20 Powerful Prayers for Peace During Difficult Times

Updated January 26, 2024

In a world so full of chaos, heartache, and division, it's common to feel at a loss in terms of comfort and peace of mind. You may want to lift up a prayer for peace, but with your minds so scattered in the middle of difficult times, you may not know where to start or what word to use. When you feel overwhelmed by stressful and anxious thoughts, reciting a prayer for peace can be a powerful way to find calm in the storm.

You can call upon God for strength as you ask for peace in your own thoughts, when recovering from sickness, within relationships or in dealing with family difficulties. Whatever the struggle or trial, these prayers for peace can help you find faith and strength for the journey. Take some time to seek solace and a quiet place to offer up a prayer to God. Remember, you don’t have to pray “all the right words” in order for God to hear the desires of our hearts. Simply reading these sample prayers for peace out-loud can help you, or someone you know, find comfort and calmness.

Prayer For Peace of Mind

Precious Savior, my mind is scattered. I find it difficult to focus, even on this prayer. It seems that the pressure from the stress of everything around me might drive me crazy. Please grant me peace of mind and clarity. You are my Prince of Peace. Please grant me peace of mind now. Amen.

Prayer to Not Fear

Father God, I know it is normal for us to sometimes find ourselves in a pit of fear and discouragement. But we don’t have to stay there. Today, we’re choosing to fix our eyes on You. And we’re remembering that each thing we verbalize our thankfulness for is like a stepping stone out of the pit we’ve been in. Thank You for providing Your timeless truths that prove to us over and over again how powerfully capable You always are. With You by our side, we have no need to fear. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. – Lysa Terkeurst

A Prayer for Patience & Peace

God, teach us what it means to have faith in silence. When we face trials that are beyond our understanding, help us to find peace. Help me be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer. You set all things in accordance to your time. Remind us to wait patiently, and find peace in your plan. - Dick Woodward

St. Francis of Assisi: Make Me an Instrument of Your Peace

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

Amen.

Prayer for Peace And Healing

Great Healer, I need your peace and healing in my life. Grant me both so that I may take heart and face the trial set before me. Help me to press on in the race of life so that I may have the victory. Amen.

Fix My Eyes on Jesus

Father, Thank You for inviting me to trust You with my overwhelming day. Holy Spirit, please help me to fix my eyes and my mind on You—not on my abilities to get it all done with the help of caffeine. Help me to put my trust in You, as I eagerly anticipate the peace You’ve promised to put in me. Fill me up with Your sweet peaceful-presence as I sing, “Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus, oh for grace to trust You more. Amen. – Wendy Speake

Heal Stress and Anxiety

Heavenly Father, I come before you seeking your calming presence to bring peace to my troubled heart. My soul feels like a restless sea, tossing and turning with worries. Please grant me the inner strength and clarity of mind to discover my purpose and follow the path you have planned for me. I place my trust in your boundless love, knowing that you will heal the stress and anxiety that weights me down and burdens me. Light up the darkness Lord and let your light shine the way for me. Amen.

A Prayer for Strength In Weakness

Lord, when I look upon the state of the world, my weakness becomes apparent. I ask that through my weakness that I may find strength and peace in you, and you alone. Amen.

A Prayer to Calm a Troubled Heart

Loving God, please grant me peace of mind and calm my troubled heart.

My soul is like a turbulent sea. I can't seem to find my balance so I stumble and worry constantly.

Give me the strength and clarity of mind to find my purpose and walk the path you've laid out for me.

I trust your Love God, and know that you will heal this stress.

Just as the sun rises each day against the dark of night. Please bring me clarity with the light of God.

Amen.

Trade Fear for Faith

Dear God, I need Your peace today. I know that in order to be at rest I have to stop juggling fear with faith. So I ask for Your wisdom. Help me to be brave. I come now and hand over these concerns (pause to personalize this). Fill me with Your love, joy and peace instead, Lord. Amen. – Gwen Smith

Lord, I Need Your Comfort

Lord, my Comforter and Healer, I need your comfort now. My mind, my city, my world is all set on edge. But I know that in the midst of the fire, your saints have found comfort in your presence and your wonderful plan. Offer me comfort now and sit with me in the midst of my hurting and confusion. Amen.

A Prayer for Peace in the World

God, it seems that every time I turn on the news, the world gets a little worse each day. I know sin has ravaged this planet and that the world will lack complete peace until you return. Nevertheless, I ask that you intervene in the world and grant us peace. Help us to find more ways to love our neighbors and show the world your goodness. Amen.

Make Me Peacemaker

Jesus, today I pray You would show me how to be a peacemaker. As the Prince of Peace, steady my heart to surrender control of situations over to You. Help me untangle any feelings of unresolved hurt in my heart so I can truly walk in the beauty of forgiveness. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. – Lysa Terkeurst

Give Me Courage Lord

Heavenly Father, help me remember who I am and whose I am. Open my eyes and mind to see and understand the truth in Your Word that I am Your masterpiece, created in Your image. Give me the courage to speak these truths to myself each day. Thank You for loving every part of me even when I don’t. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. – Jami Amerine

For Peace and Unity in the Country

Builder of All Things, my country seems to fall apart more and more each day. Neighbor has turned against neighbor, and we’ve focused more on our differences than the fact that we are all uniquely made in the image of You. Please help to unify us and see that we need to love each other rather than cling to our differences. Amen.

Peace Through Grace

Dear God, thank You for Your truly amazing grace. Please help me give Your grace away to others as freely as I’ve received it from You. May I see You as God over the small things, just as much as the big ones, so I can experience Your unending peace. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. – Jasmine Williams

Prayer for Peace in the Family

Heavenly Father, in a world where it often feels like the devil seeks to create discord within Christian families, we come before You seeking Your divine intervention. We pray for the strength and grace to overcome the challenges that threaten to pull our family apart. Please guide us towards a harmonious and peaceful family life. We ask for Your loving presence to surround us and protect us from the forces that aim to disrupt our unity. In Your holy name, we humbly request peace and serenity within our family. Amen.

A Prayer When Tempted to Worry

Lord, I thank You for allowing me to come boldly before You in prayer. I know that You love me and want to richly meet the needs I am facing in my life today. My temptation is to worry and fear, but I know that if I will trust You, everything I am concerned about will turn out all right. Right now I reject the temptation to worry, and I choose to come before You to boldly make my requests known. By faith, I thank You in advance for acting to answer my requests! – Sparkling Gems

Prayer for Calmness

Dear God, Thank you for Your peace that surpasses all understanding. In times of uncertainty and unrest, we seek Your peace to calm troubled hearts, weary souls, and worn-torn lands. When we’ve lost hope, may Your peace remind us that You are in complete control, and will continue to lead us. May Your peace bring clarity where there is doubt, joy where there is sorrow, and hope where there is hopelessness. Despite what our eyes see daily on the news, thank you for your peace that revives our hope, trust, and confidence in You.

When our minds are anxious, may Your peace strengthen and sustain us. Thank you for your peace that brings stillness to our storms. Your peace also reminds us that You are always present and will continue to lead us through challenging times. When our hearts, minds, and spirits are restless, thank you for Your peace that bring us rest and calm. When our minds wander, thank you for Your peace that redirects us back to You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Prayer for Peace in Our City

My Might Fortress, I ask for peace not only in the world but within my city specifically. Help me to see those within our own borders who need to see and experience your lovingkindness and grace. Help me to spread peace in what ways I can, and to bring a piece of your kingdom here to this city. Amen.

In Times of Sickness

God, I find myself in a helpless situation. Someone I know has fallen into an illness, and I find myself trapped in my inability to help them. Please grant me and my friend peace. I know you are a healer and that you have a good plan for everyone. Grant us peace, no matter what the outcome of the situation. Amen.

Prayer for Peace in the Bible

2 Thessalonians 3:16: “Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.”

Colossians 3:15: “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.”

John 14:27: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

Psalm 29:11: “The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace.”

Philippians 4:6-7: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

For more examples of verses on peace in the Bible, check out this article here.

Loss of a Loved One

Precious Jesus, I have lost someone very dear to me. I ask that you give me peace and comfort now. I don’t have the right words to say, because I’m at a loss for words. But I know you know my heart. Be here for me and my loved ones. Amen.

Prayer for Unshakeable Peace

Dear Lord, I need your unshakable peace! Please forgive me for placing my trust and hope in things of this earth. As the psalmist, David said, “Apart from You, I have no good thing.” Lead my soul to find rest in You and in Your perfect plan for my life.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen. – Gwen Smith

With Difficult People

Father, I am so thankful that You love me – rough edges and all. Please help me to love others in the same way. Amen. – Mary Southerland

This article is part of our prayer resource meant to inspire and encourage your prayer life when you face uncertain times. Remember, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us, and God knows your heart even if you can't find the words to pray.

Prayers for Healing That Bring Daily Strength and Comfort
Prayers for Strength to Use in Difficult Times
Can We Really Pray Without Ceasing?
Powerful Morning Prayers to Begin Your Day

Types of Prayers We See in the Bible
What Is the Prayer of Jabez in the Bible?
How to Pray for Your Daily Bread
Prayers for Anxiousness

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