A Prayer for Embracing God’s Purpose in Your Life
By Alisha Headley
Bible Reading
“For I know the plans I have or you, says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for harm, to give you a future and a hope.” - Jeremiah 29:11
Listen or Read Below:
We often think our purpose in life is that one big thing we are waiting for or striving for. We have prayed prayers asking God to show us what our purpose in life is, thinking it’s a grand gesture of some sort and must be something big, like writing a book or becoming a full-time leader at church. Many of us may be called to the stage or to big things the world will see, making large impacts. But what if our purpose is also meant for a smaller audience or for the journey to that big thing, but still with a great impact? What if our purpose is in the exact season we are in?
It’s the everyday purpose we have as a wife, husband, co-worker, boss, daughter, son, mother, father, or neighbor that we tend to neglect. Not only do we tend to neglect the everyday purpose we have with our position in the Kingdom, but we tend to neglect the purpose we have when we have seasons of drought and hard times. These seasons are all a part of God’s purpose for your life, even if it looks like nothing is happening or you’re on a detour. Biblical heroes had seasons that didn’t make sense at the time, but God had a purpose in it all, and he does for us, too.
Today’s verse talks about how God has a purpose for us, and He already knows the plans to lead us to that purpose. He has already seen the ending, as He has had a purpose from the very beginning. And even if things don’t look good right now in whatever seasons we are in, we can rest assured that all His plans for us are for good, and not for harm, and to give us a future and a hope. God has a predestined purpose for our life. But what today’s Scripture does not say is that all the plans will feel good. This is an important thing to remember because there will be many things we face in this life that don’t look like they are leading us to our purpose. But with God, we know that “for those who love God, all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose,” as Romans 8:28 promises us.
We need to embrace every season we are in, whether it feels good or looks good, for God is working it all out according to His purpose, just as He did all throughout the Bible. Each season along the way is important, even if we can’t make sense of it at the time. When things don’t feel good in your everyday life, just remember that He is good, His plans are good, and we can cling to that hope that our future is safely held in the palm of His hand.
Let’s Pray:
Lord,
Thank you for having a plan for us and that your plans for us are good. Thank you for choosing us to be a partner in your Kingdom work done here on earth. Show us what our purpose is in our everyday life. Lead us each day as we follow you step by step walking in our purpose. Forgive us for the times that we create our own plan and don’t seek yours for our life. We want to walk with your blessings and favor and in your purpose in our life to keep us safe and away from harm. Teach us how we can embrace each season we are in, as it’s all a part of our purpose. Teach us how to embrace our purpose even if what we see doesn’t look or feel good in the moment. We trust that you have a plan, and you will turn even the difficult seasons into good. Even if we can’t see your final purpose right now, we ask that you use us every day to live out our purpose by walking closely to you and showing the world just how good you are. We love you, and we know you have a plan that is greater than our plan. You’re a good Father with a purpose for our life. Show us the way.
In Jesus’ name, amen.
Alisha Headley is a writer + speaker who has a desire to meet the everyday woman in her everyday life with biblical truth. Stepping into her true calling, she left the corporate world behind as a former-financial VP to love on her family as a stay-at-home wifey + dog mama, while also being able to pursue her passion as a writer. Healing from a chapter of life consumed with lies she once believed about herself, she is inspired to point women to Christ to experience the freedom + power to overcome those lies with the truth written in God’s word. In her free time, Alisha enjoys road trips around the country, working out so she can eat her favorite foods, and creatively styling her outfits with a craft for fashion. Alisha is a proud wifey and dog mama living in Scottsdale, Arizona.
You can follow her blog by visiting her website or connect with her on facebook + instagram.
Editor's Note: We're proud to announce we've just launched a new nighttime companion to Your Daily Prayer: the Your Nightly Prayer devotional. You'll soon be able to subscribe to receive Your Nightly Prayer via email, or as a podcast, but for now you can find it on the website at crosswalk.com/devotionals/your-nightly-prayer. We hope it's a relaxing and soothing way to wind down your day with rich meditations on who God is.
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Originally published Wednesday, 09 October 2024.