Grace for the Unfinished Places - Your Nightly Prayer - January 11th
Grace for the Unfinished Places
Your Nightly Prayer
by Britt Mooney
TONIGHT’S SCRIPTURE
“Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion.” - Philippians 1:6
SOMETHING TO PONDER
It always takes longer than you want it to.
This seems to be a rule of life. Whatever the goal might be, it likely will take longer than we desire.
The heat in our house broke at the beginning of the autumn months. We called to have it fixed. Should happen quickly, right?
Well, it took a week or so before the repairman made it to the house to diagnose the problem. Then he had to order the part. We didn’t hear anything for a week or so. I called and asked about the timeframe and found out the part was ordered, but would take another few days at least.
In the meantime, it got colder.
We ended up buying a couple of extra space heaters in the meantime. Finally, the part arrived, and we made time for the repairman to finish the job. We now have heat right before the cold snap in November.
What are you waiting for that seems like it’s taking too long? Sometimes God fixes things quickly and easily, and we praise him for those times. Other times, time passes while the solution remains unresolved. Many things in life are a process, whether something simple like heat in the house or bigger issues like getting a job or learning a new skill.
Our spiritual life began with a revolution, God delivering us from sin and death and filling us with his Spirit. At the same time, our spiritual development is a process, too. God uses situations in our life, like waiting through the quiet winter months, to develop the patience we require. In the delay, let us have confidence in God’s work. He is good. He loves us. And he who began the work will finish it. The Alpha and Omega have the will and power to redeem all that was lost.
YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER
Heavenly Father,
Teach me to wait with confidence in you and your love. When life slows down, and answers take longer than I hope, remind me you are still at work. You never delay out of neglect but out of love and wisdom. Help me to rest in your timing, knowing you finish what you start. Strengthen my patience and faith in every season so my waiting is infused with worship and my heart rests in your grace.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
THREE THINGS TO MEDITATE UPON
1. What is one thing you waited for that took too long, but you finally received the answer or achieved the goal?
2. What is one thing you’re waiting for now and struggling to endure until the end?
3. How can you pray to have confidence and endurance through the long delays? How has God proven himself before?
Reflect on tonight’s prayer and share how God met you there. Join the Your Nightly Prayer discussion on the Crosswalk Forum.
Photo Credit:Unsplash/Daniel Mccullough
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