Lamentations 3:22-23 (NLT) 22 The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. 23 Great is his faithfulness; His mercies begin afresh each morning.

Welcome to day three of our 21 days of prayer and fasting. Today, we will focus on the gift of new beginnings. Each day is a precious gift from God, filled with fresh opportunities and His grace.

In our Christian walk, sometimes we lose our connection with God, whether through our own sins or simply by being distracted by everyday life. This can cause negative feelings like anxiety and darkness. It’s important to spend quality time with God to avoid these feelings. We can learn from Jesus Christ, who often wanted privacy to connect with His Father. We should make similar efforts to prioritise our relationship with God, even if it means reducing our online activities or watching less TV.

You see, our God is always kind and forgiving. Today is a new beginning, no matter what happened yesterday. We can always count on God's mercy, even if we make mistakes. Every morning is a chance to start fresh.

God’s faithfulness is a recurring theme in the Bible. His consistency, dependability, and steadfastness in His promises offer great comfort. It assures us we can trust Him to be true to His word and actions. God’s unwavering faithfulness is a source of hope and stability in a world of uncertainty.

Today, I encourage you to adjust your daily routine to make time for God. By dedicating time to Him, we can displace negative emotions with His love, joy, and peace. Remember, prioritising God is an investment in ourselves.

A PRAYER OF GRATITUDE:

Heavenly Father, on this day of new beginnings, I come before You with a heart full of gratitude for Your unceasing mercies and faithfulness. Forgive me, Lord, for the times I have allowed the distractions of life to create a distance between us. I acknowledge those moments when I turned my back on You, either deliberately through sin or gradually through neglect.

Today, I ask for Your divine empowerment to make a change. Holy Spirit, stir within me a deep desire to offer the best part of my day to the Lord. Please help me to understand the importance of this sacred time and to make it a non-negotiable priority in my life.

Lord Jesus, as You took time with the Father, grant me the willingness to make similar sacrifices. Whether it means waking up earlier, setting aside leisure activities, or reducing my time on digital devices, let my heart be drawn to You above all else.

I thank You, Lord, for this opportunity to start anew, rekindle my relationship with You, and place it above every other priority. In Jesus' precious name, Amen.

CLOSING THOUGHT:

Today, as we welcome a new beginning, let's remember the powerful change God's presence brings to our lives. By prioritising Him, we welcome a world filled with His divine love, peace, and joy beyond our comprehension. Let this day mark the start of a renewed dedication to closely follow God, letting His light lead us in every part of our journey.

ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURES FOR REFLECTION:

Matthew 28:20 (NLT) 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.

Psalm 143:8 (NLT) 8 Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting you. Show me where to walk, for I give myself to you.

Isaiah 43:19 (NLT) 19 For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.

May these Bible verses inspire us to embrace new beginnings with confidence and hope.