1. Remember Why You’re Valuable.
Before you ever had any money, before you were able to earn an income
or own anything, you were loved. Even if you were born into a difficult
situation, there have been people who’ve shown you love and care simply
because you are a living, breathing human being made in the image of
God. If you feel alone right now, there is a God who loves you and wants good for you. We think that’s one reason you’re here reading
this article. We wrote it because we care about you, too. You are valuable because you exist. You exist because God wanted to
know you. You may not believe this, but if you do, will you try saying
it either out loud or to yourself? I'm valuable because I exist. I exist because God wanted to know me. This truth is present throughout the Bible, and especially in these words from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount.
“Look at the birds of the air; they do
not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father
feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?” Matthew 6:26
2. Be Honest With Yourself.
Financial crises can make us feel like the world is crashing down on
us. Despair, fear, and shame can cause us to ignore our bank statements
and fail to make needed changes. It might be painful to acknowledge the situation you’re in, but you can’t find peace when you’re running from your problems. Take a bold step and be honest
with yourself. How? By looking at your finances and documenting what’s
happening. This is important for a number of reasons.
First, it can help you
identify where your money is going. Sometimes we’re faced with
unexpected costs that are outside of our control—like paying for a new
roof after a storm or medical bills after breaking a bone.
But some costs are under our control—like how often we eat out every
month or buy new things. Gaining a better understanding of where your
money is going can help you identify ways you might be able to cut back.
Second, when you look at your records, you may realize money has been
leaving your account without your awareness. Maybe you’re paying for a
streaming service you’re no longer using, or someone charged you more
for a service than you agreed to pay. Maybe someone gained access to
your account and has been siphoning money out. Checking whether you
recognize all of the withdrawals that have been made on your account can
make a difference to your finances.
3. Talk With God.
Although prayer should not be your last or only effort, it’s really
helpful to make it a regular and consistent part of how you move through
all of life, including moments of crisis. God already knows what you’re
experiencing, but He wants to hear from you about it. It’s okay if your prayers start out short, scared, or overwhelmed. God can handle it.
Praying every time you start worrying is a good idea. Praying
every day, throughout the day, and bringing your hopes, dreams,
gratitude, fears, needs, heart, and mind to God is an even better idea.
Here are some example prayers that can help you get started.
> A Prayer for Finances
- A prayer when your finances feel out of control
- Words to say when you're unsure how to make ends meet
- A way to ask God for provision and peace
"Dear God, Please bring me peace and
provide for my financial needs. Help me to manage my finances wisely and
navigate any challenges that come my way. Help me to find my confidence
in You. I trust that You're in control—even when my finances feel out
of control. You are my strength in all situations. In Jesus' name, amen."
> A Prayer for Peace During Financial Difficulties
- A prayer to calm your anxiety about money
- Comfort when you're facing financial hardship
- A reminder that God is with you in the storm
"Lord, I turn to You for peace in the middle of my financial challenges. Please calm my worries and fears by reminding me of Your promise to sustain me. Guide me and provide for me as I keep looking to You. Help me to face financial stress with clarity and confidence—trusting You to see me through this storm. In Jesus' name, amen."
> A Prayer for Financial Wisdom
- A prayer for making wise money decisions
- Guidance on how to budget or spend wisely
- Help honoring God with your finances
"Father, I know You're with me, even when I feel overwhelmed by financial decisions. Please fill me with wisdom and clarity as I do my best to make the right choices. Help me to spend
money well, and use money wisely. I ask that You help me make financial decisions that honor you. In Jesus' name, amen."
> A Prayer for Financial Blessings
- A prayer for a financial breakthrough
- Hope when your situation feels hopeless
- Encouragement that God will provide
"Jesus, I come to You asking for
financial help. Even when my situation seems hopeless, I trust Your
promise to provide. Help me to see how You’re working in my life, and
lead me toward people who can help. I know You are good, and I know You can provide a financial breakthrough. In Your name, Jesus, amen."
> A Prayer for Financial Freedom
- A prayer to break free from debt
- Strength to take steps toward financial peace
- Encouragement to keep going when freedom feels far away
"Holy Spirit, thank You for providing me with wisdom and strength as I pursue financial freedom. Please help me find guidance and peace. Lead me toward steps I can take to reduce debt and give me the courage to follow through. In Jesus’ name, amen."
> A Prayer for Financial Stability
- A prayer to help you build long-term financial security
- Encouragement when you're tired of living paycheck to paycheck
- A way to ask God for peace and provision in uncertain times
"Dear Lord, help me build a stable
financial future so I can make a difference. Teach me to manage what I
have with wisdom and trust You with what I don’t yet see. Calm my fears
and guide me toward lasting peace and provision. I trust that You are my
provider, even when things feel uncertain. In Jesus' name, amen."
> A Prayer for Restoration After Financial Loss
- A prayer after experiencing a financial setback or loss
- Words to say when you feel like you’ve lost more than just money
- Hope for a new beginning after a difficult financial season
"Dear God, I’ve lost more than just
money; I’ve lost peace, confidence, and stability. Please restore what’s
been taken and heal the wounds left behind. Lead me into a new season
of provision, hope, and trust in You.
In Jesus' name, amen."
4. Talk With Trusted People and Professionals
It can be easy to feel like you have to handle a financial crisis
alone. But keeping your worries to yourself often adds to the stress and anxiety, making peace even harder to find.
If you’re not sure about talking with others, here are two helpful questions to ask yourself: What would I gain from going through this without others? What might I lose by trying to face this on my own?
Seeking support doesn’t just bring practical help—it brings relief.
Talking with your spouse, close friends, family, pastors, your small
group, a financial advisor, or a counselor can help you process what’s
happening and take wise steps forward.
"Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed." Proverbs 15:22
God created us to rely on people, and leaning on others during difficult times can lead to greater clarity and peace. Just be mindful of where you seek advice. Some businesses profit from
financial struggles, so if someone stands to gain from your crisis,
they may not be the best source of guidance.
5. Be Willing to Make Changes and Follow a Plan
A financial crisis can feel chaotic, but peace comes when you take
intentional steps toward stability. That often means being willing to
make changes—sometimes big ones. And while change can be uncomfortable,
avoiding it usually leads to more stress. The good news? Even small adjustments can make a big difference.
Your next steps will look different depending on your situation.
However, there are some things to avoid if at all possible:
high-interest predatory lenders like payday loans or high-interest
credit cards, rash decisions to invest in get-rich-quick schemes or
risky stocks, too-good-to-be-true solutions, or any kind of unsafe or
unethical method of income.
If you’ve already taken one of these steps, don’t let guilt keep you stuck. It’s never too late to adjust and move forward wisely. Taking action today, even in small ways, can help bring peace tomorrow.
Here are some questions to help guide your plan as you talk with trusted people and professionals:
- Do you have insurance related to the crisis? Should you make a claim?
- What are the most essential items and bills? What’s their order of importance?
- What are your most trustworthy and fair options for gaining funds?
- Which financial resources will you use in which order?
- How can you limit spending on eating out, entertainment, or anything non-essential?
- Do you have a budget? How can you adjust it for this period while things settle?
- Who do you know who could help you with your budget?
- Who do you know who would be happy to help meet needs, whether with their time, advice, or resources?
- Is it possible to take on additional work?
- What are some ways you can continue to be generous during financial lack?
