How To Pray In Times Of Uncertainties

We never know what tomorrow will bring. That is just one of the realities in life that we should come to terms with. For example, a business is thriving for a season, and then suddenly, a disaster comes that wipes out not just the business but an entire town. Likewise, things might be dire currently, but suddenly, things turn around. A person may plan for his or her year yet find some, if not all, of his or her plans changed due to certain events. We never know what tomorrow holds. Therefore, uncertainties are always part of life. However, the comfort that we can have is that God, in His omniscience, knows everything from eternity. Nothing is a surprise for Him.

Father in heaven, even though I do not know what the future holds, You know it and work all things for my good. Therefore, I won’t be consumed by worry; instead, I will trust You wherever You lead me. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

What Does the Bible Say About Uncertainties?

The truth that tomorrow is not something we can be sure of is found in the Bible. Proverbs 27:1 states that we can never boast about tomorrow, for we never know what tomorrow will bring. The same is said in James 4:13-16. We are not to boast about what will happen or what we will do because it might not come to pass tomorrow. Instead, we are to have the mindset or say that, indeed, if it is God’s will, it will happen.

While the fact that tomorrow is something we do not know and therefore is uncertain is something that the Bible says, the Bible does not stop there. From our perspective, everything might be unknown, whatever the future holds, but with God, it is not. It is because God is the One who works all things for our good (Romans 8:28). Ephesians 1:11 states that he works all things according to the counsel of His will. No future is uncertain for God because He is the One whose sovereignty works all things. We might be surprised with what tomorrow may bring, but that is not so with God. That is why we can trust Him.

That is where we can also see God’s providence at work. His providence is always at work in every detail of our lives. We can walk securely despite tomorrow’s uncertainties because He orders every step. He has already taken into account everything. No amount of mess-ups or mistakes on our part can deter us from His will. That is why Psalm 23 shows us that God is our Shepherd. He is the One who leads us in paths of righteousness, the One who is with us in the valley of the shadow of death, and the One whose mercies and goodness always follow us to ensure that we are always right at the center of God’s will. Our good shepherd got us.

That does not mean that God is the One who caused the bad things in your life. Those are the result of sin. However, God, in His sovereignty, can turn and work that for your good (Romans 8:28; Genesis 50:20). In the story of Joseph, when he was sold into slavery by his brothers, surely he didn’t know what his future would be as a slave. His being sold by his brothers is not God’s doing but his brothers’ out of their envy and bitterness. The brothers are responsible for their sins. Yet, we know that in the end, God used what happened to save Israel from the great famine that was to come.

This shows us that God is faithful, and His divine providence is always at work. That is already a truth we can hold on to as we face the uncertain future confidently.

How Can We Pray When Facing Uncertainties?

When facing uncertainties, there are two prayers that you can use. The first one is about being honest to God and casting to Him your anxieties regarding the future (1 Peter 5:6-7). What makes you worried about the future? You can bring them all up to God, who cares for you.

Father in heaven, I am worried about what the future holds for me. Will the plans that I have made come to pass? Or will there be any changes? Regardless, I know You are the One who directs my life. You are a good Father who works all things for my good. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

The second prayer is all about focusing on who God is. Here, you can focus on God’s sovereignty, faithfulness, providence, wisdom, and other attributes of Him that would bring you comfort whenever you face an uncertain future.

Heavenly Father, no matter how uncertain the future may be, I know that You hold everything together. You order everything that happens in my life for my good. Because of that, I can walk securely no matter the future. I know that whether in a dark valley or a green pasture, Your mercy and goodness are always there. You are faithful and true to Your promises. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

In times of uncertainty, we may doubt God’s faithfulness, providence, and sovereignty over things in our lives. However, the truth that God is faithful and sovereign does not depend on our feelings. Whatever we feel, God is faithful and sovereign, and His providential care is always taking good care of us.