A Prayer for New Beginnings - Your Daily Prayer - February 11

A Prayer for New Beginnings 
By Amanda Idleman 

“Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” - Isaiah 43:19

When one season comes to a close, and we see new doors open for our lives, we need space to process grief while simultaneously embracing the joy that comes when we start something new. We often don’t feel things in a vacuum. Each new experience offers a mixture of positive and negative feelings, and that's okay.

One comfort we can rely on when we step into something new is the peace that comes from the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives. When we connect to God, hear his voice and confidently follow his lead there is a restfulness that permeates our souls. If God is for us who can be against us (Romans 8:31)? 

Recently, we experienced the joy and uncertainty of making decisions about a new era in our home. Our youngest two kids are preparing to enter school in the next few years. Since they joined our family, we have prayed over what God’s best would be for them. We have committed to homeschooling our three older kids, but the addition of the younger two has come with a different set of considerations and needs. Personally, I have agonized over what would be best as we approach a new season in our home. 

Right when I thought I knew what was best for my kids, based on what felt safe, known, and familiar, God, through the gracious gift of his Holy Spirit, confirmed that he had a different plan for our young kids. What I love about God’s leading is that while we may still feel grieved, anxious, or unsure about the details, we can still step forward with confidence because we know God is making our paths straight. We can trust his gentle leading. What’s even more true is that while I may not be a perfect Mom for my kids, God is a perfect God for them. He loves them with an unrelenting love that I can trust. 

As you embrace the next right step in your life, ask God and his guiding presence to go before you! I’ve experienced some scary ‘new beginnings’ in my life, as I am sure you have too, but as long as the Lord was with me on the journey, I have only seen God do exceedingly above and beyond all I could think or imagine. Even the hardest, most broken places in which we have cried out for him to do something new! We have seen God do the impossible, and our lives have been transformed. May you taste and see the goodness of God in this new beginning. 

Let’s Pray 

Father, I ask that you go before me in this new season. That your Holy Spirit would guide me and give me rest when I wrestle with my own doubts, grief, and fear. Would you do more than we could ever do on our own! Be the faithful miracle-working God that we read about in your Word. Show up on our behalf and make our path straight. We thank you for a new beginning, new blessings, and new joy. Your grace is sufficient to meet all our needs. Amen. 

Photo credit: ©GettyImages/kieferpix

Amanda Idleman is a writer whose passion is encouraging others to live joyfully. She writes devotions for Your Nightly Prayer, Crosswalk Couples Devotional, Your Daily Prayer, and more. She has work published with Her View from Home, on the MOPS Blog, and is a regular contributor for Crosswalk.com, Biblestudytools.com, and Christianity.com. She has most recently published a devotional, Comfort: A 30 Day Devotional Exploring God's Heart of Love for Mommas, alongside her husband’s companion devotional, Shepherd. You can find out more about Amanda on her Facebook Page or follow her on Instagram.

Related Resource: When Life Unravels: Biblical Strategies for Hard Seasons

Few challenges stretch a parent’s faith and emotional reserves more than life’s unexpected curveball seasons—the plot twists that leave you wondering, “God, what are you doing?” How do you remain anchored in truth when the bottom drops out?

This week on Christian Parent/Crazy World, Catherine welcomes back her very first guest and trusted friend, Dr. Erin Barry, to help parents not only survive, but find hope and stability in life’s most turbulent moments. Dr. Barry is a clinical Christian counselor, author, homeschool expert, and co-founder of inseparableLives.com. Her biblically grounded wisdom comes from over 30 years of walking families through the storms of life.

In this transparent and practical episode, Catherine gets real about her own season of loss, uncertainty, and a series of shocking life upheavals—from parenting a prodigal, to family moves, to sudden job loss. Using these stories as a backdrop, Dr. Barry unpacks essential biblical strategies for clinging to faith and finding stability when life feels out of control. If this episode helps you be a more thoughtful parent, be sure to follow Christian Parent, Crazy World on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode!