy to give up, to despair.   And so we pray that God would give us strength to endure, to press on, to persevere, to hold onto him.

Patience – Sometimes it is easy to become impatient with trials that continue on and on, with the things that slow us down or hold us back.  It is easy to get frustrated.  Ando so we pray that God would give us strength to be patient in the midst of our trials. 

Joy and thanksgiving – It can be incredibly hard to be joyful and thankful in the midst of trials.  But Paul points us beyond our circumstances to a glorious truth that will never change.  The Father has granted us salvation.  This is reason to rejoice and give thanks.  And so we pray that God would give us strength to remember our great salvation, and find joy and gratitude in it always.

Inheritance – Life can be hard now, but a glorious day is coming when there will be no more trials, no more tears, no more sickness, no more pain.  We will dwell with our Lord forever.  And so we pray that God would give us strength to remember our glorious hope.

Father, there are so many who are hurting and weary, ourselves included.  Strengthen us with your mighty power so that we may endure with patience, joyfully give thanks for your great salvation, and cling to our glorious hope.  Amen.