Teach Us to Number Our Days

Learning Wisdom in a World That Wastes Time

Scripture Reference: Psalm 90:12

“So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.”

Some Personal Reflection

I have always been drawn to Psalm 90. Many years ago, as a brand-new Christian, I remember my surprise when I discovered that Moses—Israel’s great leader and lawgiver—was the author of this Psalm. We don’t often think of Moses as a Psalm writer, yet he penned one of the most sobering, powerful, and timeless prayers in all of Scripture.

Two verses gripped my heart the very first time I read them—verses 10 and 12. Verse 10 reminds us that “the days of our lives are seventy years; and if by reason of strength they are eighty.” And verse 12 pleads with God, saying, “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”

I memorized those verses more than fifty years ago, long before I could grasp their weight or imagine their relevance to my own life.

Back then, seventy seemed so far away it might as well have been another lifetime. Yet two months ago I turned seventy—something I never expected to see. When I was first diagnosed at fifty-seven, I could not picture reaching that milestone, especially not after facing six strokes by the time I finally arrived here. And then Moses, from across the centuries, reaches into my present moment and reminds me again of the frailty, brevity, and preciousness of life.

For the past thirteen years, the Lord has taught me to treasure every day He places before me. I have learned—sometimes through pain, sometimes through tears, always through grace—that none of us can afford to waste the time God entrusts to us. So every morning, before anything else, I ask the Lord for fresh strength to keep building His kingdom, and for the wisdom to do His will with whatever time remains.

As I worked on this devotional, my thoughts turned to several dear brothers in Christ—men who are fifteen or more years ahead of me on this earthly journey. Some are behind prison walls, others are not, but all of them have given their lives sacrificially for the gospel. One is now in his fifth year of dialysis and growing weaker. Another has endured more heart procedures than I can count and is presently battling pneumonia.

My heart aches thinking of the day the Lord may call them home. Yet each of these men has modeled something priceless: they do not fear death. They face eternity with the same confidence Paul had when he declared, “to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.”

Their courage—and their faith—remind me that numbering our days is not meant to make us fearful or anxious. It is meant to make us purposeful. It is meant to fix our eyes on eternity while we faithfully labor in the present.

So as I enter this new season of life, marked by weakness yet strengthened by grace, I echo Moses’ ancient prayer for myself—and for every one of you reading this today:
“Lord, teach us to number our days, that we may live each one for Your glory”.

And when our final day arrives, may we greet it not with fear, but with the joyful certainty that we are finally going home.

Introduction – When Time Becomes a Teacher

Life is brief. Life is fragile. Life is limited. These are truths that most people in the free world rarely stop to consider, and even when they do, the weight of these truths often slips past them within minutes. But Scripture refuses to let us ignore them. Psalm 90:12 stands like a divine interruption — a holy stop sign placed in the middle of the road — demanding that we slow down, consider our end, and learn to live wisely while we still can.

Psalm 90 is unique among the psalms. It is the only one written by Moses, the man of God. And Moses did not write this psalm during a time of personal peace or national triumph. Instead, he wrote it while leading Israel through the wilderness — a journey marked by funerals, failures, judgments, and the relentless reality that an entire generation would die before reaching the Promised Land. Moses watched graves being dug day after day in the desert. He watched people waste their lives through unbelief and rebellion. He witnessed firsthand the consequences of ignoring God’s call to obedience. And it is from this painful context that Psalm 90 emerges as one of the most sobering and yet most hope-filled passages in Scripture.

The psalm begins not with man, but with God: “Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations” (Psalm 90:1). Moses roots the entire psalm in the eternal stability of God, who existed “before the mountains were brought forth” and “from everlasting to everlasting” (Psalm 90:2). Moses deliberately contrasts the eternal God with mortal humanity: “You return man to dust and say, ‘Return, O children of man’” (Psalm 90:3).

Here Moses confronts us with the reality that God is eternal and we are not. God is infinite and we are limited. God is sovereign and we are dependent. God is unchanging and we are fading away. This contrast forms the foundation from which Moses prays verse 12: “So teach us to number our days, that we may get a heart of wisdom.”

