Categories
Psalms Devotionals

As we face a new season

As we face new seasons in our lives, it is natural, I think, to pray for God’s blessing. And that’s what David prays for here, using the prayer of blessing found in Numbers 6:24-27.

I myself am facing a new season as I will start teaching in junior high schools for the first time in 7 years. So I pray for God’s blessing on me as I do that.

But let us remember that our prayers for blessing are not to be purely self-centered. Rather, we pray for God’s blessing,

that your way may be known on earth,
your salvation among all nations. (Psalm 67:2)

Our desire is that all people will see God’s hand on us, and that they will desire that for themselves.

We pray for the day when they too will fear and praise God and know his salvation and blessing in their lives.

So as you face a new season in your life, don’t just pray for God’s blessing in your own life. Pray that through you, people may know God’s way and find his salvation in their lives.

Categories
Philippians Devotionals

A prayer for those facing a new season

Here in Japan, spring is a new season for people in more than one way. April is not only a turning of the weather, but a time when students start a new school year and people start new jobs or change jobs.

For me personally, I’m facing change as well.

After having worked at the same high school for seven years, I will start working at three junior high schools come this April. A big change to be sure.

And so as I read Philippians 1, Paul’s prayer touched my heart.

It’s a prayer I pray for myself as I head into this new season,

And for those of you who are heading into a new season of life, I pray for you as well, especially those of you facing big decisions.

And I pray this: that your love will keep on growing in knowledge and every kind of discernment, so that you may approve the things that are superior and may be pure and blameless in the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God. (Philipians 1:9-11)