A Prayer for God's Guidance as We Travel New Paths - Your Daily Prayer - June 16
A Prayer for God’s Guidance as We Travel New Paths
By Laura Bailey
Bible Reading:
“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.”’ Numbers 6:24-26 NIV
Listen or Read Below:
Recently, a friend shared with me that she had an opportunity for a career change. I immediately became excited, as she’d been struggling in her job for a while, and exclaimed, “Awesome! You are going to take it, right?”
“I don’t know. You know I don’t like change. What if I go there, and it isn’t any better?” She hesitantly responded. “Hold on, you'd rather stay in a situation you know isn’t good, because you can’t guarantee the outcome of this other role? I said with an exasperated sigh. “I just struggle with the unknowns. I may be miserable, but at least it’s what I know. It terrifies me to change to something new and uncertain,” she confided.
While I understood my friend’s hesitation, I couldn’t relate. I am on the opposite side; I struggle to stay put. I invite, embrace, and look to change things up. The unknowns and uncertainty of life thrill me, while the routine and mundane of daily life exhaust me. What about you? How do you feel about change?
Most people ( like my friend and I) fall into two camps: those who welcome change and those who wish things to stay the same. Rarely do I speak to someone who has mixed emotions on the topic, but the reality is that consistency and change are needed in our lives. And while we may lean more heavily into the status quo or shake things up, we must learn to embrace change, as it is inevitable, necessary, and overwhelmingly beneficial.
Most people are familiar with the verses in Numbers 6:24-26, which are known by most as “the blessing.” The Lord tells Moses how to bless Aaron and the Israelite nation. Before we look at the blessing in detail, let’s take a minute to think about the current circumstances of the Israelites. The Israelites had been living in Mt. Sinai for almost a year, and were about to enter the wilderness, hoping to arrive in the promised land. This blessing was meant to encourage them as they embarked on their journey.
Each of the blessings starts with the Lord, reminding the people that the Lord is the giver and sustainer of this blessing. It is the Lord who keeps protective watch over His children, and He is the one who is sovereign over the blessing. Next, we see that the Lord blesses the Israelites with His presence and desires to grant them peace. I am sure many Israelites were anxious to start the journey into the wilderness; they didn’t know what they would experience, and there was no weather app or digital map to guide their path. They had to trust that the Lord would care for them and get them safely to the Promised Land.
God wasn’t surprised at the Israelites' anxiety, fear, or trepidation about leaving what they knew to enter the unknown. Yet, He desired that they trust Him. While meant specifically for the Israelites, this blessing is also a promise for those in Christ today. As we walk through new paths, we acknowledge that it is scary, but we can trust in God, who is always with us and gives us grace and peace along the journey.
Let’s Pray:
Heavenly Father, we are so grateful that Your presence never leaves us or forsakes us. We pray for those who are embarking on a new path, whether it's a change of career, an addition to the family, a new school, or simply a change of scenery. May you help us to feel a sense of peace and calm. Lord, we know that Your purpose and Your plans always prevail. May we trust that You are working all things for our good and Your glory. Heavenly Father, when we are tempted to allow anxious thoughts to drive us to doubt and despair, may we remember the words of the blessing in Numbers 6:24-26. May you keep us safe, may we feel your presence, and may we experience the peace and grace that only You can provide. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Photo credit: ©Getty Images/fotogestoeber.de
She lives in Upstate South Carolina with her husband and three young girls, where she serves as director of women's ministries at her church. Her passion is teaching the Bible to women, equipping them to live with an eternal perspective. Invite Laura to speak at your next event or learn more: www.LauraRBailey.com Are you tired of being spiritually weary? You've come to the right place! Join us for a time of prayer, reflection and meditation. Leave the baggage of your day behind you and come away refreshed, renewed, and reconnected to God. Who is the kind of person who will never be shaken? Find out in today's 10-minute devotion as we explore Psalm 15. If you like what you hear, subscribe to Praying Christian Women on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode! Now that you've prayed, are you in need of someone to pray for YOU? Click the button below Praying through Psalm 15: A Prayer to the One Who Will Never Be Shaken