When Moses wrote this psalm, he had already lived more than most men ever would. At eighty years old, he had stood before Pharaoh, parted the Red Sea, received the Ten Commandments, interceded for a rebellious nation, and led millions through the harsh wilderness.

He knew what it meant to be confronted by the brevity of life. He had seen judgment sweep across the camp. He had watched Aaron, Miriam, and countless Israelites die before entering the land. Moses understood that life is not only brief — it is serious, purposeful, and accountable before God.

Psalm 90 reflects this deep awareness. Moses writes, “The years of our life are seventy, or even by reason of strength eighty; yet their span is but toil and trouble” (Psalm 90:10). These words are not cynical; they are realistic. Moses had experienced hardship, sorrow, fatigue, and disappointment, but he also recognized the faithfulness of God.

And so the psalm moves from the brevity of life to a longing for wisdom, revival, restoration, and divine favor. It is within this movement that verse 12 becomes a central prayer of a man shaped by experience, humbled by God’s greatness, and desperate for spiritual clarity.

Moses’ prayer — “Teach us to number our days” — is not a request for more information about the length of life. He is not asking God to tell him how many days he has left. Instead, he is asking God to help him recognize the value, purpose, and accountability of each day.

He is asking for the ability to see life through a divine lens — to live consciously, intentionally, wisely, and eternally. He is asking for a heart shaped not by impulse or fear but by heavenly wisdom. He is asking God to rescue him from wasting time, wasting opportunities, and wasting his life. Immediately I’m reminded of one of the brothers I spoke about earlier. This 87 year old champion of the faith has had a goal for many years, that as he goes throughout his day, he will always endeavor to share the gospel with at least one person. So, whether it’s 5:00 am most mornings at the “Waffle House.” or somewhere else in his day, this brother has a deep conviction and commitment to be a “soul winner.” How sad that we rarely ever hear that wonderful phrase in this modern day.

Some years ago, Beryl, in one of hie essays mentioned Proverbs 11:30. “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he that winneth souls is wise. He would conclude with the challenging remark, – “what’s hanging on your tree.” Think about that and let it sink in as it relates to your life?? – “or not.”

This prayer is especially relevant for those in prison. Behind bars, time moves strangely. Days can feel endless, yet years slip away unnoticed. Routines become repetitive. Opportunities feel limited. Regrets grow heavy. But Moses’ prayer cuts through all of that: “Teach us to number our days.” Not count them in frustration, but number them with purpose.

Not resent them, but redeem them. Not endure them passively, but embrace them as God-given trust, even in prison. Time in prison is still God’s time. The days behind bars are not wasted days unless they are lived without wisdom. For the prisoner who belongs to Christ, even incarceration becomes a classroom where God teaches eternal lessons.

A heart of wisdom is not gained through age, education, or circumstances. It is gained through surrender to the God who gives meaning to every moment. Moses teaches us that a wise heart is shaped by recognizing the shortness of life and the greatness of God. It is shaped by repentance, humility, obedience, and dependence. And it is shaped by learning to see each day as an opportunity to glorify God, serve others, and prepare for eternity.

Psalm 90:12 calls us to wake up spiritually. It calls us to examine our priorities, confront our sins, and evaluate how we invest our time. It calls us to remember that we will stand before God and give an account for every idle word, every wasted hour, and every opportunity ignored. But it also calls us to hope, because the God who teaches us to number our days is the same God who forgives, restores, strengthens, and satisfies us with His steadfast love (Psalm 90:14).

This psalm is not about death — it is about life. It is about learning to live wisely before it is too late. It is about living today in the light of eternity. It is about allowing God to shape our hearts so deeply that every choice, every moment, and every day becomes part of our walk with Him. This devotional will explore what it truly means to number our days, how God shapes a heart of wisdom, why this matters for prisoners, and how you can live with purpose no matter your circumstances.

