prayer for new beginnings
Written by Sophia Bricker
Bible reading:
“You were taught to put off the old self, which is being corrupted by deceitful desires regarding your former way of life, and to be renewed in the attitude of your heart, to put on the new self, created to resemble God in true righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4:22-24, NIV).
Listen or read below:
Mr. Biderman, the Grinch-like landlord of the Harlem brownstone in Karina Jan Glaser’s “Vanderberker on 141st Street,” is more complex than the Vanderberker children first assume. Tragedy lurks behind the unstable surface of his personality. Towards the end of the book, when this former enemy is welcomed into the family clan during a party, the reader is presented with a picture of the pain and joy of a man stepping out of his comfort zone and becoming surrounded by community, making a new start.
Most new lives are like this. It involves setting aside or letting go of something to make way for something new. To Mr. Biderman, this seemed like putting aside his resentment and forgiving the Vanderberkers. Moving forward also required stepping into uncomfortable situations, such as attending a party with many people in attendance. Having spent so much time in isolation, he became anxious when large groups of people gathered, and could barely leave his apartment. And although he doubted his ability to break out of his grief-induced seclusion, Van Derbyker’s children reminded him that his courageous first step was “the first of many” (Clarion Books, 2017, p. 280).
The Bible also shows us that our new life is a mixture of pain and joy. Our salvation was obtained through the cross of Jesus. We praise the Lord’s extraordinary grace, but it was never free. Salvation came at the cost of Christ’s life. Each time we partake in Holy Communion, we are reminded of how Christ’s body and blood were given for us (Luke 22:19-20, 1 Corinthians 11:26). Our life was born through his death.
And, as the Apostle Paul reminds us, putting on this new self involves intentionally setting aside old ways to make room for new ones. We must die to ourselves and to the previous attitudes and desires that shaped our lives (see Luke 9:23). Breaking up like that is painful. But tearing is necessary in order for us to put on a new nature and live as the people God intended us to be – righteous and holy imitators of the Lord.
We are reborn only once. When we believe in the death and resurrection of Jesus, we become a new creation. We are already alive in Christ and dead to sin (Galatians 2:20). But the act of living within that identity is an ongoing choice, like taking off an old jacket and putting on a new one. This is why Paul exhorted the believers in Ephesus to “live your lives according to the standards that God set for you when he called you” (Ephesians 4:1, GNT). We may have to choose to walk according to the spiritual reality of our condition and “count” or “count” ourselves as dead to sin (Romans 6:11).
Today we make this choice, as uncomfortable as it may be, just as Mr. Biderman is trying to remain calm in a house full of people. You may even find that developing your new self requires sacrifice. But never forget that our salvation is only possible through the sacrificial death and resurrection of Christ. In God we can do all things. It includes walking the path God has laid out for us by the power of his Spirit.
Let’s pray:
Lord, help me to put on the new me every day and to put aside old sinful ways, including patterns of thinking and acting contrary to Your will. I am no longer a slave to sin, but there are days when people do not recognize this truth based on my actions and choices. It’s all too easy to fall back into old ways. So today and every day, give me the strength to walk as a free child of God. Because that’s what You made me to be. You rescued me and washed me clean. Then I can become holy and righteous like you.
It’s hard to intentionally step into this new beginning, God. Thank you for walking beside me and for walking in front of me. My future path is only possible because You did the difficult thing of sending Your only begotten Son into the world to die in my place. I want to follow you without fear, even if new beginnings come with difficulties. Because you are the God of new beginnings, and you bring such immense joy that my pain seems minimal in comparison.
I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.
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Photo credit: ©Pexels/Akil Mazumder
Sophia Bricker is a writer. Her mission is to help people grow in their relationship with Jesus through thoughtful articles, devotions, and stories. She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Christian Ministry, which included extensive study in the Bible and theology, as well as a master’s degree in creative writing. You can read her thoughts on literature and faith below. cross, pen, and page Visit Substack or Disciple-based Sites cultivatewhere she writes with her sister.
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As we close this year, we would like to invite you to this meaningful spiritual practice. It’s about looking back on the year through the lens of Psalm 107 and “identifying the traces of God’s faithfulness.” In this episode, we look at four stories of salvation found in Psalm 107. Each represents a way God saves, restores, and redirects His people. Whether you felt lost, trapped, hurt, self-destructive, or overwhelmed. Dear Storm, I encourage you to reflect on how God met you in your weakness and brought you salvation. This episode is a show that brings Bible reading to life and helps you understand even the most difficult parts of the Bible. If this episode helped you know and love God more, be sure to subscribe to the How to Study the Bible podcast on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode.
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