Dear God,
Sometimes life works out as I plan.
Sometimes life takes me on a detour.
I’m grateful when plans become reality and dreams come true.
I’m also grateful for Your presence and guidance when I’m on a detour.
I want to grow. I desire to develop. I need to learn.
I seek to deepen my dependence on You.
May these things happen as my plans become reality and as my dreams come true.
May these things happen on the detours.
I’m impatient. I want to arrive at my destination on my terms and timing.
But my planning isn’t perfect and even when it is good—detours happen.
Give me patience like a river—steadily moving forward until the destination is reached.
Teach me the fullness of life that comes through daily progress and perseverance.
I’m too self-dependent. I want to arrive at my destination by my strength.
But my performance isn’t perfect and even when it is good—detours happen.
Direct me by day. Protect me from myself and provide me Your Holy Spirit.
Guide me by night. Be my beacon of hope and my light in darkness.
Show me that a detour isn’t a dead end. Only an alternative route.
Help me enjoy and embrace the detours.
Give me the courage and commitment to explore the road I didn’t choose.
May I be blessed on the detour and emerge as stronger because of the detour.
On days when quitting is the easy thing to do, help me continue.
When I feel overcome with doubts and hurts, give me faith and healing to overcome.
When I am a victim, lift me up and make me a victor.
When the detour seems like it’s just too much—speak to me that You are more than enough.
I’m going to keep praying and planning and preparing.
For the ordinary days and for the detours.
Either way, my days and nights will be spent loving others and loving You.
Either way, I will enjoy You and Your creation in the weeks and months and years to come.
Amen.
