A Prayer for New Beginnings - Your Daily Prayer - January 4
Your Daily Prayer
Audio By Carbonatix
By Sophia Bricker, Crosswalk.com
A Prayer for New Beginnings
By Sophia Bricker
Bible Reading:
“You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4:22-24, NIV).
Listen or Read Below:
Mr. Beiderman, the Grinch-like landlord of the Harlem brownstone in The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street by Karina Yan Glaser, is more complicated than the Vanderbeeker kids initially assume. A tragedy lies behind the rocky exterior of his personality. Towards the end of the book, when this former enemy is welcomed into the family clan during a party, readers are presented with a picture of the pain and joy of a fresh start as a man steps out of his comfort zone to be surrounded by a community.
New life is often like this; it involves setting aside or letting go of something to make way for something new. For Mr. Beiderman, this looked like setting aside his resentment and forgiving the Vanderbeekers. Moving forward also required him to step into uncomfortable situations – like attending a party where many people were present. Having spent so long in isolation, large crowds made him anxious, and he had barely left his apartment. And though he doubted his ability to leave his grief-induced seclusion, the Vanderbeeker kids reminded him that his courageous first step was “[t]he first of many” (Clarion Books, 2017, p. 280).
Scripture also shows us that our new life involves a mixture of pain and joy. It was through the crucifixion of Jesus that our redemption was bought. We exalt in the extraordinary grace of our Lord, but in no way was it free. Salvation cost Christ His life. Every time we participate in communion, we remember how Christ’s body and blood were given for us (Luke 22:19-20; 1 Corinthians 11:26). Our life came through His death.
And the putting on of this new self, as the Apostle Paul reminds us, involves an intentional setting aside of old ways to make room for new ones. We must die to ourselves, to the former attitudes and desires that shaped our lives (see Luke 9:23). Such a parting is painful. Yet, the rending is necessary if we are to put on the new nature and live as the people God intended us to be: righteous and holy imitators of our Lord.
We are born again only once, made into a new creation when we place faith in Jesus’ death and resurrection. Already, we are alive in Christ and dead to sin (Galatians 2:20). However, the act of living in that identity is a continual choice, much like taking off an old jacket and putting on a fresh one. Hence, that is why Paul urged the believers in Ephesus to “live a life that measures up to the standard God set when he called you” (Ephesians 4:1, GNT). There are times when we must “count” or “reckon” ourselves dead to sin, choosing to walk according to the spiritual reality of our condition (Romans 6:11).
Today we have this choice, though it might be uncomfortable, like Mr. Beiderman trying to stay calm in a house full of people. We may even find that putting on the new self requires sacrifice. May we never forget, though, that our salvation is only possible because of Christ’s sacrificial death and resurrection. In Him, we can do all things, which includes walking in the path He has set for us by the power of His Spirit.
Let’s Pray:
Lord, help me to put on my new self daily and lay aside my old ways of sin, including patterns of thinking and behaviors that are contrary to Your will. No longer am I a slave to sin, but there are days when people would not recognize this truth based on my actions and choices. I can fall back into my old ways far too easily. So, empower me today, and every day, to walk as a free child of God, for that is what You have made me. You rescued me and washed me clean so that I could be like You: holy and righteous.
Intentionally stepping into this new beginning is difficult, O God. Thank you for walking beside me and going before me. My path ahead is only possible because You did the hard thing of sending Your one and only Son into the world to die in my place. I want to follow You unafraid, even if the new beginning comes with hardship. For You are the God of new beginnings, who gives immeasurable joy that makes my pain seem minimal in comparison.
In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
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Photo Credit: ©Pexels/Akil Mazumder
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 literature and faith at The Cross, a Pen, and a Page Substack, or visit the discipleship-based site Cultivate, where she writes with her sister.
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