The past few devotionals have been focused on perseverance and playing the long game.

With that in mind, let me introduce what I think is a helpful play on words: Pray the long game.

Playing the long game (without the ‘r’), is about saying and doing things in the here and now which will help you be successful in the future. In the near term, we can become easily discouraged if we don’t see results. That’s why we need to keep the big picture in mind. People also call it the ‘long view.’

Praying the long game (with the ‘r’), is about praying for long-term success today. When we do this, not only are we asking God to help, but we are reminding ourselves about the kinds of things we should be saying and doing today to ensure we stay on track as we move toward those longer term goals.

In Galatians 6:9 Paul writes: “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” The mention of a ‘harvest’ tells us that this is a metaphor from the world of farming. A harvest doesn’t instantly appear. You need to till and seed and water and protect. It’s a process. It takes time.

What are your God-honouring, long-term goals? Do they have to do with your career, or your family, or a relationship, or a community project, or an aspect of your personal development?

Pray about them. Keep them top of mind. Don’t get discouraged when you don’t see immediate results. And do things today which keep you on track and moving in the right direction. 

Pray the long game.

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Notes:

–The Up Devotional is published 5 days a week (Monday-Friday) and returns on July 29, 2024.
–Bible quotes are from the NIV.