Prayers for those who have big plans for this year � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �

Prayers for those who havebigplansforthisyear have big plans for this year

Reclaiming Our Time

My mother shared with me how she chose not to attend university so she could marry my father in the 1960s, but she always held on to her dream of becoming a home economics teacher� Three children later, though she never received a university degree, she did become a nutritionist aide. She cooked meals to demonstrate healthier meal choices—much like a home economics teacher� As she shared her dream with me after recounting the events of her life, she proclaimed that God had indeed heard her prayers and given her the desires of her heart�

Life can be like that for us. Our plans point one way, but reality goes another way. But with God, our time and lives can be turned into beautiful displays of His compassion, love and restoration. God told the people of Judah (Joel 2:21) that He would “repay” them for their lost or destroyed years—brought about by a “locust swarm” (v� 25)� He continues to work to help us in the challenges and unfulfilled dreams we face� For we serve a Redeemer God who honours and rewards our sacrifices for Him (Matthew 19:29). Whether we’ve got big dreams for this new year or we’re facing a devastating challenge, may we call out to the God who restores and give Him praise�

Katara Patton

A Prayer to Give Your Dreams to God Dear Lord, You know the dreams in my heart; even the ones I’ve never spoken out loud. There are things I long to achieve; a type of person I wish I could become; a lifestyle I yearn to live. Compassionate Saviour, help me see where I am trying to use other things to fulfil my desire for You. I give You all my dreams, every last one; for I know You will do more with my life than I could even ask or imagine. Fulfil my dreams Your way, not mine. Amen

A Prayer for His Ways to Become Your Ways Father God, because You are gracious and merciful, so are all Your ways. Sometimes I don’t understand what You are doing; yet help me trust You still. May I stand upon the foundation of Your character, Your faithfulness and Your love, so that Your ways become my ways. May my hopes and dreams be filtered through Your goodness; help me to let go of what isn’t truly important, that I might cling more tightly to what is eternal and glorifying for You. Amen

A Prayer to See God’s Hand in Your Plans Almighty God, Lord of heaven and earth, as I bring my plans to You, I take a moment to remember that every breath in my lungs is Yours; every moment of life is Your gift. Who am I that You care for me so intimately? As I put my plans in place for this year, show Your hand at work that I might follow where You lead and set my heart after Yours. I belong to You alone, Lord. May my every breath, my every moment, bring You glory. Amen

5 Verses about Trusting Your Plans to God

1Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight� Proverbs 3:5-6

2Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails� Proverbs 19:21

3As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts� Isaiah 55:9

4We are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do� Ephesians 2:10

5What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes� Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that�”

James 4:14-15

MANY ARE THE PLANS IN A PERSON’S HEART, BUT IT IS the Lord’s purpose that prevails.

PROVERBS 19:21