Then, in chapter 3, something changes. Habakkuk prays a psalm remembering what God has done in the past, and ends with one of the boldest statements of faith in Scripture: even if everything fails, the crops, the flocks, the whole economy, “yet I will rejoice in the LORD.”
Historical Context
Habakkuk 2:4, “the just shall live by his faith,” is quoted three times in the New Testament, and it was the verse that changed Martin Luther’s life. The book that starts with “how long?” ends in worship.
Habakkuk’s Prayer (Habakkuk 3:2, 17-19)
O LORD, I have heard thy speech, and was afraid:
O LORD, revive thy work in the midst of the years,
in the midst of the years make known;
in wrath remember mercy.
…
Although the fig tree shall not blossom,
neither shall fruit be in the vines;
the labour of the olive shall fail,
and the fields shall yield no meat;
the flock shall be cut off from the fold,
and there shall be no herd in the stalls:
Yet I will rejoice in the LORD,
I will joy in the God of my salvation.
The LORD God is my strength,
and he will make my feet like hinds’ feet,
and he will make me to walk upon mine high places.
A Habakkuk Prayer for Hard Times
Lord, I’ve asked “how long?” more times than I can count.
I don’t understand what you’re doing.
But I remember what you’ve done before.
Even if the money runs out,
even if the diagnosis is bad,
even if nothing changes,
yet I will rejoice in you.
You are my strength.
Amen.
Best Times for This Prayer
- When you’ve been praying for something a long time with no answer.
- In financial hardship or job loss.
- When the world’s injustice overwhelms you.
Scripture Connection
“For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.” — Habakkuk 2:3
God’s answer to Habakkuk was to wait, because the answer was coming. It’s the same answer many of us get.
Related prayers
For other prayers from the prophets, see Jonah’s Prayer and the 4 Sentence Prayer of Daniel. For hope, the Prayer for Better Days.