Lord, I thank you for a new year and the fresh beginnings it holds. Yet I recognize that the pain my family and I suffered at the end of December didn’t fade away on New Year’s Eve. In this broken world my loved ones and I will experience seasons when we feel lonely.
Overwhelmed.
Fatigued.
Hopeless.
Anxious.
Depressed.
Cynical.
Disappointed.
Ashamed.
Bitter.
Struggles like financial uncertainty, broken relationships, conflict or distance in marriage, health issues, parenting stress, or frustrations at work still feel heavy and have me dragging my feet into 2019. Will my troubles and worry really get better in the months ahead?
Help me to trust that no matter what lingering pain my family or I bring into this new year, you go with us too. You’re our Father who knows and loves us completely. We know you as our God who promises to work for our good in all things because we love you and are called according to your purpose. (Romans 8:28) You didn’t say all things will feel good all the time, but you did say you will use the good, the bad, and the ordinary for our good in every way. Today I choose to believe you’ll bring amazing and loving outcomes from whatever we must face right now.
Knit the promises of your Word deep into my heart. Fill me with confidence in knowing you’ll never leave us or forsake us. (Hebrews 13:5) Let me trust you with the big picture of our lives since you “created all things and hold all things together.” (Colossians 1:16-17) Keep my marriage and children securely in your hands as the One who joined us together and created our family. (Ephesians 5:31, 3:15)
Lord, as I move forward with joy in you and the hope of blessings you will accomplish, fix my eyes on you. This year, continue to write my faith story as the “perfecter of our faith.” (Hebrews 12:2) I commit myself and our family to serve you, obey you in all things, and trust you through the pain as our Everything.
Amen.
As for me, I call to God,
and the Lord saves me.
Evening, morning and noon
I cry out in distress,
and he hears my voice.
He rescues me unharmed
from the battle waged against me,
even though many oppose me.
Cast your cares on the Lord
and he will sustain you;
he will never let the righteous be shaken.
(Psalm 55:16-18, 22)
Growing Through Prayer – When Pain Follows You into the New Year
Jennifer… I read your “Growing Through Prayer” articles. I prayed myself for our marriage to keep growing strong and give my husband lift up to Lord like solider.
Last night, I slept and woke up at 11:30 pm, I dream about your website also I feel my stomach, tell me roll over, over about your name. My left ring finger was feeling swollen and bother me funny feeling that I woke up. I quicker to know what it mean. It is about marriage. I read this articles and prayed. Because my husband is not strong close to Jesus and his prayer is very short time like less 5 minutes. My goal is his prayer more longer to beat stronghold spirit. I really want to know Jesus more. I love Holy Spirit to move me to know Him more. And His love inspire me like fatty love.