Faith Affirming Teacup Prayers for a Woman's Life

   Lord Jesus, the Scriptures remind me “A faithful [woman] will abound with blessings (Prov.28:20). It’s a passage I visit often. I know when any of us are faithful in little You will make us faithful in much or plenty (Luke 16:10). I pray don’t let the fact that I don’t have much expendable income, or a large size home, or the newest trend in clothing, or the most up-to-date car with all the bells and whistles, or the ability to travel to far-off or exotic places, or the fact that I have physical challenges or limitations, or that I am too young or too old, be an excuse to not enjoy my life. I pray to make the most of what I have and find ways to be creative on a tight budget. I will stop using excuses to-not-do something based on what I don’t have to justify my unhappiness and, instead, I will take what I have been given and find ways to open up my world and have as much fun as possible. When I open my physical and spiritual eyes, I will see that You have given me more than I could ever thank You for; I am extremely blessed with a bright and resourceful mind, and I can learn to make lemonade out of lemons if I need to! In the name of Jesus my Savior and Inspiration for living a good life on a shoestring, I pray. Amen                 

 Holy God and Lord, today I rejoice as I realize I’ve made it through my week. That’s been no little task. I’m so happy to have the weekend in front of me and the week behind me. Today I’m even more aware of the truth that all week I have overcome every obstacle that presented itself and I have managed to rise above every doubt that crept up; those inner doubts that started out as seeds so tiny they can barely be recognized but are always stirring behind the scenes, in my heart and mind. I have discovered I am much stronger than I’ve thought and way more intelligent and resourceful than I tend to give myself credit for. I’ve been reminded and I celebrate more than anything that me plus You are an awesome, amazing, unstoppable and undefeatable team! In the Holy name of Jesus, I celebrate You and I praise You Father. Amen          

  Savior, Jesus, I pray, whether I am wearing my sexiest pair of Stilettos or kicking it in a well-worn pair of Birkenstocks, that I will remember to walk boldly into my day and boldly into my life and the challenges that present themselves. I pray to remember every minute of this day that You did not give me a spirit of timidity or fear and I don’t need to cower or shrink back no matter how big or strong or powerful my enemy is—I have You on my side, I am a daughter of the Most High God, made precious in His sight—and You knit into my being a spirit of confidence and boldness, and as some Bible translations say, I have a spirit of self-love. I am not a weakling nor lightweight, but I am Your beloved daughter shaped for this moment and up to the challenges that come my way. In Your Most Holy and confident name I pray. Amen     

 Holy God, I don’t know what it is about Wednesday, but it always reminds me that I have survived 100% of my very worst days! That’s a great feeling! Wednesday also reminds me that since I’ve managed to survive 100% of my worst days, that I can keep going, I can keep on surviving, and more than that, I can be victorious through my worst days. I refuse to have a defeatist mindset! I refuse to let the trials and difficulties, the dark days of this life get me down and keep me down. I refuse to let the wicked of this world and the wicked one who rules the hearts of so many in this world, take away my joy or determine my strength or successes. I’m so happy to belong to You Jesus! So happy that, in Your strength I have strength. So happy that I can make a difference for so many in this life! I praise You Jesus for Wednesday and every other day of the week. I thank and praise You that I have “woman” strength, heart, and purpose. I am designed and have been fashioned by You to make an impact. Today, somebody’s life is going to be changed because they have been in my presence. In Your holy name I pray. Amen     

Heavenly Father, what a blessing that each new day holds its own opportunities and paths to choose from. I open my eyes, and I have the choice to carry happiness or bitterness in my soul, peace or inner chaos, misery or open my arms and heart to hope. I can either feel the freedom forgiving others brings or die a little each day by holding onto bitterness and pain. 

