A Prayer for Deeper Roots - Your Nightly Prayer - September 6

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A Prayer for Deeper Roots

TONIGHT'S SCRIPTURE

“..so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love..”Ephesians 3:17

SOMETHING TO PONDER

September brings with it an invitation to pause. As the sun sets earlier, the evenings begin to cool off, and fall makes its entrance, it’s as if all of creation lets out a deep breath.

We made it through the summer. We fully embraced the longer days and, for some, the fuller schedules. We soaked up the sun, the rain showers, the warmer temperatures, and all that comes with a season when we see the fruit of a dormant winter and the blooms of spring. It brings a different kind of reflection, one that reminds us that the light comes after the dark. The warmth of the sun will grace our skin once again after the harsh winter months. God will be faithful, as He always has been.

This time of year reminds me of the many places in scripture that remind us we are rooted and grounded in the goodness and love of God. Not only are we rooted in them, but we were created for the changing seasons. He made seasons with us in mind. He knew what we needed to remain in Him and depend on Him. Jeremiah 17:8 reminds us all the more of what we, in Christ, were made for. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.”

We find stability in the promise that when our roots are planted deep within the heart of God, we need not fear what lies ahead. We can trust in what God has planned for us and in what He will do with what we have walked through. The same God who has walked us on the journey thus far will continue to do so and give us more reason to look to Him as the trustworthy Father He is.

Just look at the life of Jesus and the way He walked through different seasons. Some were beautiful and others, unimaginable. Yet He always maintained a posture of surrender and peace, trusting that God would accomplish what He wanted. The same goes for you and me. Whatever God has planned as we enter the second half of the year, let us do so with hearts fully surrendered to Him, trusting He will provide the peace.

Most of all, let us walk into this season with the courage not to live up to the standards of the world, but to live with the desire to please only the Lord. Because He will be the One who sustains us in all situations, obstacles, and outcomes. Let us trust God’s goodness and rest in the deep roots we have planted in HIs rich soil.\

YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER

Father, thank you for the gift of your rich soil. It is by your grace that you have allowed me to plant my roots in your solid ground. From your soil comes stability and depth, a richness and wholeness I cannot have apart from you. You have given me the ability to live in peace regardless of my circumstances. Please help me look to you for strength and direction when things feel out of control, or when I feel the pressure from the world to do more than you have asked of me. Remind me that you have equipped me for every good work, and sometimes that work is to rest where you have me. Keep me humble and patient as I look only to you and your word for guidance. I pray for clarity and boldness in this season. In Jesus’ name, amen.

THREE THINGS TO MEDITATE UPON

1. How have you seen God’s faithfulness this week?

2. How have you felt God give you stability?

3. In what ways has God challenged you to trust Him?

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

Photo Credit: KarenHBlack

Chelsey is the voice behind the Living with Less Podcast and author of the 52-week devotional More of Him, Less of Me: Living a Christ-centered Life in a Me-centered World. She writes devotions for Lifeway Women's Journey Magazine, Crosswalk.com, and iBelieve.com. She also writes Bible reading plans for the YouVersion Bible App. Chelsey lives in Ohio with her husband and two children. You can connect with her on Instagram @chelseydematteis and at her website ChelseyDeMatteis.com.

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