A Prayer to Discern How to Spend Your Time - Your Daily Prayer - December 30

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A Prayer to Discern How to Spend Your Time
By Keri Eichberger

Bible Reading:
If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. (James 1:5)

Listen or Read Below:

So much to do, so many options, but only so much time to do it all. Which is why, what to tackle and when are the daunting questions at the dawn of each day and at the turn of each chapter and change of life. 

Personally, being in full charge of how to spend my hours has been one of the more challenging realities of self-employment. On many mornings, my mood whispers temptations to skip the hard stuff and jump to what’s more pleasing and enjoyable. And without a boss checking in, coworkers holding me accountable, or a time clock to dictate my day, it’s easy to get sidetracked with meaningless distractions or put off my planned to-dos—once again. But I’ve accepted calls from God and made choices to walk in obedience that also involve his people. So, whether I dedicate time to my kids and household chores, volunteer at church, serve my audience, or tackle one-off jobs to fill in the financial gaps, it’s essential to honor my commitments and make wise choices with my time and service. But it’s tough. You know this.

You sometimes struggle to determine or discern how to spend your time, don’t you? Now possibly? Perhaps you have a lengthy list of tasks and don’t know where to begin. Or you have dreams and ideas you’re not sure when to take on. Or maybe you’re at a crossroads of decisions that, depending on the choice you make, your entire next season could look completely different from the current one. Then again, maybe nothing feels too pressing, but you do want your time and efforts to matter and provide a sense of purpose. Whatever the circumstance, you want to know what to do with your time. You want to honor God. 

And the simplicity of it is, we honor God when we go to God. When we go to him with an open and sincere heart and ask for his help. Asking for wisdom to make choices that most glorify him and align with his will for our lives. We honor him when we listen, when we wait patiently for a response, and when we then act as prompted. 

James 1:5 says, If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. We should go to God when we need wisdom in discerning what to do, because he gives it. You may struggle to believe this when you turn to him and have a hard time hearing a clear answer. But this lack of clarity can mean one of two things. It may mean “stay.” Because if we’ve asked God, we are still unsure how to proceed, but have the option to wait for further guidance, we can keep holding tight, trusting that he is always working right where we are. After all, he also called us to that exact place. But, your lack of clarity could also mean “it doesn’t necessarily matter which choice you choose.” Because if we’re sure it’s time to make a move, we must remember that if we are truly in him, we can’t go outside of his will. His plans always prevail, which is why we don’t have to fret over which way to go or worry about the specifics of when. He will work it out for good. He does this for all of those he loves. And that’s you and me.

Each morning as the day presents itself, seek the Lord for wisdom. Hold your hands and plans open to him. Surrender each hour, task, and decision to him. Be still, open his holy Word, and listen to how he speaks to your heart. And if you must move forward—for reasons out of your control—before you have perfect clarity, trust that he will lead you where he wants you. And that it will honor him. It may be the more pleasing path, or it may be the more uncomfortable route. Because sometimes what honors God is you simply caring for yourself with rest or what refreshes you. And other times God will lure you to lean into his strength to move you forward on missions he has called you to. But he will help you discern. 

Turn to the Lord. Ask him how you can honor him. Ask him how to spend your time. And he will answer and offer with generous wisdom. He will steer you, and he will guide you. And you can rest in assurance that he has you where he wants you, and that all your days and hours will certainly honor and glorify him. 

Let’s Pray:

Dear Lord, You are God over everything. My time, my choices, and every outcome. And I want it all to honor you. I admit, there are moments and seasons I struggle to discern what to do and when, but I know you offer me your wisdom freely. Help me turn to you each day for direction. To discern which way to go and what choices to make.

And Lord, when I am unsure, help me to be still and patient for your answers. Help me trust that wherever I go, and whatever I choose, as long as I am in you, you will be with me, and your perfect plan will prevail. Lord, I praise you that you won’t waste one single second of my time.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you liked what you read, I think you will love my latest book, Win Over Worry: Conquer What Shakes You and Soar With the One Who Overcomes. You can find it on Amazon or your favorite online retail site. I hope it blesses you!

Join the conversation! Share how today’s devotional spoke to you on the Crosswalk Forum.

Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/Vladimir Sukhachev 

Keri Eichberger is a Jesus-loving Kentucky girl. She is married to her best friend, Mike, and has a full house of five kids. After years of writing for an online audience, Keri became ordained through Southeast Christian Church, giving her life to full-time ministry. She is the author of Win Over Worry: Conquer What Shakes You and Soar With the One Who Overcomes, and has a passion for sharing faith-filled encouragement through devotional writing. Connect with Keri at KeriEichberger.com or Instagram.

Related Resource: Let God Reframe Your Year: A Psalm 107 Year-End Reflection

As we wrap up our year together, I want to invite you into this meaningful spiritual practice: looking back on the year through the lens of Psalm 107 to identify the “fingerprints of God’s faithfulness. In this episode, we'll walk through four redemptive storylines found in Psalm 107—each representing a way God rescues, restores, and reorients His people. Whether you felt lost, trapped, wounded, self-destructive, or overwhelmed by storms, I encourage you to reflect on how God met you in weakness and brought deliverance. This episode is part of our How to Study the Bible Podcast, a show that brings life back to reading the Bible and helps you understand even the hardest parts of Scripture. If this episode helps you know and love God more, be sure to subscribe to the How to Study the Bible Podcast on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode!

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