Thank You for personal growth and expanding my horizons. When I choose qualities such as confidence, hope, happiness, and positivity I experience new life in my spirit. Your Word says, “The old has gone the new has come” (Isa. 43:19). As Your daughter, wondrously and tenderly made I can welcome the “new” You have planned for me and my life. I can look forward to each new day, and I can take new paths that promise new adventures and opportunities. 

Thank You God for every new day that gives way to new blessings. Knowing the possibilities that lay before me I welcome today. I’ll live today with a new mindset. I am ready to embrace today. In Jesus’ holy name I pray. Amen         

Heavenly Father, sometimes the challenges I face in this life and on my journey as a woman can be unique to my gender. I pray to remember every challenge that presents itself in my day, during my week, and in my life doesn’t have to be viewed as something bad or negative. I don’t have to always think it’s the devil trying to stop me or Satan making an attack on my life, or a force of evil trying to prevent me from reaching my goals. Instead, may I view challenges for what they are: opportunities for self-discovery and for me to experience personal, emotional, mental, relational, financial, intellectual, physical and spiritual growth. I do not need to be stumped nor discouraged by challenges but use them to my advantage and increase in strength. In the holy and all-sufficient name of Jesus I pray. Amen     

And Adam named his wife Eve, because she would be the mother of all the living—Genesis 3:20

God of all creation, in the beginning You, Jesus and the Holy Spirit collaborated to create humans in Your image. First Adam was made from dust, and then Eve was formed out of Adam’s side. Adam named his wife Eve, because she was the mother of all the living. Eve was the perfect helpmeet for Adam and the perfect one to become the nurturer of all. Nurturing others is a quality and nature I share with the first woman Eve, and unless we are walking closely with You, we cannot have the perspective or balance we need to have.

Through the creation story we are reminded of the incredible significance of life and lineage that You have woven into the fabric of our being. The role Eve was given as the mother of all the living, and as a nurturer in no way diminishes or reduces her importance and wholeness. As women—we don’t have to have children or a spouse to be a nurturer. Married, single, young, old nurturing others can come easily and naturally. Nurturing and encouraging others for their growth and development is a quality and nature I not only share with the first woman Eve, but one I share with You. I’m proud of this Lord, and happy to fulfill this role You have assigned me!

I pray, as I nurture others, help me to also practice healthy self-care so I don’t neglect my own needs which can be so easy to do. I want to leave a legacy of love that will be passed down for generations. I especially want to have a healthy impact on the women in my life so they can know the incredible contributions mothers, daughters, and sisters can have in their families, their communities, their churches and the world. 

May I always recognize I am precious and unique, formed intentionally by You. Empower me to fulfill the role of nurturing others with compassion and grace. In Jesus’ name. Amen    

 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that--I Timothy 6:8

Dear God, 

Protect me from the trap of being materialistic. Take away my focus on acquiring things. Sometimes I feel surrounded by those who think their happiness depends on how much stuff they have and, at times I am influenced by the materialism of others and find myself caught up in their worldliness but when I look closer I can see how unhappy they are deep in their spirit, feeling their life is lacking all because they may not have all the possessions they long for, and I am shaken from my stupor. After all, how many shoes, clothes, cars, houses, or titles can a woman have before she is truly happy? How much can I put into my home before I feel satisfied? When the desire for more is not put into check by gratitude then we can be swallowed up and consumed. 

Lord, help me to be content with the little I have. Help me to find happiness in the simple things of life. Don’t let my disposition or peace become dependent on what or how much I have. I already know when I leave this world I cannot bring anything with me. The accumulation of things is not only a waste of time and resources, but also a waste of energy that could go towards things that are more eternal and beneficial.   

I know You will test me from time to time about this so I pray for a pure heart that is free and unburdened from materialism and always wanting more. May I make peace with what I have so I can live at peace with myself, others, and most importantly, be at peace with You. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen    

 Therefore go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, eve not the end of the age”—Matthew 28:19-20

Dear Jesus, at one time, just reading your parting command to Your followers to make disciples of all nations and people, would have sent me into a tizzy. I would have made all kinds of excuses why this didn’t mean me. Honestly, at one time I would have been looking for a reason to be excused from Your command to disciple others.   

