I remember sitting at my desk, staring into the palms of my hands and wondering if I had made a major mistake. Just weeks into a new job, I felt flawed, inadequate and unimportant. I felt discouraged and exhausted. And I felt worthless.

As my organization’s “wordsmith,” I often spent hours crafting and molding my writing until I felt comfortable with every word and every character. But after submitting my work for approval, I routinely received blunt and degrading feedback. My editor seemed to miss the “constructive” component of constructive criticism, which routinely left me feeling like a second-rate writer.

After weeks of trying to feel like a valued member of my team, I realized that I had left God out of the process; I had tried to find peace on my own strength. Naturally, this approach didn’t get me very far. But then my wife texted me the words of Isaiah 43:4, which read: “I will give up whole nations to save your life, because you are precious to me …” (GNTD).

In this moment, I felt comforted. I felt optimistic. And I felt the power of God’s inconceivable love. Of course, I still wrestled with feelings of worthlessness and inadequacy, though God’s Word offered the peace and reassurance I so desperately needed.

If you someone or something has left you feeling worthless today, turn to God’s Word for comfort, hope and affirmation. These four prayers will get you started:

  1. God, help me feel your presence.
    I will give up whole nations to save your life, because you are precious to me and because I love you and give you honor. Do not be afraid—I am with you!– Isaiah 43:4 (GNTD)
  2. God, give me strength when I feel weak.
    The Sovereign Lord gives me strength. He makes me sure-footed as a deer and keeps me safe on the mountains.– Habakkuk 3:19 (GNTD)
  3. God, give me peace when I feel unsettled.
    Only God gives inward peace, and I depend on him. God alone is the mighty rock that keeps me safe, and he is the fortress where I feel secure.– Psalm 62:5-6 (GNTD)
  4. God, give me confidence when I feel afraid.  
    Let us be bold, then, and say, “The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid. What can anyone do to me?”– Hebrews 13:6 (GNTD)