Prayers All

By Melissa McLaughlin

Golden rays of afternoon sun fell on the trees, lighting up the fall foliage. The woodlands sported a dazzling array of vivid red, burnt orange, and bright yellow. Crumpled leaves crunched under our feet as we walked on the park trail. The earthy scent of fall surrounded us.

A gentle breeze tossed the leaves, and they twirled on the branches in a sprightly jig. With a gusty whoosh, the leaves cascaded down. Waves of nature’s colorful confetti.

With one divine breath, the earth responded. I stood in awe as creation leaped at God’s call.

I wondered, could we do the same?

Prayers for a New Season

With a new season upon us, we are in a perfect position to pray and respond to God’s call in our lives.

May we reflect on the glorious blessings from the past, releasing any grip on what is behind. Yet, joyfully look ahead to God’s path for the future.

Maybe you are entering a new season of life with family, work, or church. Perhaps you are facing a health or financial challenge, which requires a new direction. Or maybe you’d like to press on to seek the Lord with greater diligence.

Whatever may be ahead, let’s commit it all to the Lord in prayer.

Here are 3 prayers for a new season:

1.Prayer of thanksgiving for past blessings.

Heavenly Father, thank you for every good gift you have poured out on my life. Like the leaves that drop in autumn, so you drop immeasurable mercies on me each day. Thank you for the health and strength you provided that brought me through to this very moment. I’m grateful for the blessings of food, water, shelter, family, church, and the ability to work. Day after day, you protect me, forgive me, love me, and draw me closer to Christ—the greatest gift ever. As this new season begins, Holy Spirit, give me a heart of overflowing gratitude. Help me look back and remember the great things you have done, so I can look ahead with hope. All that I am and all that I have is only through your unending grace. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

2.Prayer for letting go of the past and for direction in the future.

Gracious God, I praise you for your mercy and grace. Thank you, Jesus, for shedding your holy blood on Calvary’s cross to pay for my sins, to cleanse me and adopt me into your family forever. In the same way the leaves release their grip, to be used for your glory and to nourish the seeds that come in the next season, so help me release my grip on past hurts, disappointments, or sins. In Christ, I am a new creation. Holy Spirit, blow through me like a mighty wind. Sweep away bad habits or wrong thought patterns. Fan the flames of faith in my heart. Swing wide the doors you want me to walk through. You set the pace. You set the direction or redirection. I place my trust in you alone, Lord Jesus. In Your name. Amen.

3.Prayer to respond to God’s leading.

Merciful Savior, you are God, and you are good. Spirit of God, incline my heart toward you. Tune my ears to hear your voice as I read your Word. When you call, may I leap in jubilation like the leaves that dance in your wind. O Shepherd of my soul, prune me and shape me. Strengthen me to follow where you lead. Help me put my small hand in your everlasting arms and walk with you in childlike trust, peaceful surrender, and radiant joy. I relinquish my will to yours, for you know best. I yield my desires to you, for you are holy. I abandon myself to you, for you have abandoned yourself for me, O Savior. Whatever this new season brings, you are with me, Great Comforter and Counselor. Help me follow in the footsteps of Jesus. And leave a fragrance of His mercy wherever I go. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

What are you praying for in this new season?

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer (Romans 12:12 NIV).

 

P.S. Have you read my new award-winning book, The Whole Bible Devotional: Seeing Jesus in Every Book of the Bible? If not, I hope you’ll check it out! It comes with a free downloadable Small Group Study Guide. Makes a great book for small groups or Sunday School classes. Available at Amazon and other major retailers.

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