Struggling with self-esteem and insecurities? Use these prayers for confidence to overcome fear and lies and grow your identity in Christ.
Insecurity can creep into our lives easily. I would bet that there is not a single person on earth who does not struggle with some sort of insecurity. There are many things that people are insecure about.
The most prominent one is the way we look. Many of us are used to nitpicking ourselves in the mirror or trying to cover up a part of ourselves that we dislike.
This insecurity, which can often turn into low self-esteem is what often leaves many of us feeling less than confident. But what does true confidence really look like? The world’s definition of confidence is being self-assured and feeling capable and firm in your abilities.
One of the other ways that the world promotes confidence is through what we look like, or how we carry ourselves. Sometimes there is even a “starter pack” for what this looks like. It can be wearing slim fitting, or revealing clothing, having a “desirable” physique or making lots of money.
When we take a quick scroll on social media, it’s no wonder that so many people, even Christians feel a lack of confidence or unhappiness with themselves.
There are so many pictures to compare ourselves to, but we often forget that what we are seeing is a curated picture, and we try to compare our reality with that online life that we only see glimpses of.
It’s important for us to realize that our worth, and confidence were never meant to come from external sources. When that is the case, we will always be striving to reach a goal post that is constantly moving, and when it changes, it is as though all our worth and confidence shatter along with it.
When we become new creatures in Christ, our old self, who strived for worth, confidence, or self-esteem dies along with us. We no longer have to cater to our flesh, because we have a new identity in Christ.
It no longer becomes confidence in self, it becomes confidence in Christ. It no longer is about our outward appearance, or whether it is aligned with the world’s standards, it is about God’s truth concerning us.
His truth says that we were made in His image. He made us fearfully and wonderfully, and knit us together intricately in our mother’s womb with special care and attention.
If you’re struggling with low self-esteem, the world will tell you to look deeper into yourself, but what God’s word tells us is to take our eyes off ourselves and look to Christ. In Him, we find our true value and confidence.
You can bring those concerns to God in prayer, ask Him to help you fix your eyes on Him, and begin to see yourself the way He sees you.
4 Prayers for Confidence & Low Self-Esteem
1. Prayer to Grow in Your Identity in Christ
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” – 1 Peter 2:9
Heavenly Father,
I am so thankful that I can look to You for my identity. I admit, there are many times when I lose sight of You, and I forget where my true worth lies. Sometimes the world’s standards feel crushing, and it is hard to take my eyes off of it.
But I know that I was never meant to live up to those expectations, and they are temporary and unsatisfactory at its core. Please forgive me for trying to find my identity in the world, when it can only be found in You. Whenever I feel inadequate or insecure, remind me to turn to Your word, and to meditate on what You have already said about me.
Your word says that I am a part of a chosen people, a royal priesthood, and a holy nation. I am your special possession, and there is nothing that the world can offer that will ever compare to that truth. Please help me to grow in the knowledge of Christ, and as a result grow in my identity in Christ. In Jesus’ name, amen.
2. Prayer to Be Transformed by God’s Word, Not Conformed to the World
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” – Romans 12:1-2
Lord,
Thank You for giving us Your word, by which we can know You, and be taught, convicted, equipped, challenged, encouraged and changed. The day that I gave my life to Christ, is the day that my old self was crucified and I rose to a new self, who is alive to Christ and dead to sin.
Though I no longer am a slave to sin, my flesh still struggles within me. One of those struggles that I face is low self-esteem, and comparing myself to the world and those around me. But Your Word reminds me that my body is not meant to be a living sacrifice for the world and its standards. It is meant to be a living sacrifice to God, and You gave me it to serve You.
Please transform my mind, and the way that I think about myself. Help me not to conform to the world, but to be renewed in my mind. Grant me the eyes to see myself as You do, and to be Christ focused, not self focused. In Jesus’ name, amen.
3. Prayer to Overcome Fear
“The Lord is my light and my salvation whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life of whom shall I be afraid?” – Psalm 27:1
Father,
I constantly feel driven by fear, the things that I want to do, I don’t do out of fear and a lack of confidence. I know that in Christ, there is nothing that I need to fear. But I know that it is not something that comes easy, it is something that requires faith and daily application.
Your word says that the beginning of wisdom is the fear of the Lord. I confess, there are times when it seems as though I fear people more than I fear You. Though I may not outright say that, my actions do at times show this to be true. I know that that is no way to live, and that it will only cripple me.
Please help me to grow in my reverence and awe toward You, and have a disposition of love towards others, not fear.
Remind me that I don’t have to fear anything or anyone when You are my stronghold and my salvation. Please grant me the confidence to do what I need to do, or what You call me to do, knowing that You will be with me every step of the way. In Jesus’ name, amen.
4. Prayer for Courage & Confidence
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” – Joshua 1:9
Lord in Heaven,
Today I am in need of the kind of courage and confidence that only You can give. Sometimes I feel absolutely terrified, and I struggle with feeling confident. But I am reminded today that it is not confidence in myself that You call me to.
It is confidence in You. When I look at myself, all I see is my shortcomings, but when I look to Christ, I see perfection. I see all that my heart needs. Please help me to look to Christ who strengthens me and uses even the parts of me that I may see as faulty, for His good.
When I remember who You are, and what Your character is like, it strengthens my identity in You. I know that You have created the world, and everything in it, which means that there is nothing that is impossible for You.
Because I am Yours, and You are always with me, this means that I don’t have to be afraid because there is nothing that You are afraid of.
Please help me to meditate on who You are in times when I feel ridden with doubt and fear, and all I want to do is run or hide. Help me to stand firmly on Your shoulders and rise above the things or people that I have lived in fear of.
I ask that Your Holy Spirit would fill me with courage in the times when I need it most, and that You would strengthen me. Help me not to allow fear to take my eyes off of You, and to rob me of the peace, strength and courage that is found in Christ. In Jesus’ name, amen.