Main Point One: Recognizing the Brevity of Life

Human beings live as though they will never die. We plan as though the future is guaranteed. We chase pleasures as though time is unlimited. We argue, sin, postpone repentance, and procrastinate obedience as though we have forever. But Scripture repeatedly confronts us with a different reality: life is short, fragile, and fading.

Moses had witnessed the brevity of life day after day in the wilderness. He watched thousands die because of unbelief. He watched a generation vanish slowly. These experiences shaped the words of Psalm 90. When Moses prays, “Teach us to number our days,” he is inviting us to face a truth we tend to avoid — the fact that our lives are fleeting.

The Bible uses vivid imagery to describe human life. Job says our days are “swifter than a weaver’s shuttle” (Job 7:6). James says our life is “a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away” (James 4:14). David says man's days are “like a passing shadow” (Psalm 144:4). Isaiah compares humanity to “grass that withers and flowers that fade” (Isaiah 40:6–7). These images emphasize a single truth: our time on earth is limited, temporary, and uncertain.

But why is it important to understand the brevity of life? Because wisdom begins with honesty. A person who ignores the reality of life’s shortness will make foolish decisions. They will waste their time, their energy, and their opportunities. They will live as though consequences do not matter. They will behave as though relationships can be repaired later, as though repentance can be delayed, as though tomorrow will always come. Knowing our days are numbered shatters that illusion. It brings urgency to our choices. It exposes the foolishness of sin. It awakens us to spiritual reality.

Death is the great equalizer. It visits the young and the old, the healthy and the sick, the wealthy and the poor, the free and the incarcerated. It does not discriminate. Moses had already witnessed the death of multitudes. He saw the result of rebellion at Kadesh-Barnea when Israel refused to enter the land (Numbers 14).

He saw judgment fall upon Korah and his followers (Numbers 16). He saw serpents sent into the camp because of murmuring (Numbers 21). Over and over Moses saw the same lesson: life is not promised, death is certain, and sin shortens the journey.

But Psalm 90 does not reflect morbid fear — it reflects spiritual awakening. Moses is not asking God to depress him but to awaken him. Numbering our days means acknowledging that every day is a gift, every breath is a mercy, and every moment carries eternal significance. When we understand that life is brief, we learn to prioritize what truly matters — God, salvation, holiness, obedience, repentance, service, and love.

Time is one of the greatest gifts God gives. It is one of the few resources every human possesses equally. You may not have wealth, freedom, influence, or power, but you do have time — the time God has appointed for you. And once time is spent, it can never be recovered. This is why Scripture warns us to “redeem the time” because the days are evil (Ephesians 5:16). To redeem time is to buy it back, to use it intentionally, to invest it wisely, to refuse wasteful living.

In prison, the brevity of life becomes painfully obvious. Time does not stop because someone is incarcerated. Families age. Children grow up. Opportunities outside the fence disappear. Health declines. Loved ones pass away. Men and women behind bars are confronted with the reality that time is moving relentlessly forward. But this reality, painful though it may be, is a gift from God when understood properly. It can be the very thing that awakens the soul to repentance, humility, and eternal purpose.

It is possible to be physically imprisoned while spiritually awakened. Many prisoners testify that it was only after losing their freedom that they began to see life clearly. God used confinement to teach them the value of time and the seriousness of eternity. Moses’ prayer resonates deeply in such circumstances: “Teach us to number our days.” Teach us to stop wasting time.

Teach us to stop living for ourselves. Teach us to stop ignoring You. Teach us to stop going through life unconsciously. Teach us to treasure the present moment as a divine assignment. The brevity of life is not meant to frighten you — it is meant to focus you. It is meant to turn your eyes to the eternal God who stands above time and holds your days in His hands.

Main Point Two: Understanding Our Accountability Before God

If life is brief, then it must also be accountable. Moses understood this deeply. Throughout Psalm 90, he emphasizes God’s holy judgment and humanity’s moral responsibility. He writes, “You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your presence” (Psalm 90:8). Moses reminds us that nothing is hidden from God. Not our actions. Not our motivations. Not our thoughts. Not our past. Not our secrets. If God sees it all, then every moment of life carries eternal weight.

