{"id":3727,"date":"2017-12-29T12:15:01","date_gmt":"2017-12-29T11:15:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/?p=3727"},"modified":"2023-06-12T15:36:39","modified_gmt":"2023-06-12T13:36:39","slug":"3-prayers-for-endings-and-beginnings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/2017\/12\/29\/3-prayers-for-endings-and-beginnings\/","title":{"rendered":"3 Prayers for endings and beginnings"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Where
\nWhere do you go from here?<\/em> (photo: Irene Bom)
\n <\/p>\n

\nHere are 3 prayers for happier endings and good beginnings as we approach the end of one year and the start of another. <\/p>\n

Go with God. <\/p>\n

And if you’re looking for guidance on what to focus on in your walk with God in the coming year, here’s Paul’s advice, from his first letter to the Thessalonians:<\/p>\n

16<\/sup> Always be joyful. 17<\/sup> Never stop praying<\/strong>. 18<\/sup> Whatever happens, give thanks, because it is God\u2019s will in Christ Jesus that you do this. 19<\/sup> Don\u2019t put out the Spirit\u2019s fire. 20<\/sup> Don\u2019t despise what God has revealed. 21<\/sup> Instead, test everything. Hold on to what is good<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

1 Thessalonians 5:16-21<\/a> (God’s Word translation)<\/p>\n\n

A new story<\/h3>\n

Author of Salvation, write in us a new story.
\nErase the sins of the past and create a new narrative,
\none in which we seek Your love and justice in this world.
\nWrite a new direction for our lives,
\naway from the busy-ness
\n    and cares of the world for success and stability,
\nand instead plot us towards ways of living Your compassion,
\ncare and grace in the world.<\/p>\n

Create new opportunities for us, O God,
\nto explore and live this adventure of life in bold and daring ways,
\nin which new insights may unfold for us.
\nGrant us the fullness of life by living for others,
\nas You taught us to love our neighbour as ourselves,
\nbut most of all, may our story be about You,
\nabout Your love for us,
\nand what Your love for us calls us to do.
\nIn the name of Christ,
\nwho writes the new ending and beginning, we pray.
\nAmen.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

by Rev. Mindi, and posted on her Rev-o-lution<\/a> blog. <\/p>\n\n

God\u2019s timing<\/h3>\n

O God of all seasons and senses,
\ngrant us the sense of your timing
\nto submit gracefully and rejoice quietly
\nin the turn of the seasons.<\/p>\n

In this season of short days and long nights,
\nof grey and white and cold,
\nteach us the lessons of endings;
\nchildren growing, friends leaving, loved ones dying,
\ngrieving over,
\ngrudges over,
\nblaming over,
\nexcuses over.<\/p>\n

O God, grant us a sense of your timing.<\/p>\n

In this season of short days and long nights,
\nof grey and white and cold,
\nteach us the lessons of beginnings;
\nthat such waitings and endings may be the starting place,
\na planting of seeds which bring to birth
\n    what is ready to be born –
\nsomething right and just and different,
\na new song, a deeper relationship, a fuller love –
\nin the fullness of your time.<\/p>\n

O God, grant us the sense of your timing.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

by Ted Loder, in Guerrillas of Grace<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n

Prayer at the threshold<\/h3>\n

And so we take the ragged fragments,<\/p>\n

the patches of darkness
\nthat give shape to the light;
\nthe scraps of desires
\nunslaked or realized;
\nthe memories of spaces
\nof blessing, of pain.<\/p>\n

And so we gather the scattered pieces<\/p>\n

the hopes we carry
\nfractured or whole;
\nthe struggles of birthing
\nexhausted, elated;
\nthe places of welcome
\nthat bring healing and life.<\/p>\n

And so we lay them at the threshold, God;<\/p>\n

bid you hold them, bless them, use them;
\nask you tend them, mend them,
\ntransform them
\nto keep us warm,
\nmake us whole, and send us forth.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

by Jan L. Richardson in Through the Advent Door: Entering a Contemplative Christmas<\/a>, Posted on Prayers and Creeds<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n

Tip: World in prayer<\/strong>
\nTheir final post for 2017<\/a> invites us to pray for everyone and includes a list of every nation, so we can pray for them by name<\/em>.<\/p>\n

 
\nOther posts in the “3 Prayers” series <\/strong>
\n3 Prayers to the Sacred Trinity<\/a>
\n3 Prayers for Wayfarers<\/a>
\n3 Prayers for Refugees<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Where do you go from here? (photo: Irene Bom)   Here are 3 prayers for happier endings and good beginnings as we approach the end of one year and the start of another. Go with God. And if you’re looking for guidance on what to focus on in your walk with God in the coming … Continue reading “3 Prayers for endings and beginnings”<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[13,3,24],"tags":[105,104,103,102],"class_list":["post-3727","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-bible","category-prayer","category-tip","tag-3-prayers","tag-beginnings","tag-endings","tag-new-year"],"yoast_head":"\n3 Prayers for endings and beginnings - 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Personally, I'm not surprised that Circle\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "review"","block_context":{"text":"review","link":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/category\/review\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/rome_at_twilight.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/rome_at_twilight.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/rome_at_twilight.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/rome_at_twilight.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":13674,"url":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/2022\/12\/28\/king-of-saints\/","url_meta":{"origin":3727,"position":1},"title":"King of saints","author":"Irene Bom","date":"December 28, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"\"Light in the darkness\" Advent 2022 banner, Scots International Church Rotterdam, designed and made by members of the congregation \u00a0 Great and marvelous are your deeds, \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Lord God Almighty. Just and true are your ways, \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0King of the nations. Who will not fear you, Lord, \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0and bring glory to your\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "bible"","block_context":{"text":"bible","link":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/category\/bible\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/light_in_the_darkness_banner.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/light_in_the_darkness_banner.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/light_in_the_darkness_banner.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/light_in_the_darkness_banner.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":12456,"url":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/2022\/01\/07\/germinate-and-grow\/","url_meta":{"origin":3727,"position":2},"title":"Germinate and grow","author":"Irene Bom","date":"January 7, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"\u00a0 Another New Year's prayer, albeit a few days late, a prayer that beautifully connects to our current theme of the month: GROW. \u00a0 New Year\u2019s prayer Lord, as this new year dawns, welcome. Welcome into our world and into our lives. Sow light in our hearts. Let it germinate\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "prayer"","block_context":{"text":"prayer","link":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/category\/prayer\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/tree_at_viaduct.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/tree_at_viaduct.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/tree_at_viaduct.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/tree_at_viaduct.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":9262,"url":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/2020\/03\/18\/circling-the-globe\/","url_meta":{"origin":3727,"position":3},"title":"Circling the globe","author":"Irene Bom","date":"March 18, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"\u00a0 With the corona virus circling the globe, causing such havoc and loss of life, here's a prayer in song form that I hope will minister to you. \u00a0 \u00a0 IN THE STILLNESS by Irene Bom VERSE 1 In the stillness, search my heart, O God Help me turn and\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "song"","block_context":{"text":"song","link":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/category\/song\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"WhO website article on corona virus","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/coronavirus_who.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/coronavirus_who.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/coronavirus_who.png?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/coronavirus_who.png?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":10652,"url":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/2021\/01\/06\/first-things-first\/","url_meta":{"origin":3727,"position":4},"title":"First things first","author":"Irene Bom","date":"January 6, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"Spotted outside Rotterdam Central Station \u00a0(Photo: Irene Bom) \u00a0 Living alone during a pandemic, working from home since March 2020, one of the ways I stay alive is to be creative and share my work online. Through this blog, for example. Thank you. Another creative outlet in 2020 was the\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "prayer"","block_context":{"text":"prayer","link":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/category\/prayer\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/staying_alive.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/staying_alive.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/staying_alive.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/staying_alive.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":16335,"url":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/2025\/05\/19\/new-memories\/","url_meta":{"origin":3727,"position":5},"title":"New memories","author":"Irene Bom","date":"May 19, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"\u00a0 A litany: Resurrection light Risen Christ, when darkness overwhelms us may your dawn beckon. When fear paralyses us may your touch release us. When grief torments us may your peace enfold us. When memories haunt us may your presence heal us. When justice fails us may your anger ignite\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Litany"","block_context":{"text":"Litany","link":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/category\/litany\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/tulips_and_construction.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/tulips_and_construction.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/tulips_and_construction.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/tulips_and_construction.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]}],"rttpg_featured_image_url":null,"rttpg_author":{"display_name":"Irene Bom","author_link":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/author\/irenebom-com\/"},"rttpg_comment":0,"rttpg_category":"<a href=\"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/category\/bible\/\" rel=\"category tag\">bible<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/category\/prayer\/\" rel=\"category tag\">prayer<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/category\/tip\/\" rel=\"category tag\">tip<\/a>","rttpg_excerpt":"Where do you go from here? (photo: Irene Bom)   Here are 3 prayers for happier endings and good beginnings as we approach the end of one year and the start of another. Go with God. And if you’re looking for guidance on what to focus on in your walk with God in the coming…","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3727","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3727"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3727\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3727"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3727"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3727"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}