Prayers for those who need a fresh start � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �

Prayers for thosewho need a fresh start

Fresh Start Effect

When Bryony turned thirty, she was sad to still be in a sales job she’d never liked. She decided it was time to stop procrastinating and find a new career. For David, New Year’s Eve had him looking in the mirror vowing this would be the year he lost weight. And for James, it was watching another month pass without a decrease in his angry outbursts� Next month, he promised himself, he would try harder�

If you’ve ever vowed to change at the start of a new month, new year or a major birthday, you’re not alone� Researchers even have a name for it: the fresh start effect. They suggest that at calendar points like these we’re more prone to assess our lives and try putting our failures behind us to start over. Wanting to be better people, we long for a fresh start. Faith in Jesus speaks powerfully to this longing, offering a vision of what our best selves can be as “God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved” who are clothed “with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience” (Colossians 3:12). And faith calls us to leave our past selves behind (vv. 5–9). It offers this change not by decisions and vows alone, but by divine power. When we believe in Jesus, we become new people, and God’s Spirit allows us to “put on the new self” as He works in us to make us whole (v� 10; Titus 3:5)�

Salvation in Jesus is the ultimate fresh start. And it doesn’t need to wait for a special calendar date� It’s a brand-new life with God we can enjoy each day�

Sheridan Voysey

A Prayer to Surrender the New Year to God Gracious Heavenly Father, I stand at the threshold of a new year. It is a blank page with no sins, failures or mistakes; and that is exciting and terrifying. I know that as soon as I step over into a new day, I will bring my imperfections with me. But I place my life in Your hands once again at the beginning of this year. I pray that it would be a year of growth, a year of depth and a year of fruitfulness in You. Search my heart and show me any areas that need surrendering afresh. And may Your light burst through the cracks and flaws in my life to bring healing and wholeness. Amen

A Prayer to Press On Mighty God, what a blessing it is to know that You are for me, not against me! Thank You for loving me. I give my life to You afresh. I pray You would give me the grace to let go of the things in life that are holding me back. Like the Apostle Paul, I want to forget what is behind and press on towards the goals You have for my life. I let go of my guilt, my regrets, my shame, my pride, my judgemental thoughts and all bitterness. I come humbly to Your feet and lay down all I have. I am Yours and You are mine. Thank You Jesus. Amen

A Prayer to Become All that God Intends Merciful Father in heaven, may today mark the beginning of a new season in my life. May the pains and mistakes of yesterday give me wisdom and compassion to see others through Your eyes. May the regrets and sins of the past be forever nailed to the cross where Christ has carried them. May the worries and unknowns of tomorrow be in my faith-filled prayers rather than anxious fears. Today, I give You myself: spirit, soul and body. May I become all that You have destined me to be that You may be honoured and glorified in my life. Amen

5 Promises of God’s Restorative Work in Your Life

1Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits—who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion Psalm 103:2-4

2Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength� They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint�

Isaiah 40:31

3Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day� 2 Corinthians 4:16

4If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 2 Corinthians 5:17

5Everyone born of God overcomes the world� This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith�

1 John 5:4

BECAUSE OF THE Lord ’ s great love WE ARE NOT CONSUMED, FOR HIS compassions never fail.

THEY ARE NEW EVERY MORNING; GREAT IS YOUR FAITHFULNESS.

LAMENTATIONS 3:22-23