Accountability is one of the most neglected truths of our generation. People love to talk about God’s love, mercy, and grace — all of which are absolutely real and precious — but they ignore His holiness, justice, and sovereignty. Moses refuses to let us forget these truths. He tells us plainly that God is angry with sin and that humanity is consumed by His righteous judgment (Psalm 90:7).

This does not contradict God’s love — it proves it. A God who does not judge sin is not holy. A God who does not deal with evil is not righteous. A God who ignores wickedness is not just. Moses sees God correctly, and in doing so, he understands the seriousness of life.

Every person will stand before God. Hebrews 9:27 declares: “It is appointed unto man once to die, and after that comes judgment.” This is unavoidable. It does not matter whether someone believes it. Truth does not depend on opinion. God has appointed a day when every person will give an account. Jesus said that we will account for “every idle word” (Matthew 12:36). Paul said all our works will be tested by fire (1 Corinthians 3:13). Solomon said that God will bring every deed into judgment, whether good or evil (Ecclesiastes 12:14). Moses says our secret sins are exposed in God’s presence (Psalm 90:8).

Accountability is not meant to terrify the believer — it is meant to purify our priorities. It teaches us that our lives matter, our choices matter, our obedience matters, and our stewardship of time matters. Living with accountability means living with awareness. It means recognizing that today matters because eternity is real. It means understanding that God is not only watching but loving, guiding, correcting, and shaping us for His purposes.

In prison, accountability is unavoidable. Every movement is monitored. Every mistake carries consequences. Every privilege can be taken away. But biblical accountability goes far deeper than institutional rules. It means standing before a holy God who loves you enough to discipline you, refine you, forgive you, and transform you. Prison cannot remove that accountability.

In fact, many prisoners find that confinement intensifies their awareness of God’s gaze. Walls cannot hide sin. Fences cannot block His presence. Isolation cannot drown out His voice. God visits prison yards, cells, dorms, and solitary units with the same seriousness with which He visited Moses on Mount Sinai.

This accountability drives Moses to pray for wisdom. A heart of wisdom understands the seriousness of eternity. It recognizes the importance of repentance. It acknowledges that time is precious and must be used for God’s glory. A heart of wisdom does not fear God’s judgment but cherishes His correction. It seeks holiness not out of legalism but out of love. It desires faithfulness because it understands that God rewards those who diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6).

Understanding our accountability before God is not a burden — it is a blessing. It means our lives are meaningful. It means God cares enough to correct us. It means He will reward the smallest act of faithfulness. It means our suffering is not meaningless and our obedience is not unnoticed. It means our time on earth, even behind bars, is part of our eternal story.

Main Point Three: Asking God to Teach Us

The prayer in Psalm 90:12 begins with a crucial word: “teach.” Moses does not assume that wisdom comes naturally. He does not assume that people automatically understand the value of time. He does not assume that humans know how to live well. Instead, Moses acknowledges that wisdom must be learned — and that God must be the Teacher.

This humility is essential. Many people live foolishly because they refuse to be taught. They reject correction, ignore Scripture, avoid accountability, and resist God’s voice. Pride blinds them. Self-sufficiency misleads them. Their own desires seduce them. Moses, a man who had spoken to God face to face, understood that even he needed divine instruction. If Moses needed to be taught, how much more do we?

Asking God to teach us is an act of surrender. It means admitting we do not have all the answers. It means asking God to interrupt our routines and reorder our priorities. It means acknowledging that only God can open our eyes to eternal truth. Jesus said the Holy Spirit would “guide us into all truth” (John 16:13). James told believers that God gives wisdom generously to all who ask in faith (James 1:5). Solomon urged his son to seek wisdom as treasure (Proverbs 2:1–6). Scripture is filled with promises that God will teach those who humbly seek Him.

