A Prayer about Ordained Days and Thoughts of God

In your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there were none of them. How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! If I would count them, they are more than the sand. I awake, and I am still with you. (Ps. 139:16–18)

We are at the end of another week, but starting a new month! Today’s Gospel prayer couldn’t be more fitting for today.

Heavenly Father, it’s my birthday, and the number just keeps getting bigger. Yet as “vast” and “great” as the sum of my years seems to me today, vaster and greater are my thoughts of you. The number of my years is calculated merely in terms of decades, but if I tried to “do the math” concerning your glory and grace, I’d have to count every grain of sand on every beach that has ever existed. With David I can honestly say, “How precious to me are your thoughts” (Ps. 139:17).

Father, keep on rescuing me from all wrong thinking about you. Keep showing me how little I really see and understand about the greatness of your love for us in Jesus. That won’t embarrass me; it will truly thrill me. May the gospel keep on getting bigger and bigger and bigger.

It’s a source of incredible peace and freedom to know that you’ve ordained all of my days for me. That feels not like unfair fatalism but rather Fatherly affection. I’ll not live one day more or one day less than you decree, by your sovereign purposes and eternal pleasure.

There’s a part of me that would like to turn the clock back for a possible “do-over,” especially for certain stretches of my life. But then again, not really. Your name is Redeemer, and you’re the God who restores years eaten away by locusts. I choose to rest in your love rather than stew in my regrets. I have great confidence and hope in your commitment to make all things new.

All I ask is that each additional day, week, month, or year you appoint for me in this world will be filled with a greater grasp of the only love that will never let go of us. By your Spirit, Father, continue to reveal to me how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ—the only love that surpasses knowledge (Eph. 3:18–19). Everything else will take care of itself. I make my prayer in Jesus’ matchless and merciful name. Amen.

Smith, Scotty (2011-09-01). Everyday Prayers for a Transformed Life: 365 Days to Gospel-Centered Faith (Kindle Locations 1005-1030). Baker Book Group. Kindle Edition. Daily Bible Reading:

Have a great weekend, my dear brothers. I love and appreciate you. Thanks for joining me on the journey.

Running the race with joy,

Bill Welte
President/CEO of America’s Keswick

Daily Bible Reading: Isaiah 28-29; Mark 7:1-13

Quote of the day: The heart is rich when it is content, and it is always content when its desires are fixed on God. Miguel Cordero-Munoz

Bible Memory: I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways. I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word. Psalm 119:15-16