A Prayer for Finding Balance - Your Daily Prayer - February 5

A Prayer for Finding Balance
By: Kristine Brown

“Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul.” 3 John 1:2

Looking at my calendar for the week, a familiar heaviness settles into my stomach. I’ve done it again. Not intentionally, but when those last few requests came in for one more phone call, one more meeting, one more event, I said yes. Now, I’m regretting it with everything in my being.

The only way out is also a familiar tune I sing to myself every time overwhelm takes over. “I need a break. I need to rest.” The pressure of doing it all is followed by the desire to step away from it all. Give in to the exhaustion.

And just like that, I’ve fallen into the same trap of “all or nothing” that I promised myself I’d avoid.

Life feels a lot like a roller coaster ride these days. As a kid, I anticipated the adrenaline rush of going faster and faster, followed by the need for a reprieve. Pretty soon that desire for more rush took over and I was back in line again. Fun for a visit to the theme park, not so much when it’s real life. If only I could learn to move with steady assurance instead of full-speed ahead. If only I could find balance in life.

“Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul.” 3 John 1:2

In this opening to his friend Gaius, John makes a statement about the connection between our physical health and spiritual health. We can work diligently for the Lord, our families, and our jobs with the best intentions. But every go-getter knows when we don’t stay centered on God, we will find ourselves overloaded. Left unchecked, we will keep going until we crash. Physically depleted. Then we fall behind on our tasks, and the cycle repeats.

But it doesn’t have to be that way. We can keep our minds, hearts, and bodies in perfect balance when we refocus through prayer. Notice in John’s letter how he commits to praying for his friend. When we pray for God to keep us in good balance, He will help us. Let’s begin with this prayer for finding balance in our lives.

Dear Heavenly Father,

I like being busy, and I believe you created me to be productive. But time and time again I get into a pattern of saying yes and adding one more thing to my already full calendar. Pretty soon I end up physically exhausted and wanting a break from everything. Forgive me Lord for relying on my own strength instead of calling out to You for help. You are my hope and the answer for this struggle.

Your Word says in Romans 8:28 ESV, “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” You’ve called me. Therefore I don’t have to prove myself with good works. You love me and want me to live in good health. You want me to prosper in soul and body. When I start running full-speed ahead, help me remember to let You guide the way. Help me stay centered on Your son Jesus.

I give you praise today for giving second chances. You never give up on me, and You provide the answers I need for the off-balance life I’ve been living. Thank you for grace, mercy, and for leading me into the balanced life You offer through the Holy Spirit.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

For more spiritual growth resources, check out this free email study from Kristine Brown, Walking with Hagar: A 5-Day Challenge for Following God’s Plan. You’ll find weekly encouragement to help you “become more than yourself through God’s Word” at her website, kristinebrown.net. Kristine is the author of the book, Over It. Conquering Comparison to Live Out God’s Plan, and the companion devotional for teens.

Editor's Note: We're proud to announce we've just launched a new nighttime companion to Your Daily Prayer: the Your Nightly Prayer devotional. You'll soon be able to subscribe to receive Your Nightly Prayer via email, or as a podcast, but for now you can find it on the website at crosswalk.com/devotionals/your-nightly-prayer. We hope it's a relaxing and soothing way to wind down your day with rich meditations on who God is.

Related Resource: Jesus Calling - Stories of Faith

Kerry Washington. Andrea Bocelli. Reba McEntire. Mark Wahlberg. Tony Dungy. Matthew McConaughey, What do all of these people have in common? They are all people of faith who have leaned on God in both the good and challenging times—and they’ve shown up to tell their story of faith on The Jesus Calling Podcast. The Jesus Calling Podcast provides a place for people from all walks of life to share the heartaches, joys, and divine moments that keep them going. 

Inspired by Sarah Young's classic devotional book, the Jesus Calling podcast has brought encouragement and peace to millions. New episodes drop every Thursday! Listen today on LifeAudio.com or wherever you find your podcasts.

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