Joyful Moments in Christ

It is easy to trust God when the path ahead is clear and the sun is shining, but most of our lives are spent navigating the fog of the unknown. We often find ourselves caught between the reality of our current struggles and the promise of a future home we cannot yet see. This prayer is centered on the simple but profound truth of 2 Corinthians 5:7 and explores the challenge of trusting God’s heart when we cannot see his hand. By shifting our focus from our immediate circumstances to his eternal character, we can find a deep sense of contentment and joy that remains steady even when the world around us feels uncertain.

A Prayer

Dear Father,

You are the great preparer, the one who is working on creating a wonderful heavenly dwelling for those who love you. I adore you for your infinite perspective and your tireless work in the unseen places of my life. You see the end from the beginning, and you are never caught off guard by the things that surprise me. You are the architect of a future that is more beautiful than I can imagine, and I praise you for your sovereignty over every moment.

Forgive me for not always trusting that you have my best interests at heart. When calamity comes, I despair and get angry at you, questioning your goodness because I cannot see the outcome. I confess that I often demand to see the whole map before I am willing to take a single step of obedience. In my pride, I assume that if I cannot see a purpose for my pain, then one must not exist. When I am in trouble, I often call out to you, but in good times, I go on my merry way with barely a thought of you. I am sorry for my spiritual amnesia and for treating you like a last resort rather than my daily bread.

Thank you for drawing my attention back to you, even if the lessons are painful. In hindsight, I can see the good that has come from my worst moments, and I thank you for the times your “no” was actually a mercy I didn’t recognize. Thank you for the truth found in 2 Corinthians 5:7 (ESV): “for we walk by faith, not by sight.” I am grateful that I do not have to rely on my own limited vision, but can instead rely on your perfect sight.

Please help me to do better. Help me to seek you out both in good times and bad, maintaining a heart of gratitude when life is easy and a heart of trust when it is hard. Help me to have faith that there is a better place, one without all the pain and suffering that we have on Earth. Fill me with a persistent joy that comes from knowing my destination is secure in Christ. Change me so that I will belong there and not here. Mold my desires so that I am more concerned with your kingdom than my own comfort. Please give me the strength to follow Jesus one step at a time, even when the path is dark.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Reflect

Consider the following reflection questions:

1. What is one situation in your life right now where you are struggling because you cannot see the outcome?
2. Looking back at a past “calamity,” how can you see now that God was actually working for your good?
3. Do you find it harder to pray when things are going well or when things are falling apart?
4. What would it look like for you to “walk by faith” in your most difficult relationship this week?
5. How does the promise of a “heavenly dwelling” change how you view your current frustrations?

Respond

Please pray a prayer about walking by faith.

If you aren’t sure where to begin, you can use the ACTS method: Adoration, Confession, Thankfulness, and Supplication:

• Adoration: Praise God. Does this topic bring any specific characteristics of God to mind?
• Confession: Tell God that you are sorry for specific sins. Does this topic bring any specific sins to mind?
• Thankfulness: Show gratitude towards God. Does anything from this topic inspire gratitude?
• Supplication: Make requests for yourself and for others. Does anything from this topic inspire a prayer?

If helpful, you can use a prayer journal template.

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English Standard Version (ESV): Unless otherwise noted, scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The ESV text may not be quoted in any publication made available to the public by a Creative Commons license. The ESV may not be translated in whole or in part into any other language.