New Life in Hidden Places - Your Nightly Prayer - April 7th

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New Life in Hidden Places
Your Nightly Prayer
by Jennifer Slattery, host of the Faith Over Fear Podcast

TONIGHT’S SCRIPTURE

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!" 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)

SOMETHING TO PONDER

Sometimes, when I lie in bed at night, my mind starts replaying all my mistakes from the day. In particularly hard seasons, my thoughts drift from one past regret to another until I’m buried in shame and insecurity. But as soon as I orient my heart to Jesus, pause to sense His presence, and listen for His voice, He reminds me of the price He paid to make me new. 

By His grace, He’s absolved me of every sin and failing and is empowering me, in each moment, to live as His deeply loved and cherished child. I experience increased peace when I remember both aspects of this reality. I am, present tense, a new creation. I’m no longer the selfish, easily offended, and emotionally immature woman who wounded the people closest to me, damaged relationships, and forfeited opportunities through impulsive reactions. That person was crucified with Christ when I entrusted my life to Him. 

Yet, I’m still in a process of transformation. This means, by the work of God’s Spirit within me, I will be even more gracious, loving, and patient tomorrow than I am today. I’m not stuck in today’s struggle. I’m not eternally bound to the faulty thinking and deception that fuel my unhelpful reactions and responses. I am presently developing the mind of Christ, the heart of Christ, and the will of Christ. This will necessarily lead me to healthier relationships, greater peace, and the thriving life He promised. 

Resting in His presence, in that place of complete acceptance, I recall His invitation in Matthew 11:28-30, which states, 

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

No matter where I’m at—physically, mentally, or spiritually—He encourages me to draw closer and to find in Him the rest my soul craves. He teaches me, gently and humbly, how to experience the rest He won for me on Calvary. And He never places additional burdens on my shoulders. Instead, He lifts those that are causing my back to bow and gives me the support I need to grow strong and vibrant.  

In Him, I’m like a tender plant emerging in spring, reaching toward the sun and absorbing its goodness. I, too, am reaching for the Son, receiving all the spiritual blessings He’s already provided. Strength in place of weakness. Wisdom instead of deception, patience instead of irritability, and the ability to show gentleness in situations that once caused me to lash out. 

As I will tend to the flowers that will soon color my yard, the Lord tends to my soul. When I’m discouraged, He speaks words of comfort that assure me that I’m secure in Him. When I’m afraid, He whispers reminders of His power and sovereignty into my soul. When my mind tries to replay all my failings, He gives me the strength to take my thoughts captive and make them obedient to truth.

This is the truth that comforts my soul: I belong to and am lovingly led by the One who knows my every thought and concern, who has good plans for me, and who will finish the work He began in me when I first yielded my soul to Him.

YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER

Father,
I am so grateful for Your grace. When all I can see are my failures and sins, remind me of my new life in Your Son. And each time I see green buds bursting from tree branches and cheerful spring flowers dancing in the gentle breeze You provide, remind me of Your tender and faithful work in my soul. Help me to see myself as You see me. I’m not a failure, reject, or problem someone needs to solve or avoid. I am your beloved and growing child who is, and always will be, led by You. In Christ, I’m a new creation, in the process of transformation, and destined for glory.
In Jesus’ name I pray,
Amen

THREE THINGS TO PONDER

1. My sins and mistakes don’t make me a bad person. They simply reveal my need for grace. 
2. Scripture promises me “grace upon grace”, meaning, more than I could ever need or exhaust. This means I can never out-sin God’s grace. 
3. The Lord is working in my life and will continue to do so until I stand before Him, complete—His radiant and holy child.

Reflect on tonight’s prayer and share how God met you there. Join the Your Nightly Prayer discussion on the Crosswalk Forum.

  Photo Credit: ©Unsplash/Andreas Dress

Jennifer Slattery is a writer and speaker who co-hosts the Faith Over Fear podcast and, along with a team of 6, the Your Daily Bible Verse podcast. She’s addressed women’s groups, Bible studies, and taught at writers conferences across the nation. She’s the author of Building a Family and numerous other titles and maintains a devotional blog at JenniferSlatteryLivesOutLoud.com.

She’s passionate about helping people experience Christ’s freedom in all areas of their lives. Visit her online to learn more about her speaking or to book her for your next women’s event, and sign up for her free quarterly newsletter HERE and make sure to connect with her on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and GodTube.

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