Joyful Moments in Christ

We live in a world defined by change and decay. From the shifting of seasons to the fragility of our own health and relationships, it often feels as though nothing is built to last. It is easy to feel overwhelmed by the “withering” parts of life, especially when evil seems to have the upper hand. This prayer is based on the promise of Isaiah 40:8 and invites you to anchor your soul in the only thing that never shifts: the word of God. By looking past the withering grass and fading flowers of this life, we can find a steady joy and deep contentment in the eternal kingdom that is being prepared for us.

A Prayer

Dear Father,

You are the eternal God, the one who always was, always is, and always will be. I adore you because you are outside of time, looking down upon the span of history with perfect clarity. There is nothing that can be thrown at you that you can’t handle. You are the rock of ages, unshaken by the rising and falling of nations or the passage of centuries. You may allow the devil to win a few battles, but it is all part of your plan to win the war. You have promised an eternal relationship with your children and your word will stand forever.

I am sorry that I doubt this. I get sick and I question your ability to heal. Someone betrays me and I wonder why you let it happen. I see all the evil in the world and I doubt your power. This is wrong! I confess that I often focus more on the fading things of this Earth than on your eternal truth. I let my heart be troubled by what I see with my eyes. I forget that you give each person a free will and wonder why their rejection of you causes far-reaching problems. Despite this apparent chaos, you have it in hand. I am sorry for my lack of faith when the grass begins to brown and the flowers of my life start to fall.

Thank you that you have promised to right all of this in the end. You give us the choice of living with you in your perfect kingdom, or living somewhere where you are completely absent. I cannot wait to see what your kingdom with the absence of evil looks like. Thank you that you are patient and allow us plenty of time to make the right decision. I am so grateful for the assurance found in Isaiah 40:8 (ESV): “The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.” Thank you that even when everything else fails, your promises remain as firm as they were the day you spoke them.

I pray that as we wait for you to wait for us, that you will help us patiently survive the withering grass. Give us the ability to trust in your goodness, power, and strength as the chaos swirls around us. Grant us a resilient joy that does not depend on our circumstance but on the permanence of your word. Help us to resist temptation and cling to your truth when the world offers only fleeting pleasures. As we continue following Jesus, help us to find contentment in your eternal plan rather than our temporary comfort.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Reflect

Consider the following reflection questions:

1. What is a “fading flower” in your life right now? Think of something temporary that is causing you a lot of stress.
2. How does the fact that God’s word stands forever give you peace when the world feels chaotic?
3. In what ways have you seen God’s patience in your own life as you’ve struggled to make the right decisions?
4. Which specific promise from God’s word can you hold onto today to help you survive the “withering” moments?
5. How can you shift your focus today from the problems that are temporary to the kingdom that is eternal?

Respond

Please pray a prayer about trusting God in a withering world.

If you aren’t sure where to begin, you can use the ACTS method: Adoration, Confession, Thankfulness, and Supplication:

• Adoration: Praise God. Does this topic bring any specific characteristics of God to mind?
• Confession: Tell God that you are sorry for specific sins. Does this topic bring any specific sins to mind?
• Thankfulness: Show gratitude towards God. Does anything from this topic inspire gratitude?
• Supplication: Make requests for yourself and for others. Does anything from this topic inspire a prayer?

If helpful, you can use a prayer journal template.

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English Standard Version (ESV): Unless otherwise noted, scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The ESV text may not be quoted in any publication made available to the public by a Creative Commons license. The ESV may not be translated in whole or in part into any other language.