A Prayer for When the Past Tries to Define You - Your Daily Prayer - October 15

Maybe you have heard that the past doesn’t define you. I know I have been told this many times, so when I offered these words up to my teen the other day, I thought it would comfort her. Unfortunately, it did the exact opposite, making her succumb to bitter tears. Honestly, when I reflect on the past two years, it’s been a bumpy road and not one I like to replay in my mind very often. Maybe that’s because when I do, I quickly feed into the lies that I am not a good enough mom and I messed up. Sigh. The past sure can dig up a lot of hurt and pain, can’t it?

Yet, after spewing out that infamous Christian cliché and being shaken by my daughter’s reaction, it just got me thinking … what really holds us back from moving on? What keeps us reeling in our pain and continually taking that awkward glance in the rearview mirror? Why are we so haunted by our past? Being created in God’s image, we have a plan and purpose for our lives (Genesis 1:27, Psalm 57:2, Jeremiah 29:11). That promise should give us hope and the confidence to step into the future, so why do we remain stuck? The answer is clear. We are in a spiritual battle.

Our human response and tendencies can easily strike an emotional chord that boldly declares we are unable to move on from our past. It says our sinful choices are just too tragic and unforgivable. This is where guilt and shame weasel their way into our lives. Our past can come with some messy and unwanted parts. It’s those sinful choices that grip our hearts and place chains on our feet, igniting fear and the inability to trust God with our future. We begin to feel ashamed and unable to accept God’s mercy and grace.

We also mustn’t discount the clever schemes of the enemy. He will do just about anything and everything in his power to slap negative labels on us. His lies are clever, and his games come with a destructive point to sabotage our souls. But the truth is that we all fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). So, please do not allow the enemy to infiltrate your story and tell you otherwise. Don’t let him discredit your testimony and pin your past against you.

While our past is made up of the good and bad, and is marked by genetics, experiences, and questionable choices, when we become believers, we have the power given to us through the Holy Spirit to give up our painful past, live in the present with peace, and trust the Lord with our future. Maybe you have been taunted by your past and it has been trying to declare victory over you. Maybe you have little hope for your future. Oh, how I wish I could calmly say that your past doesn’t define you and you could immediately feel the chains of guilt crumble down around your feet. What I can say is that it takes time and is a process.

Acknowledge your past, and then invite God right into the middle of it. Ask for forgiveness and seek His abundant grace. Do this daily until you begin to feel the weight of your past lift and your heart become lighter. Get into His Word and remind your weary soul that you are no longer that version of yourself, but you are a new creation, a child of God. The truth of the matter is that God knows your story. All of it - the past, present, and future. So, give Him your heart and allow Him to continue to do great work in you because as long as you have breath, He isn’t finished with you yet!

Let’s pray:

God, thank you for being such a good and merciful Father. As I reflect on my past, it haunts me. Please grant me forgiveness where I have fallen and failed You. I want to become clean before You. I am so grateful that You take every piece of our story, wash over me with Your unfailing love and grace, and use the messy parts of my life for Your glory. Please help me move forward into the future with hope, knowing that You hold it all and offer such sweet freedom.
I ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Photo credit: Getty Images/INDU BACHKHETI

Alicia Searl is a devotional author, blogger, and speaker that is passionate about pouring out her heart and pointing ladies of all ages back to Jesus. She has an education background and master’s in literacy.  Her favorite people call her Mom, which is why much of her time is spent cheering them on at a softball game or dance class. She is married to her heartthrob (a tall, spiky-haired blond) who can whip up a mean latte. She sips that goodness while writing her heart on a page while her puppy licks her feet. Visit her website at aliciasearl.com and connect with her on Instagram and Facebook.

Editor's Note: We're proud to announce we've just launched a new nighttime companion to Your Daily Prayer: the Your Nightly Prayer devotional. You'll soon be able to subscribe to receive Your Nightly Prayer via email, or as a podcast, but for now you can find it on the website at crosswalk.com/devotionals/your-nightly-prayer. We hope it's a relaxing and soothing way to wind down your day with rich meditations on who God is.

Related Resource: Jesus Calling - Stories of Faith

Kerry Washington. Andrea Bocelli. Reba McEntire. Mark Wahlberg. Tony Dungy. Matthew McConaughey, What do all of these people have in common? They are all people of faith who have leaned on God in both the good and challenging times—and they’ve shown up to tell their story of faith on The Jesus Calling Podcast. The Jesus Calling Podcast provides a place for people from all walks of life to share the heartaches, joys, and divine moments that keep them going. 

Inspired by Sarah Young's classic devotional book, the Jesus Calling podcast has brought encouragement and peace to millions. New episodes drop every Thursday! Listen today on LifeAudio.com or wherever you find your podcasts.

Now that you've prayed, are you in need of someone to pray for YOU? Click the button below!