Today, I am excited and encouraged to know I can participate in making disciples and enlarging the kingdom of God on earth and for eternity; discipling doesn’t need to be hard or complicated. At one time, I didn’t feel very confident about this. I concentrated too much on my deficits. At times I felt as though I didn’t know the Bible well enough, that I didn’t have much—if anything—to offer other women, that my schedule was already overcrowded and I was at my max. I would have offered that my own life wasn’t in order and how could I disciple anyone else when my own life was such a mess.

Thank You for teaching me through example Jesus, that I don’t need to be perfect, my finances don’t have to be perfect, that even though my life has things going on, I still have so much to offer, I am capable of passing on what I have learned in life. Thank you, that I’m no longer intimidated by the more seasoned or prolific. I pray that You will lead the women to me that I can disciple and in my own creative way. I don’t have to do it like anyone else; just be myself.

Jesus, I’m willing to share my life with other women. I know the more I am willing to share my real life with other women, the more effective our discipleship times become, and the more women will see You through me. 

Thank You, that today I know deep in my heart I am a natural discipler; I have nothing to fear or be anxious about. Discipling women comes naturally to me because You help me keep-it-real. Amen                 

"I am both a masterpiece and a work in progress"—Ephesians 2:10

Dear God, sometimes my emotions feel overwhelming. I might have difficulty catching my breath, or, at times, I feel as though everything is collapsing around me. I am feeling overwhelmed, anxious, painted in a corner, panicky…

When that happens, I've learned to lightly touch my fingertips together, feel my heartbeat through them, take deep breaths so my lungs fill up, and whisper to myself words of affirmation. I give myself permission to feel my feelings. And remind myself that I am allowed to feel feelings. I am allowed to have emotions. I am in control of my emotions even when my emotions are uncomfortable. I remind myself that even if others judge me because of my emotions, I don't judge myself. And I’m okay.

Lord, I've discovered that even if my emotions are strong, I can welcome them and open my heart to receive them with kindness. I don’t have to live by anyone else’s design of how I should be. My strong emotions don’t indicate I’m not handling things well or that I’m being childish or immature. Emotions are just tools I have been given, and I do not need to be fearful of them, or fearful of feeling their intensity.  

When my emotions are running high, I can be at peace knowing I have the right tools to handle them and when I stop and breathe even my uncomfortable emotions will simmer down and my spirit will become quieted, like the clouds that pass in the sky. 

I've discovered that when I give myself over into Your care, God, I am alright and can continue whatever task is mine to accomplish. I am a woman and there's nothing I cannot do through You. In Jesus' Name I pray. Amen 

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!—2 Corinthians 5:117 (NLT)

Dear Jesus, I am work in progress and that’s not a bad thing. In fact, that’s more than okay. Aren’t we all a work in progress; don’t we all change from what we once were? I’ll be changing and evolving and morphing my entire life. It’s more than being a feminine creation; it’s the condition of all humanity. We enter into this world as babies and from that point on we’re on a path that never stops changing. As a woman I can change up my looks, change my mind, change directions, change my friend-group, change my environment; even my relationship to Your Holy presence is changing. As I grow and mature and learn and understand I’m changing from being shaky in my faith to being on a more solid footing. You show me daily that nothing is so sacred it cannot be changed.   

Thank You, God, for the ability to make changes. Thank You God for accepting me in my seasons of change, for being super patient with me and loving me through all my seasons of change. You remind me every day that change is not only natural, but also good and inevitable. We don’t need to be so rigid we cannot change. Even as You worked with the clay pot it changed. Even while it was being worked in Your hand and responding to Your fingers, it was changing shape, yielding to Your touch. 

I won’t resist change, Lord. Instead I’ll welcome it and look forward to it. I am in Christ and therefore I am a new creation; always changing. Amen