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A Prayer for Remembering God’s Story

Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” Genesis 12:1-3

Gracious and sovereign Father, this one small passage is like a Trojan Horse of glory, reminding us we’re not ruled by our silly whims, but your perfect will. Indeed providence, not happenstance, controls all of history; not tyrant kings, but your enthroned Son; not mere possibilities, but your inviolate promises. There’s never been one anxious moment in heaven or a need for a plan B. O, the freedom and joy this brings us. Hallelujah, many times over!

We begin our day reflecting on the central storyline which unfolds in your Word, connecting all of history and revealing your generous heart. To do so is not merely a great delight but a critical discipline, Father, for many other narratives compete for our hearts, days, energy and resources.

We praise you for making these all-encompassing promises to a non-suspecting pagan, Abram—promises you alone can keep. Indeed, from beginning to end, your story is a story of sovereign grace and covenant splendor.

Father, thank you for the promise of the land. It began in the Garden of Eden, continued in the land of Israel and will culminate in the new heaven and new earth. Place and space matter to you. You have promised to redeem and restore your entire fallen world, not just one part of it. One day the knowledge of your glory will cover the whole earth. Every square inch is of your creation will be celebrated as holy land! We praise you for your inviolate plans and great strength.

Thank you for the promise of “the seed.” From the one man Abram, you created a great nation as the birthing canal of the Messiah—Jesus. You promised the seed of the woman would crush the head of the serpent (Genesis 3:15), and you did not lie. Jesus came into the world to destroy the work of the devil and he has succeeded. His cross and resurrection guarantee that just like Abraham, we are counted righteous in your sight by faith (Gen. 15:6; Rom 4). Not by our grit, but by your grace; not by our effort, but Jesus’ work; not by our holding on, but by our being held. We praise you for the everlasting gospel of your saving grace.

Thank you for the promise of “the blessing.” Father, it has always been your plan to redeem a family from all families on the earth. Indeed, you made Abram, Abraham—the father of many nations. All of history is bound up with your commitment to redeem your people “from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages” (Rev. 7:9). Missions is not our job, but your joy; not our duty, but your delight; our calling, not our burden. We praise you for your magnanimous heart and measureless generosity.

Father, thank you for making us characters in and carriers of this, your great story of redemption. So let us live and so let us love. So very Amen we pray, in Jesus’ name, with gratitude and awe.

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