--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When all hope is gone and your back is…" description: "\"“When all hope is gone and your back is against the wall, ‘Pray.’ Ask God to guide you and he will take good care of you.”\" — Ellen J. Barrier" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5e9/ellen-j-barrier-2650_despair_when-all-hope-is-gone-and-your-back-is-a_2128405.jpg" --- # When all hope is gone and your back is against the wall… ![“When all hope is gone and your back is against the wall, ‘Pray.’ Ask God to guide you and he will take good care of you.” quote by Ellen J. Barrier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5e9/ellen-j-barrier-2650_despair_when-all-hope-is-gone-and-your-back-is-a_2128405.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5e9/ellen-j-barrier-2650_despair_when-all-hope-is-gone-and-your-back-is-a_2128405.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5e9/ellen-j-barrier-2650_despair_when-all-hope-is-gone-and-your-back-is-a_2128405.jpg) > ““When all hope is gone and your back is against the wall, ‘Pray.’ Ask God to guide you and he will take good care of you.”” [Ellen J. Barrier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-j-barrier/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. When despair hits, prayer offers comfort and guidance, suggesting reliance on faith in crises. **In simple terms:** Pray when you feel trapped; God will help. Key Takeaway Turn to faith in hardship. Themes faith hope resilience Mood comforting spiritual Type religious self‑help When to use this quote - personal loss - health crises - financial trouble - emotional breakdowns Key Concepts theology psychology of coping Questions to Reflect On - How does faith complement practical action? - What role does community play in hope? A Different Perspective Prayer may not solve practical problems alone. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Despair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/despair/) [Distress](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/distress/) [God](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/god/) [Guidance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/guidance/) [Hope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hope/) [Hopelessness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hopelessness/) [Inspiration](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspiration/) [Pray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pray/) [Prayer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prayer/) [Spiritual](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spiritual/) [Weakness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/weakness/) ## Related quotes > [There's a man upon that ledge, he's only cleaning windows. What a shame for the pain we're missing. Gonna lean back on my wall…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pete-townshend/there-s-a-man-upon-that-ledge-he-s-only-cleaning-windows-what-a-shame/) [Pete Townshend](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pete-townshend/) > [There is again a living prophet on the earth speaking in the name of the Lord. And how we need such guidance! Our times…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-r-holland/there-is-again-a-living-prophet-on-the-earth-speaking-in-the-name-of/) [Jeffrey R. Holland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-r-holland/) > [Your emotions are your inner guidance system. They alone will let you know whether you are living in an environment of biochemical health or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christiane-northrup/your-emotions-are-your-inner-guidance-system-they-alone-will-let-you/) [Christiane Northrup](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christiane-northrup/) > [So let us all who pray ask for what most of them need badly, a sense of humor to lighten their way through life,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-o-casey/so-let-us-all-who-pray-ask-for-what-most-of-them-need-badly-a-sense/) [Sean O'Casey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-o-casey/) > [You know, many people have said that I'm on the edge and I'm maverick for some of the big operations that I've done. I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-carson/you-know-many-people-have-said-that-i-m-on-the-edge-and-i-m-maverick/) [Benjamin Carson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-carson/) > [The great thing about meditation is that I don’t ask for anything. Whereas when I pray I always ask for things!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-springfield/the-great-thing-about-meditation-is-that-i-don-t-ask-for-anything/) [Rick Springfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-springfield/) > [“God can use all of us no matter where we live, no matter if'n we're young or old, and even if we think we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-mccoy-miller/god-can-use-all-of-us-no-matter-where-we-live-no-matter-if-n-we-re/) [Judith McCoy Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-mccoy-miller/) > [We can all pray. We all should pray. We should ask the fulfillment of Gods will. We should ask for courage, wisdom, for the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-s-truman/we-can-all-pray-we-all-should-pray-we-should-ask-the-fulfillment-of/) [Harry S. Truman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-s-truman/) > [“When we pray we should ask the Lord to reveal His will to us and then pray accordingly, act obediently and wait patiently.