A prayer to seize the day
Written by Vivian Bricker
Bible reading:
“Be careful, then, how you live your life, not as fools but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, for evil days continue” (Ephesians 5:15-16).
Listen or read below:
Last summer, I was diagnosed with a rare type of cancer. Since receiving this diagnosis, I have been dealing with deep sadness, anxiety about the future, and the pressure of facing death. In the weeks following my diagnosis, I had a bleak outlook on life. What’s the point of doing anything if this cancer could take my life?
After praying and expressing my concerns to the Lord, I realized that I could not continue to live like this. You can no longer serve God properly if you no longer find meaning in your life. God helped me change my perspective.
I had to deal with the reality of life or death. Even if I die from this cancer, I’ll be okay. God is with me every step of the way. The apostle Paul said, “If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord” (Romans 14:8).
Applying this truth to my own life helped me understand the importance of making every day count. Life is too short to waste it on trivial things. I started seeing friends I hadn’t seen in years, traveling to new destinations, and healing wounds from childhood. Jesus died so that we could live an abundant life, not a joyless life filled with suffering, disappointment, and pain (John 10:10).
Do you feel like you are making the most of each day? You may be living your day on autopilot. This is normal if you have had a traumatic experience. Challenge yourself to bring all your concerns to the foot of the cross. Talk to the Lord in prayer, cast your cares on Him, and allow Him to change your heart (1 Peter 5:7).
Paul tells us: “Be careful, then, how you live your life, making the most of every opportunity, not as fools, but as wise, for the times are evil” (Ephesians 5:15-16). Ephesians 5 focuses on living as children of light (Ephesians 5:8-14). As children of light, we must be careful how we live. We don’t have to live as fools, existing for our own joys, joys, and even sorrows.
Paul asks us to make the most of every opportunity. This means we have to seize the day. We need to look for small ways in which we can bring glory to God in our interactions with others. If a friend is facing divorce, will we do everything in our power to help them? Perhaps someone in your family has fallen on hard times and can’t pay this month’s rent. What are we doing to help our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ?
We can seize that day by faithfully following God. If we live for our sinful flesh, our days will feel aimless and empty. Paul clearly states, “The days are evil.” This means that the sinful world is already trying to divert our attention to trivial matters. Choose to live for God, love others, follow the Bible, and make the most of each day. Your life will be filled with purpose, meaning, and God’s work.
Let’s pray:
Dear God,
I often feel like I’m wasting my life. There are many things trying to get my attention, but they only distract my attention from you. As a child of light, I want to live faithfully to you, obey you, and serve you. I don’t want my heart to be ruled by sadness or a sinful body. My life is for you and only you. Help me to be Your hands and feet to the world.
Give purpose and meaning to my life. This will help you capture every moment. When someone is suffering, be comforting and help them. When you feel like saying something you’ll regret later, fill your heart with conviction. In all things, teach me to count my days and know that my life is in your hands.
Help me to serve You faithfully all day long. Make sure that the structure of my life is in alignment with Your will. Amen.
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Vivian Bricker earned a Bachelor of Arts in Ministry and then a Master of Arts with an emphasis in Theology. She loves theology, ministry, and all things helping others learn about Jesus. Check out more of her content on Cultivate.
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