A Prayer to Live Again - Your Daily Prayer - May 22
A Prayer to Live Again
By Tammy Darling
Bible Reading:
“Altogether, Adam lived a total of 930 years, and then he died.” Genesis 5:5, NIV
Listen or Read Below:
After the fall. After the sin. After the consequences were set into motion, there’s a little phrase in Genesis 5:5 that ignites hope for the rest of us.
Adam lived.
This Hebrew word for lived means “to live again.” It wasn’t over for Adam. Adam was created and lived in Eden, and then the Fall happened. But God wasn’t finished with Adam. After the fall, Adam lived again.
The fall wasn’t the end. Adam’s sin had consequences, but the choice he made didn’t ruin his life. Adam didn’t quit. His destiny wasn’t aborted. Adam’s relationship with God (and Eve) was not destroyed.
Adam lived.
And because Adam lived again after the Fall, so can we. Whatever we’re going through. Whatever we’ve done or said. Whatever has been done or said to us, it’s not the end. We can live again.
One month ago, something was done to me that I never in a million years saw coming. I’m still baffled beyond bewilderment. Thirty days later, I still feel like I’m in the spin cycle with a box of rocks.
But I’m not going to die in my why. My reality check may have bounced, but I’m not bankrupt. I will live again; I am sure of it.
That doesn’t mean it’s easy, though. When we experience loss, betrayal, slander, and a host of other hard things, it takes a while to get our bearings, to move forward. When we’ve sinned against God and maybe even hurt others, shame, condemnation, and self-hatred may be the issues we need to work through.
But the good news is that we can live again. The closing of one chapter simply means another is about to begin; every ending is a new beginning. Our story is not over. And if the story isn’t good, God’s not done yet.
When Paul was thrown into prison, he didn’t give up living. He praised God. He worshipped. He prayed. Paul continued to spread the Gospel to those around him. Paul even wrote a theological dissertation while sitting in a cold, dark, and damp jail cell. Paul lived.
How is that possible? Because, as Nehemiah said, “This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10). Scripture is clear: We can do all things through Christ who gives us strength (Philippians 4:13). That’s a promise to hold on to when life doesn’t seem worth living or at least living authentically.
Living isn’t automatic; it takes intentionality. Living requires active engagement and purposeful actions. I have a picture hanging in my home office with a partial quote from Oscar Wilde: “To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people just exist.” It’s my daily reminder to live. Not go through the motions. Not bury what’s happened without dealing with it. And most certainly, not give up. Live.
The Lord is near; Jesus is not uninvolved. “The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:18, NIV). Going to Jesus is my default now. It wasn’t always. I used to throw a pity party, to which no one else attended. I would lash out, beat myself up, or others, depending on the circumstances. But that only delayed the inevitable truth: I needed God.
Adam and Eve hid; how often do we do the same? Because as Adam and Eve discovered, they didn’t have to hide. God covered them. To live again is a gift from a gracious God who loves beyond comprehension. God enabled Adam and Eve to live again. And He does the same for us.
Let’s Pray:
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for preparing the way, for making a way for us to live again when we have sinned or have been sinned against. We are grateful for Jesus’ sacrifice that we may live, truly live. In a world of sin and pain, we have grace—that supernatural enablement to get up, move forward, and live the abundant life You came to give us (John 10:10). May we resist hiding and run into Your everlasting arms of love.
In Your Life-Giving name, Amen.
Share your reflections on today’s devotional in the Your Daily Prayer discussion on the Crosswalk Forum.
Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/torwai
Tammy Darling is the author of 1,600 published articles and three books. She writes from her home in rural Pennsylvania.
Related Resource: Getting Real with God: Prayer Without the Performance
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