Jump to this episode’s show notes now.
How do you pray for weight loss? Is there a prayer for weight loss that will inspire you to make healthier choices that glorify God? Download your free printable prayer below!
I’m not sure if I really meant those words as I prayed them…I knew there were far more “important” things in my life and certainly outside my front door.
But, I couldn’t help but say a prayer for weight loss, hoping (no–begging) God to take this struggle away from me.
Maybe you can relate? Maybe you’ve found yourself confused about your actions and desperate for an answer to your weight-loss struggles.
“You’ve tried it all, all you can do is pray.”
Prayer, it’s something we believe is effective, and yet, for many of us, our actions say otherwise.
Why Do We Pray?
This may seem obvious but it’s worth digging into this question further.
Prayer is essentially talking to God, although we often picture it as very formal, with a start and a finish (more on that below). And, in many cases, it is…
We pray over our Bibles for our day to go smoothly, over our dinners for the happiness of our family, and as we pass that plate of gooey cookies, once again.
Often we have an agenda and yet it’s so easy to overlook the relational aspect of prayer. God created us to be in a relationship with Him, and that can only happen through communication.
You’re on the way home from Wednesday night church and you call your best friend to talk about some unexpected drama from your day.
As you heard yourself speak, you suddenly saw your circumstances more clearly. It was as if the jumbled mess of spaghetti in your head, once spoken, unraveled and made a lot more sense.
Imagine how much more effective it is to talk through our thoughts with the All Knowing One? In talking with God, our thoughts and feelings begin to line up with His. And when we talk and listen, we can know what God says about losing weight.
I love this quote from Mark Batterson:
“The primary purpose of prayer is not to change circumstances; the primary purpose of prayer is to change us! But either way, the chief objective remains the same: to glorify God in any and every situation.”
Prayer is not about us and because of this, it’ll be helpful to discuss “how to pray.” Faith-based weight-loss prayer or not.
How to Pray for Weight Loss
I’m such an avid rule follower that I can’t remember ever leaving a cart outside of its corral. Rules are good but there are some areas in our lives where rules really muddy things up.
Food is one for sure. Our relationship with God is definitely another.
I share this to tell you that these suggestions are just that. Please don’t look at them as rules or even something you should do. Rather, read through the points and see if the Holy Spirit prompts you to try something new.
1. Pray Scripture.
The Word of God is living and powerful (Hebrews 4:12) and it will not return void.
So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.
Isaiah 55:11 (ESV)
One of the most effective ways to pray for weight loss or anything we need is to use Bible verses that speak directly to your situation.
Look up Bible Verses for Weight Loss. You can pray them as written, add in your name when fitting, or journal an inspired prayer. It builds our faith knowing that our requests are built upon the promises of God and that He’s listening to answer prayers that are in line with His will (1 John 5-14:15).
2. Pray Continually.
We know that our relationship with our spouse would dry up if we only spoke from 6:15-6:30 am each morning. Yet, that’s what we tend to do with our Heavenly Father. Then we wonder why our conversations feel dry.
As I mentioned above, God wants to talk to us throughout the day. The One who created cells so intricate and galaxies so vast we can not comprehend them wants to speak to you, my friend.
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Praying without ceasing. Pray intentionally for food and fitness. Pray with no end. Always pray.
Praying continually is much easier than you think. Do you have that endless mind chatter that is constantly trying to short and solve every problem that comes your way?
Yeah, me too.
I’ve found great relief from that exhausting incessant babble by shifting that monologue to a dialogue–with God.
Of course, we want to be respectful of the holiness of God, but we also see some examples throughout scripture of godly men and women who just talked with Him. No formalities, no fluff.
3. Don’t Forget to Listen.
There are a million reasons to love our God and one of them is what a gentlemen He is. He doesn’t push, prod, or speak over us. When we’re praying, we may miss His still, small voice (1 Kings 19:11-13) if we don’t stop talking (or thinking).