The teaching Moses requests is not academic — it is transformational. God teaches us through His Word, His Spirit, His providence, His discipline, and His people. He teaches us through suffering, through blessings, through disappointments, through delays, through trials, and through divine appointments. He teaches us how fragile life is, how precious time is, how dangerous sin is, how faithful He is, and how much we need Him daily.

God often teaches the clearest truths in the darkest places. Many prisoners testify that they learned more about God in confinement than they ever did in freedom. They learned to pray. They learned to listen. They learned to wait. They learned to trust. They learned to repent. They learned that God is enough. Moses’ prayer resonates powerfully in a prison environment: “Teach us.” Not teach us after we are released. Not teach us once life gets easier. Not teach us when circumstances change. But teach us now — in the wilderness, in the hardship, in the waiting, in the confinement.

When a prisoner prays, “Teach me to number my days,” he or she is inviting God to redeem lost years. God can do more with a surrendered heart in a cell than a rebellious heart in the free world. He can compress decades of spiritual growth into months of serious surrender. He can restore time that was wasted in sin. He can reverse patterns that kept a person in bondage. He can open the Scriptures with new clarity. He can shape a heart that treasures holiness more than comfort.

God delights to teach those who are teachable. A wise heart is a taught heart. A taught heart is a surrendered heart. And a surrendered heart is a heart that can withstand trials, navigate hardship, resist temptation, and walk with God in obedience. Moses’ prayer is not a simple request — it is the cry of a man who longs for God’s wisdom more than he longs for long life. He wants his days, however many remain, to count eternally. That is a prayer God loves to answer.

Main Point Four: Gaining a Heart of Wisdom

The goal of Moses’ prayer is clear: “that we may get a heart of wisdom.” A heart of wisdom is not merely knowledge, intelligence, or experience. It is a heart transformed by God. It is a heart that sees life through the lens of eternity. It is a heart that values righteousness more than pleasure, faithfulness more than comfort, holiness more than convenience, and obedience more than personal preference.

Wisdom is not something we stumble into. It is something God forms within us through the work of the Holy Spirit. Scripture says, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom” (Proverbs 9:10). This means wisdom begins with reverence, humility, and a correct view of God. A wise heart understands that God is holy, sovereign, just, and faithful. A wise heart trembles at His Word, trusts His promises, and submits to His authority.

Wisdom also involves discernment — the ability to distinguish between what is valuable and what is worthless, what is eternal and what is temporary, what pleases God and what dishonors Him. Many people waste their lives chasing things that have no eternal value — money, pleasure, reputation, revenge, power, comfort, entertainment. Moses asks God to give him a heart that values what matters. A heart of wisdom treasures God above all else.

Wisdom also shapes our relationships. A wise heart forgives quickly, repents sincerely, loves sacrificially, and refuses bitterness. A wise heart understands the destructive power of anger, the dangers of pride, the poison of unforgiveness, and the necessity of reconciliation. A wise heart builds up rather than tears down. It seeks peace. It speaks truth. It encourages others. It honors authority. It respects boundaries. It serves humbly.

Wisdom also governs our choices. It teaches us to avoid temptation, reject sinful influences, and flee from evil. It teaches us to walk in the Spirit rather than the flesh. It teaches us to plan carefully, pray consistently, and obey immediately. A heart of wisdom seeks guidance before decisions, listens to godly counsel, and discerns the consequences of actions.

A heart of wisdom also values time correctly. It recognizes that time wasted is life wasted. It uses opportunities for spiritual growth. It invests in Scripture study, prayer, worship, and service. It seeks ways to bless others even in confinement. It avoids idleness, gossip, drama, and foolish distractions. It understands that each day on earth is preparation for eternity.

Wisdom is not out of reach. God gives it freely to those who ask, seek, and surrender. A heart of wisdom is the greatest treasure a prisoner can possess — more valuable than commissary money, more precious than a favorable transfer, more enduring than privileges or possessions. A heart of wisdom gives direction in chaos, peace in uncertainty, strength in weakness, clarity in confusion, and stability in temptation.

