Pray When You are Confused About an Uncertain Tomorrow
When our daughter was a toddler she found the difference between today and tomorrow very confusing.
We’ would say, “We are going to to do (something fun) tomorrow.”
And she would always respond with delight and great enthusiasm.
But the next morning when she got up she would ask, “Is it tomorrow?”
Of course, we would reply, “No, it’s today.”
At which point she would get very sad and say, “But I want it to be tomorrow so we can do __________.”
(It sounds like our personal version of who’s on first, doesn’t it?)
And even when we would tell her, “Honey, we are going to do __________.”
She would look at us confused and say, “But it’s not tomorrow.”
Little children aren’t the only ones who have trouble understanding the difference between today and tomorrow.
You and I can so easily waste today worrying about tomorrow. Waiting for tomorrow. Procrastinating until tomorrow. Starting over tomorrow.
But the truth is, whatever we think about tomorrow we can only live today.
Corrie ten Boom wrote:
“Worrying is carrying tomorrow’s load with today’s strength- carrying two days at once. It is moving into tomorrow ahead of time. Worrying doesn’t empty tomorrow of its sorrow, it empties today of its strength.”
So, let’s take a closer look at what the Bible says and surrender our worry and uncertainty about tomorrow to the Lord.
Pray When You are Confused About an Uncertain Tomorrow
When You’re Worried and Uncertain about Tomorrow
“So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.”
Matthew 6:34
Father, I surrender my thoughts to You. Please grant me Your peace and help me live today without worrying about tomorrow. By Your grace, help me know the difference between planning for tomorrow and worrying about tomorrow. Guide me as I set goals and help me put You first in everything I do . . . that I might live each day for Your glory. Amen.
When You’re Tired of Waiting for “Tomorrow”
Wait patiently for the Lord.
Psalm 27:14
Be brave and courageous.
Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.
Father, Please give me the courage and strength I need today. Sometimes today is hard because You’re asking me to wait. Please give me patience. By Your grace, give me everything I need to trust You today. Whatever is going on in my life . . . You promise to give me everything I need when I seek You first. Please lead me today, make Your will clear to me, and give me all I need to follow You in faith today. Amen.
“Darkness comes. In the middle of it, the future looks blank. The temptation to quit is huge. Don’t. You are in good company… You will argue with yourself that there is no way forward. But with God, nothing is impossible. He has more ropes and ladders and tunnels out of pits than you can conceive. Wait. Pray without ceasing. Hope.” ~John Piper
When You’re Tempted to Procrastinate Until Tomorrow
“Tomorrow is often the busiest day of the week” ~a Spanish Proverb
Fight the good fight of faith, grabbing hold of the life that continues forever. You were called to have that life when you confessed the good confession before many witnesses.
Ephesians 5:15–17
Father, please give me the strength I need today. By Your grace, help me plan my days well without over-planning so I’m not tempted to procrastinate. Give me the energy I need each day and help me remember to pause and rest in Your presence. By Your all-sufficient grace help me stay focused on You that I might do Your will as You reveal it to me. Amen.
“You cannot escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today.” ~Abraham Lincoln
When You’re Tempted to Carry Guilt and Shame Into Tomorrow
“The voice of sin is loud, but the voice of forgiveness is louder.” ~Dwight L. Moody
If we confess our sins to Him, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.
1 John 1:9
Father, I am so sorry for failing to trust and obey Your will the way You want. I try so hard but fall short every day. And the enemy taunts and tells me I’m useless, that I’ll never change, that I need to wear my guilt like a label across my heart. But You are faithful to forgive because You want to forgive. You proved Your unfailing love by allowing Jesus to suffer my punishment on the cross.
Thank you! Help me live today with the joy of forgiveness and help me generously extend that same loving forgiveness to the people You place around me. Thank you for washing me clean today and for every new tomorrow You give me to try again. Amen.
