A Prayer to Release the Past and Embrace the Future | Your Daily Prayer

If you’ve ever driven a car, you know the rearview mirror has a purpose—but it’s not meant to be your primary focus.

Updated Jan 06, 2026

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The devotional reminds us that the past lives in the rearview—it can inform us, but it should not define us. We can’t change what happened, but we do get to choose what we do with it. We can lament, staying trapped in regret, guilt, shame, or anger—or we can learn, allowing God to redeem our experiences and help us move forward with wisdom and grace. The goal isn’t to pretend the past didn’t happen. The goal is to release its hold on your heart so you can press on, like Paul describes, toward the life God is calling you into.

Originally published January 05, 2026.

Clarence Haynes 1200x1200 Clarence L. Haynes Jr. is a dynamic speaker, Bible teacher, and co-founder of The Bible Study Club, dedicated to helping people live with purpose and clarity. In addition to his ministry work, Clarence has spent the last 13 years as a trusted financial educator, guiding thousands of people across the country—including employees at many Fortune 500 companies—toward lasting financial wellness. His unique ability to blend practical wisdom with spiritual insight equips people to thrive in every area of life.

He is the author of The Pursuit of Purpose, which helps readers understand how God leads them into his will, and the author of The Pursuit of Victory: How To Conquer Your Greatest Challenges and Win In Your Christian Life. Clarence is also committed to helping 10,000 people learn how to study the Bible and has released his first course, Bible Study Basics, to achieve that goal. To learn more about his ministry and resources, please visit clarencehaynes.com.