Heavenly Father, “every day you planned, determined, and shaped for me has been written in your book—well before they happen. This leads me to think of you in precious and vast ways” (Ps.139:16–17). But that you think about me, and what you think about me is even more precious and overwhelming. You love me—and each of your children, with an everlasting, unwavering love (Jer.31:3).
Heavenly Father, to know you have planned our days gives us incomparable peace—especially when we remember you write our stories with the ink of grace and the hand of perfect love. Hallelujah, we live by your grace-full providence, not by accidental happenstance or random circumstance.
Because you’ve written our names in the Lamb’s book (Luke 10:20; Rev.13:8), surely we can trust you with whatever else you write into our stories. That doesn’t always make life easy, but it makes it good—and finally, glorious. Because the final chapter of our story is an eternal life of perfection, redemption, and beauty in “the new heaven and new earth” (Rev.21:1-5). Hallelujah, and thank you, Abba.
Your name is Redeemer, not Re-Doer—the God who turns our mourning into dancing, clothes us with joy (Psalm 30:11), and rejoices over us with loud singing (Zeph.3:17). You give mercy for our messes, redemption for our suffering, grace for the waiting, and hope for our future. Thank you for being the Author and Finisher of our stories, Abba.
This very weekend, I gather with friends in a snow-kissed cabin in Land O Lakes, Wisconsin, to officiate a wedding for friends whose shared story is a testimony and tapestry of just how precious your thoughts about us really are. Indeed, you are the God from whom all blessings flow. Thank you for giving Jesus to us, and for us, Father. So Very Amen.