A Prayer to Overcome Hardships
By Kelly Balarie
Read or Listen Below:
Bible Reading: “I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people…” – Ephesians 1:18 NIV
Sitting in the dark, I couldn’t see anything. I couldn’t see the lake I knew was in front of me. I couldn’t see the trees that stood on the left side of the horizon. I couldn’t see the grass that is normally there.
I closed my eyes to consider how darkness is nothingness. If I didn’t know better, I’d assume nothing was there.
The same goes for hard times. When we assume everything is just hopelessness and darkness, we assume nothing is there. We assume that, because of the darkness of the season – God has nothing for us, that He will do nothing with us, and that it must be because He is angry at us.
In the darkness of a hard season, what is before us cannot be seen. It’s black. It’s grim. It’s foreboding even.
I believe this is why Paul prayed, “I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people…” (Eph. 1:18 NIV)
Only when the eyes of our hearts are enlightened do we see hope. Light brings hope. Light lets us see what’s ahead, “the hope to which He has called” us, “the riches of his glorious inheritance.” When we see these things, we see life come back into us. Light that allows us to see the lay of God’s land brings needed life back into our hearts, even if we are struggling through the darkest days.
This is a key to overcoming. If we only see what is bad, what is hard, what is dim, what is hopeless, what is worthless – we will travel like sojourners on a dark road, bumping into everything.
But, when God enlightens the eyes of our heart, we will then say things like, “Wow, God is using the hard times to make me wiser and stronger…”, “This test is the making of a great testimony…”, “Powerful ministry comes from broken places, healed”, “Whoa, God is building something that endures through eternity.”
God is always up to something more; light gives us eyes to see it.
Then, when purpose arises out of what was once a deathly problem, the light of hope comes rushing right into what was once a dark room
Let’s Pray:
Father, like Paul prayed, I ask that you enlighten the eyes of my heart, in order that I may know the hope to which you have called me. I ask that you help me to see the hope of my glorious inheritance in Christ Jesus. May I see and understand what you are doing. Father, turn my dark days into light, by the power of your ever-working grace. Give me eyes to see and a heart to understand, spiritually. In Jesus’ mighty name. Amen.
Photo Credit: GettyImages/fizkes
Related Resource: How to Choose Your One Word for 2026
This month on the How to Study the Bible Podcast, we’re starting a new series called One Word 2026, and it’s meant to be a gentle but intentional way to reflect, respond, and reconnect with God as we begin the year. In this episode, I’m walking you through why I love taking the whole month of January to pause and listen — rather than rushing into resolutions or putting pressure on yourself to “get it all together” by January 1. We’re going to start with Philippians 1:3–11, where Paul reminds us that we can have real confidence because God is still working in us, and He’s not finished.
Then I’m going to share six words I’ve been praying over for our community — six spiritual intentions that I believe reflect the kind of growth God may be inviting us into this year. You don’t have to choose one right away, and you definitely don’t have to force it — but I hope that one of these words will resonate in your spirit and give you a steady anchor for 2026.
This episode is part of our How to Study the Bible Podcast, a show that brings life back to reading the Bible and helps you understand even the hardest parts of Scripture. If this episode helps you know and love God more, be sure to subscribe to the How to Study the Bible Podcast on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode!
