A Prayer about the Lord’s Guidance

You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory. Psalm 73:24

Faithful Lord,

As we read Asaph’s words, 

we relate. 

He begins Psalm 73 confessing his envy of the wicked, 

who seem to prosper, 

their bodies “fat and sleek,” 

with no “trouble” as he and others face. 

And yet, as he confesses his envy and resentment, 

he remembers the riches he has in you: 

“You hold [our] right hand” (Ps. 73:23).

“You guide [us] with your counsel” (Ps. 73:24). 

We pause to consider what this means: 

You, 

the all-knowing, 

all-wise, 

all-powerful 

Creator of the Cosmos, 

guide us, steer us, shepherd us, 

with your counsel, wisdom, knowledge, power, and love.

“And afterward you will receive [us] to glory” (Ps. 73:24). 

Not, you “might” receive us to glory if we are good enough, 

but you “will” receive us, 

welcome us, embrace us, 

to glory: 

the state of beauty, perfect peace, 

rest, wholeness and flourishing—shalom. 

Oh Lord, what hope we have in your counsel. 

Keep our eyes firmly fixed on you 

and on our hope in heaven and on earth 

as we plan for the new year. 

Turn our eyes away from others 

whom we might envy 

that we might see how near 

you have come to us in Christ, 

that we might “tell of all your works” (Ps. 73:28). 

Amen. 

Read Psalm 73.