“Isn’t it nice to think that tomorrow is a new day with no mistakes in it yet?” ~L.M.Montgomery
When You Need to Remember to LIVE Today
“Even if I knew that tomorrow the world would go to pieces, I would still plant my apple tree.” ~Martin Luther
The Lord is my shepherd;
Psalm 23:1–3
I have all that I need.
He lets me rest in green meadows;
He leads me beside peaceful streams.
He renews my strength.
He guides me along right paths,
bringing honor to His name.
Father, thank you for Your provision, guidance, and rest. You truly do give me everything I need each day. Please help me walk peacefully with You today. Keep me from worrying about tomorrow’s unknown and give me the faith I need to trust You even when I don’t understand. Life can be hard and confusing but when You are with me teaching and leading . . . I have Your all-sufficient grace to flourish in the good things You have prepared for me. I love You, Lord. You are all I need today, tomorrow, and forever. Amen.
I love this quote from Henri Nouwen. It reminds of simple ways you and I can live for God’s glory today . . . without worrying about tomorrow’s uncertainty.
“Did I offer peace today? Did I bring a smile to someone’s face? Did I say words of healing? Did I let go of my anger and resentment? Did I forgive? Did I love? These are the real questions. I must trust that the little bit of love that I sow now will bear many fruits, here in this world and the life to come.”
So friends,
Celebrate today.
Live with confidence that God has You covered in His grace, mercy, and love.
Have hope for tomorrow, but don’t wait for it to live . . . get up and boldly experience all God has for you.
Follow where the Lord leads you and trust Him to bless you with the goodness of life that only He can give.
May He bless you today and tomorrow!
What a great reminder that God is in control. He holds our today’s and tomorrow’s in His hands. I sometimes forget that all my worrying is for naught. Thank you for sharing.
Me too, Judy! I have wasted so much time in my life worrying. With God’s help, I am on a journey to recovery. Thanks so much for joining the conversation. God bless you!
I used to tell my Mom not ti worry! That it does no good! Now I think it is hereditary! I give it to the Lord over and over and over…
Todays blog really was a perfect reminder and also you writing that you are in worry recovery! Im going to use that for myself! Blessings!
I’m so glad you were blessed, Jennifer. I know the struggle well. I’m asking the Spirit to continue to give that nudge you need (and I do, too) that will help us surrender to His love and hard to explain peace. God be with you!
Your scriptural prayers continue to help me daily. Thank you for allowing God to use you.
Thank you, Saundra! I so appreciate your kind encouragement and knowing that you are being blessed. God be with you and bless you!
Such great encouragement you’ve offered here today, Deb! Yes, if we want to live fully to God’s glory, we need to embrace each moment of each day, not worrying about all the tomorrows that may or may not come. Know I prayed each prayer with you.
Blessings!
Thank you, my friend! May you have a joy-filled and blessed weekend!
Thank you, a lot of your posts have helped me in my daily struggles and this one is a very good reminder. You are a blessing.
Thank you, Elda! I am so glad you are being blessed and encouraged. Your kind comment made my day! God bless you!
Your message came at the most perfect time! We are facing the unknown right now with the aftermath of Hurricane Sally. I was looking forward to a doctors appointment that had been rescheduled three times. When I arrived for my make-up appointment today, the clinic had no power. We are headed back home where there is also no power and it may not be restored for weeks. Fortunately, we are able to stay with my parents who live fairly close by in a neighborhood with power. Most of my neighbors are not that fortunate. Your message today is very very comforting, thank you!
I’m so sorry, Robin. People are dealing with so many difficult challenges. I am so sorry for all you are going through. I am praying that the Lord will give you His strength, enable you to get to the doctor soon, and help your community repair and rebuild. God bless you.
You have been a great asset to my life. You have truly give me encouragement, hope and energized me to move on positively with my life daily encounter.
Life is full of challenges and very good things every day. And each day come with its own challenges and good good things. God has been great in all my daily encounters.
God bless you abundantly for your service to us all.
Patrick, I am so very blessed by your kind encouragement. May God continue to be with you and bless you as He guides you with His love. Blessings!