A Prayer about God’s Best Plan for Us

All-seeing God,

It is near the end of January, 

and many of us have already seen good plans 

we made through prayer and counsel, disrupted.

Whenever our plans on this earth are disrupted or diverted, 

help us to remember what a great promise you gave the Israelites, 

even as you sent them into captivity:

“You will be in Babylon for seventy years. 

But then I will come and do for you 

all the good things I have promised, 

and I will bring you home again” (Jeremiah 29:10).

“In those days when you pray, I will listen. 

If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. 

I will be found by you,” says the Lord.

“I will end your captivity and restore your fortunes. 

I will gather you out of the nations 

where I sent you and will bring you home again 

to your own land” (Jeremiah 29:15).

Lord, even as you promised to return the Israelites 

to the land you created for them, 

you promise to take us out of the captivity of our sin and sorrow 

and return us to the new heavens and the new earth, 

to restore our fortunes beyond our wildest plans or dreams. 

In the day when Christ returns to take his people home to you, 

we will truly be home forever. 

May we look and lean toward that wonderful day.

In Jesus’ hope-full name. Amen. 

Read Jeremiah 29:10-15; Revelation 21:1-5.