I have prayed to God that he give me the strength to survive

Hear the anguished cry of Susan Smith, who once confessed: “I have prayed to God that He give me the strength to survive each day and to face those times in my life that will be extremely painful. I have put my total faith in God, and He will take care of me.” In these words we hear the eternal voice of the soul, cast into suffering and searching for refuge in the divine. For when life grows unbearable, when pain rises like a flood, man and woman alike have always turned their faces upward, seeking in faith the strength that the world could not give.

The origin of this saying lies not in triumph but in desperation. Susan Smith, burdened with her own tragedies and choices, spoke from the heart of affliction. And though her story is marked with controversy and sorrow, the words themselves transcend her moment: they carry the universal plea of humankind through all ages—that in the midst of trials too heavy to endure, there is One who can carry the weight, One who can lift the broken soul. Thus her prayer reflects a truth known by saints and sinners alike: that faith in God can sustain when nothing else remains.

History is filled with such voices. Consider the psalms of David, who cried out from caves while fleeing his enemies: “The Lord is my rock and my fortress.” He, too, prayed for strength each day, knowing the weight of despair and betrayal. It was not his sword alone that sustained him, but his trust in the Eternal. Like Susan Smith’s words, David’s cries show us that man’s power is small, but faith can kindle courage where there is none.

Or recall the story of the early Christians, persecuted under Rome. They were cast into arenas, hunted in secret, condemned by emperors. Yet they prayed for strength, not merely to escape suffering, but to face it with dignity and hope. Their faith gave them courage to endure the painful trials of fire and sword. Out of their prayers came not despair but a movement that changed the world. Their lives echo Susan Smith’s simple confession: “God will take care of me.”

The meaning, then, is this: when the burdens of life become too great, one must learn to surrender to the greater power of faith. It is not weakness to admit one’s need, but strength to trust that there is help beyond oneself. The storms of life—whether born of our own errors or the cruelty of fate—can drown us if we stand alone. But in trusting God, we find not escape, but the strength to survive each day until light returns.

The lesson for you, listener, is clear: do not believe that you must walk through the valley of suffering by your own power. When days of darkness come—and they will—lift your prayer, however simple, however broken. Ask for strength, ask for endurance, ask for the courage to face the painful hours. In such surrender you will find not defeat, but the quiet resilience to continue, one day at a time.

Practical actions follow. Begin each morning with a prayer, even a short one, placing the day in God’s hands. When trials rise, breathe and remind yourself: “He will take care of me.” Read the words of those who endured—psalms, prayers, testimonies—so that their courage may strengthen your own. And in your small acts of endurance, remember that faith is not only for miracles, but for survival, for patience, for strength to take the next step when the way is hard.

So let these words remain with you: “I have prayed to God that He give me the strength to survive each day… I have put my total faith in God, and He will take care of me.” Let them be both comfort and command. For in trusting the Eternal, you will find the power to face what you thought unendurable. And in that trust, your life will become a testimony for others, showing that even in the deepest sorrow, there is hope that does not fail.