Moses prayed for a heart of wisdom because he knew Israel could not survive without it. You cannot survive spiritually without it either. A life without wisdom is a life without purpose. A life without wisdom is a life vulnerable to destruction. A life without wisdom is a life wasted. But a life shaped by divine wisdom — even behind bars — is a life that glorifies God, blesses others, and shines as a testimony of God’s transforming power.

Prison Application

Prison is one of the clearest places where Psalm 90:12 becomes real. Behind bars, time takes on a different feel. Days stretch out. Nights feel long. Weeks blend together. Months disappear. Years slip by. In this environment, Moses’ prayer becomes intensely practical.

Numbering your days in prison does not mean counting your days until release — though that may be part of your reality. It means recognizing that every day, even in confinement, is a gift from God that carries eternal purpose. Many prisoners live in regret, replaying past choices, grieving missed opportunities, and feeling as though their future has been stolen. But Psalm 90:12 teaches that God can redeem time. Redemption does not erase the past, but it transforms the present.

Your days in prison can be wasted through anger, idleness, bitterness, victimhood, depression, or hopelessness. Or they can be numbered — intentionally lived, spiritually invested, and eternally fruitful. God can use your confinement as a school of wisdom if you surrender your time to Him.

You can grow in ways you never imagined. You can develop discipline, character, patience, humility, and perseverance. You can study Scripture deeply, pray consistently, disciple others, write letters, encourage cellmates, and shine Christ’s light in a dark environment.

Numbering your days means refusing to coast spiritually. Prison routines can numb the soul. You wake up, eat, work, return to your unit, repeat. Without vigilance, days become wasted. A heart of wisdom interrupts this pattern. It asks: “How can I honor God today? Who can I bless today? What sin must I repent of today? What truth can I meditate on today?” These questions transform ordinary days into spiritually meaningful days.

Prison can also tempt individuals to believe their life is on pause — as though real living begins after release. But that is a lie. Your life is happening right now. Tomorrow is not promised outside these walls. Moses does not say, “Teach us to number our days after we get our freedom back.” He says, “Teach us to number our days” — right where we are. This means God expects you to seek wisdom today, honor Him today, serve Him today, and obey Him today.

A heart of wisdom helps you navigate prison relationships as well. Conflicts, misunderstandings, and tensions are common. Wisdom teaches you when to speak, when to remain silent, when to walk away, and when to pursue reconciliation. Wisdom teaches you to avoid dangerous associations, reject foolish influences, and choose godly friendships. Wisdom helps you set boundaries, stay out of trouble, and maintain your integrity.

Numbering your days also shapes your spiritual habits. A wise prisoner learns to guard his heart and mind. He avoids conversations that stir up anger. He protects himself from gossip, foolish jokes, and destructive attitudes. He invests in Scripture reading, journaling, prayer, and meditation. He seeks opportunities to worship with other believers, join Bible studies, and encourage struggling inmates.

A heart of wisdom changes how you view suffering. Many prisoners experience deep pain — family struggles, legal setbacks, loneliness, sickness, financial hardship, and emotional wounds. But wisdom teaches you to see suffering through the lens of eternity. It reminds you that God is using trials to purify your faith, strengthen your perseverance, and draw you closer to Him. Suffering becomes a teacher, not a prison.

Numbering your days also means preparing for eternity. Prison walls may surround you, but they cannot limit your relationship with God. They cannot prevent you from building treasures in heaven. They cannot stop you from growing spiritually. They cannot keep you from fulfilling God’s purpose for your life. Every day behind bars is a day to walk with God, learn from Him, and prepare your soul for your final home.

Final Thought

Psalm 90:12 is not merely a verse — it is an invitation. An invitation to wake up spiritually. An invitation to see life clearly. An invitation to live purposefully. An invitation to seek wisdom. An invitation to walk with God intentionally. Moses’ prayer stands as a timeless call for every believer, especially those in prison, to evaluate their life in the light of eternity.

Life is a vapor. Days are limited. Opportunities are fleeting. But God is eternal, unchanging, faithful, and present. He stands above time and yet enters time to meet us where we are. He calls us to number our days not because He wants us to live in fear, but because He wants us to live with wisdom, purpose, and joy.