When you’re praying for God’s grace, take some time to be quiet and listen to what feels like your “gut” or intuition. The Spirit speaks to our spirit but our minds need to hear those promptings.
And, don’t worry if you’re unsure if it’s you or God. Simply make sure that what you’re feeling lines up with the Word and then apply what’s impressed upon your heart. Over time, you’ll build confidence in your ability to listen and hear.
Don’t Pray for Weight Loss
I know, it seems as though I’ve lost my mind, but stick with me. This revelation will truly help you move forward.
Why would you say weight-loss prayers?
For many of us, we see weight loss as the solution to our problems. Oftentimes, thanks to the media, the promises of losing weight are that of a fairytale.
If only we were thin we’d be…
…confident enough to pursue our dreams,
…energetic enough to accomplish all we desire,
…and attractive enough to finally feel lovable.
These desires often live under the surface and we brush over them in favor of weight loss. Yet, losing those pesky pounds won’t solve our apathy or self-hate. We need to get to the heart of the matter.
What is it that you really and truly need in your life today to walk in the fullness of the grace and love of God?
What is the real answer to your real problems?
When weight loss becomes an idol and more important than our faith, we’re sunk because we keep focusing on the wrong problem. It’s not the weight that weighs us down…
It’s the why behind why we eat more or move less than we need. It’s the reason we’re stressed and sleep-deprived. “It’s” what God needs to fix.
So, don’t say a prayer to lose weight.
Say a prayer for healing and hope–so that you can treat yourself in a way that leads to shedding that emotional baggage (that will ultimately lead to a change in your body).
A Prayer for Weight Loss
Here I’d like to include a Christian weight-loss prayer that gets to the root of the issue. There’s nothing special about the prayer itself. Rather, its power comes from the scriptures it contains and the genuineness of your heart when you pray it.
Look beyond the black and white and try to make a spiritual and emotional connect with the words.
How Do You Pray for Weight Loss?
Heavenly Father, I thank you that your ears are attentive to my prayer and that you care about the details of my life.
I praise you because you have known me before I was born and you formed each and every part of me with a purpose.
I worship you because your love and grace for me are as vast as the universe that you hold in your palm.
I come before you with open hands— open to receive what you have for me and to give away that which you’ve made me ready to give up.
Today, I rest in your mercies that are new every morning. I leave my struggles, failures, and even victories behind me as I rejoice in this day you have made.
I ask for your Holy Spirit to lead me in all truth today, that you will allow me to hear His voice saying “this is the way, walk in it.”
I pray that today you help me walk in self-control and discipline in how I eat. Lead me not into temptation with food and protect me from the enemy.
I thank you that if I should encounter a test, you will uphold me or make a way of escape. Help me to see it.
Most of all, I ask for your grace that is sufficient and your peace that surpasses understanding. May it guard my heart and keep me from seeking comfort outside of you.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen
1 Peter 3:12 | Luke 12:7 | Jeremiah 1:5 | Philippians 2:13 | Lamentations 3:22-23 | Psalm 118:24 |John 16:13 | Isaiah 30:21 | Galatians 5:22-23 | Matthew 6:13 | 1 Corinthians 10:13 | 2 Corinthians 12:9 | Philippians 4:7
How Do You Pray an Effective Prayer to Lose Weight?
So, what do you do with all this now? We often feel motivated after listening to a sermon or reading a post like this, but then life gets in the way. It is important to have a plan in place to make change happen. Here are my suggestions.
- Download the Prayer for Weight Loss Printable below and print out 2 copies. You may also want to download a screenshot to your phone for easy access when you’re away from home.
- Place one in a prominent place and put the other with your Bible.
- Read the prayer for weight loss at least once per day.
- During your Bible reading time, review the verses and consider writing a prayer of your own. Use verses that the Holy Spirit brings to mind, verses that fill you with joy, peace, and confidence in the hand of God.
