Prayer For Acceptance Of Change
Dear Lord Jesus, I don't like change. I like newness, excitement and adventure; but, when it's all said and done, I love to come home to the predictable and manageableto my favorite chair and comfortable routines. So I need fresh grace to accept change, because there's so much change going on everywhere I look.
Another freshly planted For Sale sign confirms old friends are moving away. A favorite tree, whose leaves gave the relief of shade and a vibrant tapestry of fall color, is taken down by a storm. The restaurant which served great food, rich conversation, and the ambiance of perpetual welcome had to close. I don't like it, Jesus. Job changes, health changes, relationship changes, season changes; change is disruptive. Precious things just don't become vintage things overnight.
How thankful we are that there's one part of our lives that will never change, and that's you, Lord Jesus. You are the same yesterday, today, and forever. That certainly doesn't make you predictable, and even less so manageable. But it does mean that we can trust you without any reservations whatsoever. In fact, it's only in knowing you that change is put into perspective.
The one change we should welcome, like a best friend, is our need is to become more like you, Jesus; and that process is the most disruptive and painful change we will ever go through. Yet with the knowledge that one Day we'll be as lovely and as loving as you, we gladly surrender to the work of the gospel in our lives. Grace frees us to pray, Lord, may it hurt so good, if growth will reveal your beauty and glory in my life.
Likewise, Jesus, the better we know you, the more we come alive to your promise to make all things new. Change has no sovereignty; only you are Lord. Nothing is random in this world. Nothing catches you off guard. The scary becomes the sacred when we're wearing the lens of the gospel.
Jesus, help each of us see and accept changes as part of a far better story than we could ever hope to write. You are making all things new, right nowright before our very eyes, if we have eyes to see and a heart to accept it. Because of your life, death, and resurrection, we're heading towards a place, family, and eternity in which it will all make sense and everything will be the way it's supposed to be. Hasten that magnificent Day!
Until then, Jesus, may we love you with abandon, serve you without question, and order our lives after your delights. So very Amen we pray, in your merciful and matchless name.
Dear Lord Jesus, I really don't like change. I like newness, excitement and adventure; but when it's all said and done, I crave the predictable, normal, and safe. Grant me grace to accept change, because there's so much change going on everywhere I look. Change is disruptive. Things don't become precious or vintage overnight.
Our kids get older and our bodies get weaker. Adjusting to a new voice and heart in our pulpit, after a pastor-friend takes a different call. Unexpected job changes and beautiful spacious farmland becoming the next densely populated subdivision. Styles change, worship changes, weather changes, skyline changes
How thankful we are that there's One part of our lives that will never change, and that's you, Lord Jesus. You are the same yesterday, today, and forever. That certainly doesn't make you predictable, and even less so manageable; but it does mean that we can always count on you.
The most fundamental change we need is to become like you, Jesus, and that process is the most disruptive and painful change we will ever go through. Yet with the knowledge that one Day we'll be as lovely and as loving as you, we gladly surrender to the work of the gospel in our lives.
Likewise, Jesus, the better we know you, the more we come alive to your promise to make all things new. Change has no sovereignty. Only you are Lord. Nothing is random in this world. Nothing catches you off guard. The scary becomes the sacred when we're wearing the lens of the gospel.
Jesus, help each of us see and accept changes as part of a far better story than we could ever hope to write. Because of your life, death, and resurrection, we're heading towards a place, family, and eternity in which it will all make sense, and everything will perpetually be the way it's supposed to be. Hasten that magnificent Day!
Until then, Jesus, may we love you with abandon, serve you without question, and order our lives after your eternal passions. So very Amen we pray, in your merciful and matchless name.
Just when I thought I had it all figured out, Lord,
things change again.
When will I be able to rest
in the comfort of knowing what comes next?
You, who transcend all time,
who created the stars and set them in place,
you, who are ageless yet known in every age,
grant me the grace to accept
the changes that are happening.
Empty my heart of anxiety,
and fill it instead with wonder and awe.
Release me from the chains of complacency,
and bind me to your ever-moving Spirit.
When the things I believed to be permanent and stable
are left by the way side,
enfold me in your undying love
that I may remember in whom all things are bound.
When fear of something new paralyzes me,
and grief cripples me with anger
over the loss of what had been,
send your angels to give me a gentle push
over that frightening edge into the unknown,
so that I may learn to trust in you.
For you alone are eternal.
You alone are enduring.
You alone are the everlasting Lord.
And in you alone will this restless world find peace.
Amen.
O God and Heavenly Father,
Grant to us the serenity of mind to accept that which cannot be changed; courage to change that which can be changed, and wisdom to know the one from the other, through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
God grant me the serenity
To accept the things I cannot change;
Courage to change the things I can;
And wisdom to know the difference.
Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world
As it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make all things right
If I surrender to His Will;
So that I may be reasonably happy in this life
And supremely happy with Him
Forever and ever in the next.
Amen.
God grant me the serenity
To accept the things I cannot change;
Courage to change the things I can;
And wisdom to know the difference.
Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world
As it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make all things right
If I surrender to His Will;
So that I may be reasonably happy in this life
And supremely happy with Him
Forever and ever in the next.
God, give us grace to accept with serenity
the things that cannot be changed
Courage to change the things
which should be changed, and the Wisdom to distinguish the one from the other.
Living one day at a time,
Enjoying one moment at a time,
Accepting hardship as a pathway to peace,
Taking, as Jesus did,
This sinful world as it is,
Not as I would have it,
Trusting that You will make all things right,
If I surrender to Your will,
So that I may be reasonably happy in this life,
And supremely happy with You forever in the next. Amen
Thank You, Jesus, for bringing me thus far I now understand why I had to go through this and to You I am eternally grateful. In Jesus mighty name I pray, Amen and Amen!