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/betty-malz/when-we-pray-we-should-ask-the-lord-to-reveal-his-will-to-us-and-then/) [Betty Malz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/betty-malz/) > [I believe, and, when I pray, I ask to become one of the best attackers on the planet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierre-emerick-aubameyang/i-believe-and-when-i-pray-i-ask-to-become-one-of-the-best-attackers/) [Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierre-emerick-aubameyang/) > [“tell you, all the things you pray and ask for—believe that you have received them, and you will have them. Mark 11:24”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beth-moore/tell-you-all-the-things-you-pray-and-ask-for-believe-that-you-have/) [Beth Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beth-moore/) > [When people pray to ask for things they want, isn't it basically an act of mistrust in their god. For if god already has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/uday-chopra/when-people-pray-to-ask-for-things-they-want-isn-t-it-basically-an/) [Uday Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/uday-chopra/) > [If you cannot find time to pray, ask for forgiveness. Ask to be cleansed of the sin of having no time to pray ...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/corrie-ten-boom/if-you-cannot-find-time-to-pray-ask-for-forgiveness-ask-to-be/) [Corrie Ten Boom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/corrie-ten-boom/) > [If you do pray ASK GOD to help clear your vision. Ask GOD to give you the ability to make WISE decisions and ask…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-you-do-pray-ask-god-to-help-clear-your-vision-ask-god-to-give-you/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [But all of us-at home, at war, wherever we may be-are within the reach of God's love and power. We all can pray. We…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-s-truman/but-all-of-us-at-home-at-war-wherever-we-may-be-are-within-the-reach/) [Harry S. Truman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-s-truman/) ## More by Ellen J. Barrier > [“Good health and happiness are life’s most precious treasures. Those who possess them are blessed.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-j-barrier/good-health-and-happiness-are-life-s-most-precious-treasures-those/) [Ellen J. Barrier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-j-barrier/) > [“When we perform at our highest level of potential, we are content. Because we have given I best in what we enjoy doing.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-j-barrier/when-we-perform-at-our-highest-level-of-potential-we-are-content/) [Ellen J. Barrier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-j-barrier/) > [“When children are given spiritual guidance, they grow-up learning to know how to pray and praise God. Even though they might not be a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-j-barrier/when-children-are-given-spiritual-guidance-they-grow-up-learning-to/) [Ellen J. Barrier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-j-barrier/) > [“The person who is rich is the one who possess kindness, caring, help others when needed, gives things that money can't buy, and spend…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-j-barrier/the-person-who-is-rich-is-the-one-who-possess-kindness-caring-help/) [Ellen J. Barrier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-j-barrier/) > [“People should get their information from the source with facts before sharing it. Rumors can be lots of different opinions, based on what other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-j-barrier/people-should-get-their-information-from-the-source-with-facts-before/) [Ellen J. Barrier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-j-barrier/) > [“Negative people offer no hope to the person who wants to pursue their goal. They are a hinder to positive thinking and plans for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-j-barrier/negative-people-offer-no-hope-to-the-person-who-wants-to-pursue-their/) [Ellen J. Barrier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-j-barrier/) > [One of the greatest gifts to give our friends and others is a prayer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-j-barrier/one-of-the-greatest-gifts-to-give-our-friends-and-others-is-a-prayer/) [Ellen J. Barrier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-j-barrier/) > [“To focus energy on the less important things in life, hinder creating a solution to solve those problems that are of the most importance.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-j-barrier/to-focus-energy-on-the-less-important-things-in-life-hinder-creating/) [Ellen J. Barrier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-j-barrier/) > [“The strength of a man is in his character. A strong man is a great man of wisdom who understands, his top priority is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-j-barrier/the-strength-of-a-man-is-in-his-character-a-strong-man-is-a-great-man/) [Ellen J. Barrier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-j-barrier/) > [“Life is a journey; let's enjoy it, seeing some exciting things, and having fun along the way.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-j-barrier/life-is-a-journey-let-s-enjoy-it-seeing-some-exciting-things-and/) [Ellen J. Barrier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-j-barrier/) > [“Prayers are like the powerful sounds of trumpets. When God's people come together and pray, the walls that challenge progress will fall.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-j-barrier/prayers-are-like-the-powerful-sounds-of-trumpets-when-god-s-people/) [Ellen J. Barrier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-j-barrier/) > [“Those who find themselves in the "You are going to miss my loving" section Without LOVE are the ones who abused their relationship by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-j-barrier/those-who-find-themselves-in-the-you-are-going-to-miss-my-loving/) [Ellen J. Barrier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-j-barrier/) > [“The tough times we human beings go through, are meant to change us into better people.