Podcast episode show notes
You know prayer is effective and you trust that God hears your requests. But when it comes to weight loss, exercise and dieting, you just don’t know what to say.
The Bible has given us simple truths to enlighten our prayer life. So in this episode, you’ll learn how to look beyond your diet, motivation, health, and fitness, and come to the Creator to ask for what you truly need to be healthy.
Links mentioned:
- Prayer for Weight Loss Toolkit Freebie
- For a deep dive, check out Grace Filled Plate Platinum and be sure to get on the waiting list
You may also enjoy:
- Episode 21: 6 Reasons NOT to Use the Bible While Dieting
- Episode 30: When God is Your Weight-Loss Plan
Get a FREEBIE:
- Get your FREE Faith [is greater than] Food Email Course
Rather watch? Catch the video on YouTube.
Brandice Lardner is a Certified Personal Trainer, Nutrition Coach, Amazon #1 Best Selling Author, Homeschool Mom, and Jesus Girl whose mission in life is to help women ditch the diet mentality and find peace with food and their bodies so that they are better equipped to do the great things God has called them to do.
Can you buy the book instead of the e-book?
Hi Hazel! The prayer is a free one-page download. If you don’t have access to a printer, maybe you can download it and forward it to a friend to print it for you?
I can’t express enough how much this article means to me! At the beginning I was so dragged down that I have gained lots of muscle and energy but no shedded pounds. But as I’ve came along in my journey I’ve realized it doesn’t matter if I shed pounds or not. What matters is (1.) Getting stronger Spiritually (2.) Focusing on the progress I’ve already made so far. Working out and trying to get fit is important to me. But at the beginning it was an idol. This article made me realize it most certainly was which is why I was drifting away from God and focusing on my “self image”. I remember the story of David when he was a young boy and (I don’t remember who said it about him) But someone was searching for a king. He was shown that his brothers were big and strong. Then there was David who had no muscle at all. Who herd the sheep and played music. Then this guy said “God doesn’t look at outward appearances he looks at the heart” Which is funny because what we’ve always said “it doesn’t matter whether someone is “ugly or not” what matters is their heart. It’s true because the outside is just our vanity. But the inside especially the condition of our hearts is important to God. Thank you for this wonderful and beautiful article!! It’s a really good reminder in our journey of where we need to align our hearts. In prayer, seeking Gods will, listening, aligning our life with the word. Keep you’re eyes fixed on him and he will give you the desires of you’re heart but developing Gods characteristics needs to be you’re first desire ❤️
Well said, Tabytha! Seek first and everything else has a way of working out, including our working out 😉
Can I buy the book
Hi Debbie, just fill out the form above and you will get the printable delivered to your inbox for free 🙂
This sounds like a great idea for me! I saw a typo in the first line…at instead of are. Sorry, it’s the teacher in me! Thank you so much for this. I can’t help but hang on your words that prayer is for changing us not circumstances.
God bless,
Lynn
Thanks, Lynn! I am so blind to typos, I don’t even see what you’re talking about… oy! 🙁 I’m so glad you found it helpful.
This blessed me so so so so sooo much!!
I’m so glad to hear that, Tokunbo!
Life & fat after menopause are confusing. Never in my life have I had a weight problem until now. My activity is less now as well which was never a problem before. Why do I want sweets now which I had no desire for either? This is driving me crazy. Yes, I do take meds for hypo-
thyroid but I started out hyperthyroid & treatment left me hypo. That doesn’t seem to make a difference anyway. Tired of this extra “stuff”.
Hi Jan, I’m sorry to hear about your health and weight challenges. I know from personal experience how hard it is to manage thyroid treatments. It sounds like God is using this to draw you closer to Him. He will show you the purpose and the plan, one step at a time. Remembering that “fluff” is only a bad thing in the world’s eyes (so hard to remember). If we are eating and moving to glorify our Heavenly Father, that’s what matters most to Him.
