Grace for the Goals You Didn't Reach | Your Nightly Prayer

We all know what it’s like to set goals and fall short. Maybe it was a promise to change a habit, to eat healthier, to save more, or to spend more time in prayer and Scripture—and despite your best intentions, you didn’t make it.

In our evening prayer and devotional, Clarence Haynes Jr. reminds us that God’s grace meets us right in those moments of disappointment and self-doubt. His grace isn’t just what saves us—it’s what sustains us, especially when our best efforts fail.

Like Paul, we learn that God’s power shines brightest in our weakness. The same grace that redeemed us is the grace that carries us when we stumble. God never measures your worth by your performance or perfection. He sees your heart, your desire to grow, and your willingness to get up and try again.

When you fall short, grace doesn’t scold you—it lifts you. It reminds you that even when your plans remain unfinished, God’s purpose in you is still unfolding. Progress, not perfection, is what He desires. Every small step forward is still a step in faith.

So tonight, if you’re reflecting on the goals you didn’t reach or the habits you didn’t break, rest in this truth: God’s grace fills every gap. His strength is made perfect right where yours runs out.

Tonight’s Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV)

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
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🙏 Your Nightly Prayer

Lord,
Thank You for Your grace that never runs dry. When I fall short, remind me that You never do. Help me to stop measuring my worth by what I’ve achieved and start seeing myself through the lens of Your mercy. Teach me to depend on Your strength, not my own, and to trust that Your grace is sufficient for every weakness I face. Even when I don’t meet my goals, I know that You are still at work within me, perfecting what I cannot.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.

🧘 Three Things to Meditate Upon

1. Grace Over Goals:
   Where in your life are you relying on your own strength instead of God’s grace? How might surrendering those areas bring you peace?

2. Progress, Not Perfection:
   Think of one goal you didn’t meet this year. Instead of focusing on what you didn’t achieve, list the growth and lessons you gained in the process.

3. Strength in Weakness:
   Meditate on this truth: God’s power is made perfect in your weakness. How might this change the way you view your struggles or setbacks?

• 🀀𐀀𐀀𐀀󟰠𤡥𩡬𩑣t tonight on a goal you didn’t reach. Thank God for His grace that carried you through the effort and the lessons learned along the way.

• 💬 Share this devotion with someone who feels defeated or disappointed in themselves. Remind them that God’s grace is sufficient—especially in weakness.

• 📬 Sign up for Your Nightly Prayer to receive nightly encouragement and Scripture reflections in your inbox.

Originally published October 21, 2025.