A Prayer to Rediscover Purpose in Life - Your Daily Prayer - October 23

Audio By Carbonatix

A Prayer to Rediscover Purpose in Life
By Sophia Bricker

Bible Reading
“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil” (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14, NIV).

Listen or Read Below

In her poem, “The Summer Day,” Mary Oliver asks a piercing question. Amid the seemingly ordinary backdrop of the lawn and grasshoppers, she directs the attention to the reader: “Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?”

How different this question is from many of the narratives we hear in our lives, or even the ones we tell ourselves: Unless our lives are ultra-visible to others, they don’t matter, or the mundane moments are unimportant compared to the rest of our days. Too often, we sound like the teacher of Ecclesiastes when he declared: “Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless” (Ecclesiastes 1:2, NIV).

Such statements become louder during seasons of heartache and hardship. In the blur of loss, we begin to wonder if our lives matter and if there is a reason to keep going. We can even struggle with a lack of purpose, meandering through life as those who only experience suffering in a fallen world, but are unable to act as agents of significant change.

The teacher, traditionally viewed as Solomon, observed the facts of life and reached similar conclusions. Wisdom, pleasure, and work are all pointless, a mere chasing of the wind (Ecclesiastes 1:14). People work endlessly for things that will eventually fade away. Both the wise and the fool, the rich and the poor will die; their fates are the same (Ecclesiastes 2:14-15). Everything will ultimately end, at least from a natural standpoint. So, what does it all matter?

Thankfully, Ecclesiastes does not leave us in the throes of depressing realizations. Solomon instead turns our attention to God. All those things that we thought didn’t matter–the diligent work on a worthy task, the pursuit of godly wisdom, and the choice to act justly–are noticed by the all-seeing, all-knowing God who will judge the deeds of every person (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14). With Him, nothing is meaningless.

And that longing to matter is not pointless, a mere symptom of an existential crisis. It’s built in (Ecclesiastes 3:11). We were all made to know the Lord and glorify Him. For followers of Christ, we know that there is more to life than merely checking off lists of milestones or merely surviving. Scripture tells us that our Lord prepared good work for us to do, and we are His masterpieces (Ephesians 2:10).

So, the question remains. What will we do with the life that He has given us? Our answer means more than we imagine.

Let’s Pray

Lord, these days I often feel untethered from anything greater. I go through the motions of routine and necessity, but something inside me yearns to know that what I do has meaning. At one time, I knew that my life mattered; the situations I have faced, though, have ripped that away. I am left bare and bent against the sufferings in life. With weary eyes, I affirm the words of Ecclesiastes: Surely, it is all meaningless, the striving, working, and loving.

But that’s not the purpose of that book as wisdom literature. Yes, in a fallen world, we all face toil and striving under the sun. Ecclesiastes makes it clear, however, that the point is not the things themselves–You are the reason we are alive. The greatest meaning comes when we know and are known by You, O God.

Guide my steps as I begin to walk with renewed purpose today. I don’t know what the future holds or what obstacles I may face, but I trust that You will be with me. And what I do for Your glory and in Your strength matters, even the small, mundane tasks no one notices. Focus my eyes on eternity so that as I move through this day, I remember that each moment is filled with meaning. There is a reason why You placed me in this time and place. May I not waste it but steward it well. In Jesus’ precious name, I pray. Amen.

Share your reflections on today’s devotional in the Your Daily Prayer discussion on the Crosswalk Forum.

Photo Credit: © Unsplash/Kilarov Zaneit

Sophia Bricker is a writer. Her mission is to help others grow in their relationship with Jesus through thoughtful articles, devotionals, and stories. She completed a BA and MA in Christian ministry, which included extensive study of the Bible and theology, as well as an MFA in creative writing. You can read her thoughts about the intersection of literature and faith at The Cross, a Pen, and a Page Substack, visit her author Facebook page, or browse the discipleship-based site Cultivate, where she writes with her sister. 

Want More Encouragement for Your Day?

Story Behind is a Christian podcast sharing true stories of God at work in the lives of ordinary people: from answered prayers and unexpected miracles to everyday heroes, extraordinary courage, and the good news happening in our world today.

Each episode goes beyond the headlines to uncover the remarkable people, moments, and circumstances behind these stories. Discover how God is moving through people, families, and communities, and find hope in the places you might least expect it.