I was wondering, if you have a Heavenly Courtroom petition for weight loss. I do not know where and how I gave Satan a legal right to have put that curse on me. P,ease help, my weight is taking a toll on my health, my marriage and my ministry.
Thank you so much.
Maryna
Hi Maryna, I’m sorry to hear about this difficult season of life you are in. Praise God that He will use it for your good and His glory. I don’t have a prayer like that but I think that Shattering Your Strongholds would be a great resource for you: affiliate link https://amzn.to/2ONhJLn My counselor recommended it to me when I was feeling stuck.
Hello!! Thanks for this. This is a struggle all of my life and I’m tired of not understanding the root of why I feed myself with comfort foods. I’m only 20 pounds over my comfortable weight but it keeps climbing. I want to learn the root & stop this insanity mind talk. I love this and can’t wait to try it. ❤️Tammy
Thank you so much for your words of wisdom. I have been reading through all your articles and have found such peace with my lifelong battle of diets, weight and distorted body image. I am 60 years old and I want to live the remainder of my life in a gentle obedience to God in regards to my health and eating. God has used you to inspire me and give me hope and peace, finally!!
I’m so happy to hear that He has breathed peace into your heart, Jennifer! There is so much HOPE in Christ 🙂
Thank you God for your patience and prayers for weight loss plus
your support and help with chapters in the bible I thank you got in your sons name jeuse amen xx
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your support on
You’re very welcome, Anne!
This post is just what I needed today. I love that you said how we shouldn’t pray for weight loss, rather the transformation that it brings. It is so important to focus on our spiritual wellbeing before anything else.
As a fitness instructor myself, it is so important to recognize that weight loss should come from a well meaning place, not because the media imposes it on us. So well written. May God continue to bless your work in everything you do.
Great to “see” you, Kellina! Glad you found it helpful 🙂
I was so blessed by this article. When I was young I would pray and ask God to help me lose weight but I was doing it for all the wrong reasons. I had the mindset that if I could just get to a certain number all my problems would be solved. I wouldn’t feel like a failure, my husband would love me more, I’d have more friends and lots of other stupid reasons.
Fast forward 30 years to now. I want to lose weight to honor God with a healthy body (temple). I want to be healthy so I can serve the people He has put in my life. I want to be physically able to use the gifts & talents He has give me in service to Him in a way that makes a difference.
I’ll be 61 in a month and I’ve wasted a lot of years losing, gaining repeatedly for all the wrong reasons. I feel like I’ve finally got it right. It’s not about me, it’s about Him.
So glad you found this article a blessing, Grace. I love how the Lord has changed your heart and I know He will bless you for living for Him.
You know, ideally, we would be loved for what is on the inside.
It’s a harsh truth and a very unacceptable thing to say, but looks do matter very much. I’ve spent most of my life starving myself and hating my body so much that I won’t have mirrors in my home. People, especially men, have always treated me better when I was a normal body size than when I was too fat or too thin.
When men cheat, they normally seem to look for youth and beauty.
I know that’s a socially unacceptable thing to say, but I can’t deny that I don’t see the truth of it everywhere I look and in every experience I’ve ever had.
Thanks for your willingness to share openly, T. The world’s ways can start to feel like The Way after time and exposure. But, the truth is still the truth– our value is not found in our weight or appearance but in the fact that Christ died for us. Then men who chase youth and beauty are not great candidates for relationships, so be happy their true colors are shown. Godly men know the beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit!
I really enjoyed reading your articles, however I do have a question. I noticed that you offer free downloads for a free sign up, but when I enter my email address I’m sent to another page that says I am 75% signed up. To complete the other 25% I have to make a purchase? I’m asking this as a question because I’m not sure I’m doing this correctly to receive the free downloads. Please help.
Hi Laura! It’s totally free. I guess you could say that the other 25% is just inputting your email 🙂 After you request a freebie, you will be directed to a page to purchase a special offer but it’s never necessary for you to purchase. The freebie will be sent to your email. Please let me know if you have any other questions!