A life of wisdom is not a life of perfection. It is a life of direction — a direction toward God. It is a life shaped by repentance, humility, prayer, obedience, and surrender. It is a life that seeks God first. It is a life that treasures eternity more than temporary comfort. It is a life that invests in what matters — the glory of God and the souls of people.

For the prisoner, Psalm 90:12 offers profound hope. It reminds you that your life is not defined by your sentence, your mistakes, your past, or your environment. Your life is defined by your relationship with God and the wisdom He forms within you. You can live wisely in prison. You can grow spiritually. You can walk closely with God. You can redeem your days. You can influence others for Christ. You can leave behind a legacy of faith, courage, and transformation.

You may feel like your life has been shortened, wasted, or interrupted. But God specializes in restoring what sin has stolen. He redeems years eaten by locusts (Joel 2:25). He brings beauty from ashes (Isaiah 61:3). He restores the brokenhearted (Psalm 147:3). He gives purpose to suffering and hope to the hopeless. Your days are not wasted if they are surrendered to Him.

A wise life is a life lived intentionally. It is a life that wakes up each morning and says, “Lord, this day belongs to You.” It is a life that ends each night saying, “Lord, thank You for Your faithfulness.” It is a life that sees beyond the walls of a prison yard and into the eternal kingdom of God.

In the end, numbering your days is not about fear of dying but about learning how to live. Truly live. Live with vision. Live with faith. Live with purpose. Live with gratitude. Live with holiness. Live with love. Live with wisdom. Live in a way that brings glory to the God who has given you another day.

Every sunrise is a sermon from God saying, “I am not finished with you.” Every breath is evidence of His mercy. Every day is an opportunity to learn, grow, repent, and pursue Him. Psalm 90:12 is not a warning — it is a gift. It is God’s way of calling you to live fully, faithfully, and wisely.

So today, let this be your prayer: “Lord, teach me to number my days. Teach me to recognize the value of time. Teach me to walk wisely. Teach me to grow spiritually. Teach me to treasure each day. Teach me to honor You with my life.” If you pray this sincerely, God will answer — and He will give you a heart of wisdom that no prison can take from you.

Reflection Questions

1. What does the brevity of life teach you about the importance of living wisely today?

2. What areas of your life need to be surrendered to God so He can teach you wisdom?

3. How has God used your time in prison to shape your understanding of Psalm 90:12?

4. What habits or attitudes are preventing you from numbering your days with purpose?

5. How can you invest your time more intentionally in spiritual growth?

6. In what ways can you bless others in your unit, dorm, or cell today?

7. What does a “heart of wisdom” look like in your daily routine behind bars?

   
   

8. Closing Prayer for Prisoners

Heavenly Father,
We come before You with humble hearts, acknowledging our need for Your wisdom and guidance. Teach us to number our days, Lord.

Help us understand the value of each moment You give us, even in a place where time seems to stand still. Open our eyes to see Your purpose in every circumstance.

Shape our hearts, mold our spirits, and give us the wisdom we need to live faithfully behind these walls.

Father, we lift up every man and woman in prison today. Strengthen them. Comfort them. Draw near to them in their loneliness, their struggles, and their pain.

Redeem their days. Restore what sin, regret, and brokenness have taken. Teach them to trust You deeply and to walk with You closely.

Fill them with hope that surpasses bars, fences, and razor wire.

Let Your presence be felt in every cell. Let Your peace guard every heart. Let Your Word guide every decision.

Give prisoners the courage to forgive, the strength to endure, the humility to repent, and the faith to persevere. Turn their hearts toward wisdom.

Empower them to live intentionally, honor You daily, and shine Your light in a place filled with darkness.

Thank You, Lord, for never abandoning Your children — not in the wilderness and not in prison. Teach us, lead us, and transform us. In Jesus’ mighty name we pray.
Amen.

From: Fight the Good Fight of Faith / Life Journal: by Gregg Harris