An Evening Prayer Over an Unfinished To-Do List

I've brought my list to bed again, Lord,
and most of it still isn't crossed off.

The call I meant to make.
The forms still waiting on the kitchen table.
The jobs I moved from yesterday to today,
and now from today to tomorrow.

I measure my days by this list, and You know it.
On nights like this I go to bed feeling behind.
But You never told me to finish everything
before I was allowed to rest.

Even Jesus did not do everything people wanted.
He stopped. He ate. He slept in a boat.
He went off alone to pray
while the crowds were still looking for Him.

So I put the list down beside the bed.
What truly matters will keep until morning.
What doesn't, help me let go of.
And the work You are doing in my life
was never on this list at all.
You will finish that Yourself.

In Jesus' name, Amen.

When to Pray This

Pray this when you go to bed feeling behind, with the list still running through your head. If you keep a real list by the bed, set it down on the nightstand as you pray.

A Verse to Hold On To

"The LORD will fulfill His purpose for me." — Psalm 138:8 (BSB)