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-j-barrier/the-tough-times-we-human-beings-go-through-are-meant-to-change-us/) [Ellen J. Barrier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-j-barrier/) > [“Hanging with people who make you feel unappreciated, for the mere sake of appearing to be popular, is the loneliest place to be.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-j-barrier/hanging-with-people-who-make-you-feel-unappreciated-for-the-mere-sake/) [Ellen J. Barrier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-j-barrier/) > [“People who like their job will give it their best. Those who don't, show it by a poor performance.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-j-barrier/people-who-like-their-job-will-give-it-their-best-those-who-don-t/) [Ellen J. Barrier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-j-barrier/) [Explore all 156 Ellen J. Barrier quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-j-barrier/) ## More Despair quotes > [“As ofttimes as it rains on my little spot of earth, you'd think I'd grow accustomed to the gloom.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richelle-e-goodrich/as-ofttimes-as-it-rains-on-my-little-spot-of-earth-you-d-think-i-d/) [Richelle E. Goodrich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richelle-e-goodrich/) > [“She searched her mind for a single day when it had felt good to be alive. There must have been one, surely?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-abbott/she-searched-her-mind-for-a-single-day-when-it-had-felt-good-to-be/) [Rachel Abbott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-abbott/) > [“Men circle like bees around honey, buzzing to communicate their sexual despair.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carla-h-krueger/men-circle-like-bees-around-honey-buzzing-to-communicate-their-sexual/) [Carla H Krueger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carla-h-krueger/) > [I think what was special about 'Music by Prudence' was the classic story of the title subject's life path - from being an outcast…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ross-williams/i-think-what-was-special-about-music-by-prudence-was-the-classic/) [Roger Ross Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ross-williams/) > [Your spirit is the part of you that seeks meaning and purpose. It's the part drawn to hope, that will not give in to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-myss/your-spirit-is-the-part-of-you-that-seeks-meaning-and-purpose-it-s/) [Caroline Myss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-myss/) > [My God, whose son, as on this night, took on Him the form of man, and for man vouchsafed to suffer and bleed, controls…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlotte-bronte/my-god-whose-son-as-on-this-night-took-on-him-the-form-of-man-and-for/) [Charlotte Bronte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlotte-bronte/) > [The modernist writers found despair inspirational.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mason-cooley/the-modernist-writers-found-despair-inspirational/) [Mason Cooley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mason-cooley/) > [The skin and shell of things Though fair are not Thy wish nor prayer but got My meer despair of wings.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-vaughan/the-skin-and-shell-of-things-though-fair-are-not-thy-wish-nor-prayer/) [Henry Vaughan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-vaughan/) > [“A fine setting for a fit of despair,” it occurred to him, “if I were only standing here by accident instead of design.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franz-kafka/a-fine-setting-for-a-fit-of-despair-it-occurred-to-him-if-i-were-only/) [Franz Kafka](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franz-kafka/) > [Enough for this bow & arrow. It caused me nothing but sorrow. No need for another tomorrow. In your heart, I will never be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louaiq8/enough-for-this-bow-arrow-it-caused-me-nothing-but-sorrow-no-need-for/) Louaiq8 > [True repentance never leads to despair. Its leads home. It leads to grace.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ortberg/true-repentance-never-leads-to-despair-its-leads-home-it-leads-to/) [John Ortberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ortberg/) > [Do not consider despair as a thick and high wall standing on your way; it is just a darkness and you can still walk…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/do-not-consider-despair-as-a-thick-and-high-wall-standing-on-your-way/) [Mehmet Murat ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) > [Despair is the price one pays for setting oneself an impossible aim. It is, one is told, the unforgivable sin, but it is a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/graham-greene/despair-is-the-price-one-pays-for-setting-oneself-an-impossible-aim/) [Graham Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/graham-greene/) > [A speculative despair is unpardonable where it our duty to act.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-burke/a-speculative-despair-is-unpardonable-where-it-our-duty-to-act/) [Edmund Burke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-burke/) > [I have noticed that there is no dissatisfaction like that of the rich. Feed a man, clothe him, put him in a good house,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/i-have-noticed-that-there-is-no-dissatisfaction-like-that-of-the-rich/) [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) [Browse all 3,181 Despair quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/despair/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“When all hope is gone and your back is against the wall, ‘Pray.’ Ask God to guide you and he will take good care of you.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Ellen J. 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