Morning prayer to celebrate the first day of summer
By Lynette Kittle
Bible Reading:
“There is all the time, and there is a season of all the activities under the heavens” – Evangelion 3:1
Listen or read:
Growing up on farmland in Ohio, the first day of summer seemed to shine in the warmth and extension of the sun. My family lived in town, and we were planted and grown crops surrounded by the smell of fresh tilled dirt. The lively sound of a lawnmower at work and the smell of fresh green grass is a joy for all of us who have weathered the long, dark, cold winters.
Similarly, we loved seeing a variety of livestock and wildlife in the fields. For humans, animals, birds, trees, fields and plants, God has placed it in our hearts this season, when we drink and taste the promises of summer. Still, do you even know that summer will come back again, as all the dark, dark, pessimistic reports of global warming remaining above our heads threaten to strip us from a season that has been so lovingly made?
God is faithful
There’s no need to worry that summer won’t come as God has been in control of the seasons for years, against all odds, and despite the times. And there’s no need to doubt what he said.
As God assures us in Isaiah 55:10-11: “Just rain and snow fall from the heavens, and water the earth, and not return to it without sprouting and prospering, so that my words that go out of my mouth will also return to the sky, and produce my words that come out of my mouth to achieve it.”
God keeps his words
As Genesis 8:22 explains, God’s promises are in his words. “As long as the Earth can endure, seedlings and harvests, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night never stop.”
Just as spring offers us the promise of rebirth, the beginning of summer offers us so many promises, new growth and hope for the future. Leviticus 26:4 guarantees God’s faithfulness throughout the summer months. “I will send rain to you in that season, and the ground will lay its crops and trees for their fruits.”
Similarly, as summer approached, Jesus explained how the signs became apparent in what we saw around us. “When they leave, you can see for yourself and know that summer is near” (Luke 21:30).
God commands summer growth
As Psalm 65:9 explains, God is looking for us throughout the summer.
Lament 3:22-23 says, “For we will never fail because of the unconsumed love of the Lord, and His thoughts will never fail. They are new every morning. Your faithfulness is wonderful.”
Let’s pray:
Dear Father,
Thank you for the warmth and beauty of summer. Our hearts are grateful for this warm season you have created and for your great faithfulness. As summer begins again, we look forward to everything you can accomplish through us during this summer. Lord, open your eyes and look daily at your hands and beauty in the coming months. Help us remember your promises and remind you daily of how you are causing growth both in our hearts and in our land. We praise your name and appreciate the many ways you can watch and offer us daily, practical and spiritual ways, throughout the summer months. Through this warm season of summer and growing, look to you, worship you, and get closer as you get closer to you.
In the name of Jesus, Amen.
Photo Credit: ©GetTyimages/Choreograph
Lynette Kittle is married to four daughters. She enjoys writing about faith, marriage, parenting, relationships and life. Her writings have been published by Focus on the Family, Decision, Today’s Christian Woman, Kirkcameron.com, ungrind.org, startmarriageright.com and more. She holds a Masters degree in Communications from Regent University and is an associate producer at Soul Check TV.
Pray through Psalm 15: Prayer to those who never shake up
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