A Prayer to Know God's Plan Is Not to Harm You - Your Daily Prayer - July 20

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A Prayer to Know God's Plan Is Not to Harm You
By Keri Eichberger

Bible Reading:
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11)

Listen or Read Below:

My eyes reluctantly opened, and the first vision that registered was the clock on the wall. It was 6:30 p.m., and I had gone back for surgery twelve hours prior. Alarm suddenly hit me. The surgeon had told my husband six to eight hours, and I knew he would be worried. Something must’ve gone wrong. That was all my foggy brain and numb body could contemplate. And then, without a thought, these words scrolled like closed captions word-for-word in my mind. “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” I was heavily sedated coming in and out of consciousness in the recovery room, but I still clearly remember this moment, and am in awe of the Lord. For bringing this truth to my heart at such a critical moment.

I’m sure you know Jeremiah 29:11 well. And I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard it and recited it myself. But, a couple of months before surgery, it spoke to me and settled differently. It was the specific plan of God’s “not to harm us” that rang sweeter at a time when I desperately needed to know it.

Have you ever felt in harm’s way? Or maybe that a good future for you was in question? Possibly you’re questioning something in front of you in this very season. It may not necessarily be physical harm or fear for your health, but maybe you question the safety and security of other fragile circumstances. With a relationship, finances, a job, or some other situation that you can’t see a positive solution to yet. I get it. I’ve felt in danger of harm from all sorts of struggles, and certainly many moments before and after the complex spine surgery I endured. But I’m thankful for the truths in Jeremiah 29:11. And I’m thankful for this perfectly timed reminder God gave me, along with the shift of perspective, that I’d like to lend to you today. Yes, his plans are to prosper us, but that means that they are not to harm us either. And it’s the harm we often fear—our downfall and destruction, the decimation of our hopes, hearts, and bodies. And though we are not immune to hardship, as we live in a fallen world where Satan still schemes to harm, it’s God who wins. His goodness and plans override any harm the enemy could ever plot.   

I would soon learn that something did indeed go wrong after my surgery. Just when the surgeons were finishing up and removing my chest tube, my blood pressure tanked, and it took an extra few hours to stabilize me. Little did I know this was just the beginning of many more dips and twists in the weeks of recovery to come, and I would need these biblical truths more than I knew. This is true of your life, too. When fear tells you harm is at hand, when life turns upside down, and inside out, you will need to hold tight to God’s hope-filled promises.

I wanted these words written on my heart and never to leave my sight or soul. I even purchased a scripture plaque to place by my side before surgery, to remain present every day thereafter to keep me grounded in truth. The truth is that no matter how hard things seemed, God’s plan was not to harm me. That no matter what life looked like in the moment, God had plans for my future. That were good. That were prosperous. And that would always prevail. And the same is true for you.

I hope you will write these truths of Jeremiah 29:11 on your heart and in the halls of your home, too. Because life won’t always lead you along the easy path, free from struggle and suffering. I bet you're facing some hard things today. All of us will always to some degree. Yet what we can be confident in is this: No matter where God allows our path to take us, his plan is never to harm us. God’s plan for us is for a good future. A future full of his presence and peace. And God’s plan always prevails and prospers. 

Let’s Pray:

Lord God, Your plan is never to harm or hurt me, yet so often I feel this very fear. I want to believe with all my heart the truth that no matter where I wind up, or what rocky path I find myself on, you still have good plans. Though the enemy intends to harm me, you intend to help me and lead me to a beautiful future full of your goodness. Full of your protection, peace, and loving presence. Lord, I praise you that your plan is the one that prevails and that it is so, so good. In Jesus name, Amen.

If you liked what you read, I think you will love my latest book, Win Over Worry: Conquer What Shakes You and Soar With the One Who Overcomes. You can find it on Amazon or at your favorite online retailer. I hope it blesses you!

Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/Motortion

Keri Eichberger is a Jesus-loving Kentucky girl. She is married to her best friend, Mike, and has a full house of five kids. After years of writing for an online audience, Keri became ordained through Southeast Christian Church, giving her life to full-time ministry. She is the author of Win Over Worry: Conquer What Shakes You and Soar With the One Who Overcomes, and has a passion for sharing faith-filled encouragement through devotional writing. Connect with Keri at kerieichberger.com or Instagram.

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In this episode of the Unhurried Living Podcast, Alan Fadling sits down with theologian and spiritual formation professor Kyle Strobel to discuss the new book When God Seems Distant, coauthored with John Coe. If this episode helps you recenter your work and life on God, be sure to follow Unhurried Living on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode!