BE A CYCLE BREAKER (PART 2): GOD CAN GIVE YOU A FRESH START
JOHN 4:3 Jesus left Judea and departed again to Galilee. 4 But He needed to go through Samaria. 5 So He came to a city of Samaria which is called Sychar, near the plot of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. 6 Now Jacob’s well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied from His journey, sat thus by the well. It was about the sixth hour. 7 A woman of Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give Me a drink.” 8 For His disciples had gone away into the city to buy food. 9 Then the woman of Samaria said to Him, “How is it that You, being a Jew, ask a drink from me, a Samaritan woman?” For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans. 10 Jesus answered and said to her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, ‘Give Me a drink,’ you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.” 11 The woman said to Him, “Sir, You have nothing to draw with, and the well is deep. Where then do You get that living water? 12 Are You greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well, and drank from it himself, as well as his sons and his livestock?” 13 Jesus answered and said to her, “Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, 14 but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.” 15 The woman said to Him, “Sir, give me this water, that I may not thirst, nor come here to draw.” 16 Jesus said to her, “Go, call your husband, and come here.” 17 The woman answered and said, “I have no husband.” Jesus said to her, “You have well said, ‘I have no husband,’ 18 for you have had five husbands, and the one whom you now have is not your husband; in that you spoke truly.” 19 The woman said to Him, “Sir, I perceive that You are a prophet. 24 Jesus said, “God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” 25 The woman said to Him, “I know that Messiah is coming” (who is called Christ). “When He comes, He will tell us all things.” 26 Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am He.” 28 The woman then left her water pot, went her way into the city, and said to the men, 29 “Come, see a Man who told me all things that I ever did. Could this be the Christ?” 30 Then they went out of the city and came to Him. 39 And many of the Samaritans of that city believed in Him because of the word of the woman who testified, “He told me all that I ever did.” 42 Then they said to the woman, “Now we believe, not because of what you said, for we ourselves have heard Him and we know that this is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world.”
INTRO: BE A CYCLE BREAKER (PART 2): GOD CAN GIVE YOU A FRESH START (TEACH)
Illustration: Woman Getting Married – 1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear... The one who fears is not made perfect in love. John 4:18 For you have had five husbands, and the one whom you now have is not your husband; in that you spoke truly.
Pool Of Bethesda: In talking about Breaking The Cycle two weeks ago, we looked at a man in John 5 who was confined to a mat for 38 years. The mat symbolized what he used to be; his helpless & hopeless condition. Jesus came by and made him carry what once carried him. What once limited him was now his testimony. The man moved from mat to mattress and Jesus removed all possibility of returning to the mat. When Mercy shows up in your life, take up your mat, because if you leave it there, it can draw you back. Mercy makes your burden your blessing. What was your crutch becomes your confession. Today let us expand on Breaking The Cycle but using another perspective.
In Order To Break The Cycle, There Must Be Change Which Is One Of The Most Difficult Things We Face In Life. We do not like change because we get comfortable where we are. We get used to friends, job, habitation even, if not perfect, we accept it because it is familiar. Those at the Pool of Bethesda got comfortable with their problems that they created different organizations to accommodate themselves – Association Of The Sick, Association Of The Blind, Association Of The Lame, Association Of The Paralyzed. We must break that daily cycle & receive God’s change? The Woman At The Well was thirsty & tried everything until she encountered Jesus who gave her A Fresh Start.
FIVE HINDRANCES TO CHANGE (LAST WEEK)
1. Pride. Pride says: “I don’t need to change. There is nothing wrong with me. You need change.” Pride does things its own way & leads to fall. Humility does things God’s way & leads to promotion.
2. Fear: “I am afraid to change. I am afraid to take risk. I will live in the average.” Fear of failure. Fear of success - comes pressure. Fear of Criticism – what will they say? Fear Of Unknown?
3. Rebellion. Rebellion says: “I will not change.” Too rebellious to change leads to destruction. E.g. Saul lost everything.
4. Laziness. Laziness says: “I don’t feel like changing. It is too hard for me to change and no time to change”. laziness leads to poverty.
5. Ignorance. Ignorance says: “I don’t know how to change.” Ignorance towards change will lead nowhere. Change is inevitable. Whomever God called, He brought seasons of change.
Times Have Changed Since Jesus Met That Woman At The Well, but the human heart remains the same - same hopes & fears, same dreams & doubts; same uncontrolled anger, foolish choices, misplaced priorities, hypocrisy, guilt, indifference, frivolous curiosity, misguided ambition, limited faith, convenient excuses, nagging doubt, compulsive busyness, broken dreams, personal failure.
ABOUT THE PASSAGE: SO RICH WITH THEMES
I Have Come Across Defiant Women In The Bible: Vashti who will not be ordered around by a drunken king; Mary Magdalene out of whom Jesus cast 7 devils who shows her gratitude by breaking box of ointment & washing His feet with her hair in public - angered Pharisees; Rahab who defiantly hid the spies and saved her family from destruction; Esther who disregarded her own safety, risked her life and position to save her people. But The Nameless Woman At The Well is in a category by herself. She is the epitome of a broken, disappointed, rigorous and fed-up woman who will now live life on her own terms. In this simple encounter are lessons about racial prejudice, religious hatred, dealing with moral outcasts, evangelism, etc. But we will focus on the lesson of FRESH STARTS in life.
THE BACKGROUND & SETTING OF THE STORY
1. The Unusual Course: John 4:3 He left Judea & departed again to Galilee. 4 But He Needed to go thru Samaria. Where there are people & needs, Jesus comes. Irrespective of the place, color, nationality, status, lifestyle, Jesus will be there. Song: Needs attracted him from heaven to earth, from the earth to the cross, from the cross to the grave, from the grave to the skies. E.g. MAP.
2. The Unusual People: Culturally, Jesus did not have to go through Samaria, but around it for Jews did not get along with Samaritans - half breeds. Illustration: Jewish prayers - “Lord, do not remember the Samaritan in the resurrection.” Jewish saying: “May I never set eyes on a Samaritan.” Josephus characterized Samaritans as idolaters & hypocrites. Religion was similar to Jews but more liberal - intermarried with Assyrians soiled their pure Hebrew blood. So they were ostracized - they built a different temple on Mt. Gerizim to offer Jewish sacrifices. But Jesus still went through.
3. The Unusual Encounter: Jesus’ encounter with this woman is unusual. No battle where 100’s died. No fire from heaven to consume meat on an altar. No miracle, sign & wonder. Yet, the miracle of Fresh Start for a woman whose life had been spent total spiritual misery, waste, disrespect.
GOD PROMISES TO MEET OUR NEEDS – WHAT NEEDS TOOK HIM THROUGH SAMARIA?
1. SHE HAD A NEED FOR A FRIEND.
This Woman Needed A Friend - Someone To Love & Care For Her - A Lonely Woman:
a) Time Of Day She Went To Draw Water (John 4:6-7: 6 …Jacob's well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied from His journey, sat thus by the well. It was about the sixth hour. 7. A woman of Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, "Give Me a drink.'') She came to draw water at the 6th hour – heat of mid-day. Early morning & evening were the perfect times to collect water – when the day was cool. She wanted to be alone – rejected by neighbors; avoiding gossips & stares; women would walk past her in the streets, murmur, laugh & mock.
b) Why Improper To Be Seen With Jesus? 1st:She is an outcast because she’s a Samaritan. 2nd: She was an outcast due to poor moral reputation. She’s been married 5 times and was currently living with a man not married to. We are not told if 5 marriages ended in death or divorce. Maybe unable to produce children - enough reason to divorce. 3rd: She is an outcast because she is a woman. Jewish prayer book, Siddur, has texts on blessings, thanksgivings, petitions, instructions, theological claims, etc. In it, this prayer: "Blessed are you, God, King of the Universe, for not having made me a Gentile." / "Blessed are you, God, King of the Universe, for not having made me a slave." / Blessed are you, God, King of the Universe, for not having made me a woman."
This Woman’s Life Also Debunks 3 Lies People Tell About God
a) That God Is Whatever We Want Him To Be. During Ezra & Nehemiah’s time, Samaritan leaders established a worship center at Gerazim because their religious leaders could not let them make long journey to Jerusalem yearly to worship. So, they erected a god for the Northern Kingdom using Deut. 27 as authority for erecting temple. They made God fit their own needs. They turned God into whatever they wanted Him to be. We also seek to rationalize God into whatever we want Him to be.
b) That God Is Obligated To Offer Salvation To The Followers Of Other Religions. Religion of Samaritans was close to religion of the Jews - believed 5 books of Moses, but rejected Joshua to Malachi. Samaritans descended from Abraham but intermarried with Medes & Persians. Samaritans lived in the Promised Land, but centered their culture on historic well dug by Jacob. If there was a religion close to the truth, it was religion of Samaritans. Religions today get some things right: Buddhists affirm peaceful lifestyle. Hindus affirm respect for Nature. Moslems affirm Jesus as prophet but reject prophecies. But each fails to embrace their faith thru Christ – only Christianity.
c) That Many Different Paths Lead To God’s Presence. If a path as close to the Jewish religion as the Samaritan religion didn’t lead to God, how could religions which deny the need for the atonement of sins and reject the need of a personal God be accepted? The Samaritan religion was and had a counterfeit temple, priests & Scripture unauthorized by God. Their worship was fake. Any religion which fails to accept Jesus and His teachings fails to approach God correctly.
Jesus Was Tired, Thirsty & Hungry, But He Ministered.
a) Ministry Doesn't Wait Until You Are Rested. Jesus is hungry, tired and sent his disciples ahead to buy food because he did not want them to mess up an opportunity for witness.
b) Ministry Happens When You Let Go Prejudice: The rabbis taught: “Let no Israelite eat one mouthful of anything that is a Samaritan’s; for if he eat but a little mouthful, he is as if he ate swine’s flesh.” And yet, the disciples are buying food in Sychar. Compare This Woman With Nicodemus: 2 Extremes: “He was a Jew, she was a Samaritan; He was a man, she was a woman; He was learned, she was ignorant; He was morally upright, she was of loose morals; He was wealthy & from the upper class, she was ignorant, an outcast; He recognized Jesus’ merits, she saw him only as a curious traveler; he was serious & dignified, she was flippant & possibly loose in dignity”. But Jesus treated both as individuals – and not as “one size fits all”. Jesus presents her with the Gospel in a totally different way than to Nicodemus.
c) Ministry Happens To Those You Least Expect: Try to imagine the scene - veiled woman coming to the well at noon, hottest time of day, not early morning when all the other women came. When you see things out of place, go to God and listen – He may be planning an Ethiopian moment.
Some Theologians Deny She Was Married To 5 Men – 5 Senses:
1. Barbara Walters: 4 marriages
2. George Foreman: 5 marriages
3. Richard Pryor: 7 marriages
4. Elizabeth Taylor: 8 marriages
5. Larry King: 8 marriages
6. Zsa Zsa Gabor: 9 marriages. 7. Linda Wolfe, 68, first wed at 16, has 23 ex-husbands, which sets the world record for the Most Married Woman. Still alive.
8. Kamarudin Mohamad, 72, tied the knot for the 53rd in 2004. His shortest marriage was for only 2 days! Died 2007.
9. Glynn Wolfe, a Baptist minister, in Blythe (California) got married 29 times. Shortest marriage 19 days; Died 1997.
Presumed List Of The 5 Husbands In Her Life:
a) The Wife Abuser, Critic, Whiner: He talked too much; was aggressive using verbal skills to manipulate, intimidate, criticize her. He used words to hurt her heart every time he lost his temper. He struck her repeatedly. Said things to her no man should say to a woman. She feared him.
b) The Wife Neglecter: Are non-verbal and can be passive or aggressive; most times he got what he wanted using open aggression. He would not respond when spoken to, skip chores or errands promised, and dragged his feet. He would withdraw or separate from her showing his frustration.
c) The General Husband: He was a husband for every woman. He spent more time with other women than her. He only used her as a stay home woman but was out all the time.
d) The Selfish Or Slave Husband: He was totally non-supportive of her and everything was about himself. He would never admit when he was wrong but shout and argue. He would never sincerely apologize, reconsider or consult her. He loved to be treated like a king and treated her like a slave.
e) The Jobless / Childish Husband. He was constantly unemployed, getting fired or changing jobs. Maybe because of his attitude, he could not work with others. He was lazy and a parasitic husband depending on her for money and to take care of the home. He felt he was doing her a favor. He was irresponsible & childish. Could not make decision without asking his mother.
About Marriages & Divorces
1. Wrong Reasons To Get Married: Want to be free from parents. To have sex. We’ve been best friends for a long time. To ease loneliness. To be happy. She got pregnant. I did not want to break his / her heart. To cover up that I am lesbian or homosexual. To save, rescue or help someone. You want a baby. For money, security, materialism, career. To have someone to "complete" you. For immigration purposes – green card. Tired of being single. Someone is pressuring you into getting married. You don't want people gossiping about the two of you living together. To get health or insurance benefits from the spouse's employer. All your friends are married. I want my kids to have a mother or father figure. You've always wanted a fancy wedding, or to wear the fancy dress. Out of fear that no one else will want to marry you. You think you are running out of time.
2. Right Reasons To Get Married: You are in love with one another. A desire to share your life with another. To have a lifetime companion. You both have realistic expectations & shared goals. You want to feel connected with a person you love and to grow with that person emotionally. Willingness to be there for one another while each fulfills own needs & dreams. To fulfill God’s will for your lives.
3. God’s Reasons For Marriage: Companionship: The affection, love, and true companionship which grow out of a oneness of spirit as each partner models Christ's unconditional love (Amos 3:3). Enjoyment: Physical relationship is a reflection of the loyalty and affection shared among marriage partners who have become "one flesh" (Heb. 13:4). Fruitfulness: The blessing of children in a marriage relationship allows that relationship to reproduce itself physically. It is an example of the "oneness" that results in a marriage (Gen. 1:28). Protection: The husband protects the wife by laying down his life for her (Eph. 5:25). The wife is to protect the home (Pro. 31).
4. Marriage & Divorce Statistics: Less 50% of Americans are now married. About 50% of marriages end in divorce. 41% of 1st marriages. 60% of 2nd marriages, 73% of 3rd marriages end in divorce. In the US, 1 divorce approximately every 36 seconds; nearly 2,400 divorces / day; 16,800 divorces / week; 876,000 divorces / year. The average length of a marriage that ends in divorce is 7 years. "Red" states that tend to vote Republican have higher divorce rates than "blue" states that tend to vote Democrat. Oklahoma has the highest overall divorce rate followed by Arkansas. 29% of Baptists are divorced (highest Christian group), while 21% of atheists/agnostics were divorced (the lowest). Britney Spears holds the record for shortest celebrity marriage - union with Jason Alexander lasted only 55 hours before annulled.
She Is A Hardened Woman – She Rightly Answers Jesus - “I Have NO Husband”.
This Is A Statement Of Fact, But There Is Perhaps More To This Than Just Telling Jesus That She Is Not Married. The Greek puts the emphasis on “No” and could be rendered: “I do NOT have a husband!” In other words, she is letting Jesus know that she is autonomous and does not need a man to tell her anything. After all, she was living with a man on her terms outside the legalities of marriage and the responsibilities it required.
She Must Have Been A Woman Of Awesome Beauty & Independence.
After 5 husbands, a soiled reputation and you are still desired by someone to just live with you and not be married? She must have also become someone who did not care what people said – religion or no religion - knows the Scripture but will not live by it. Many people are just like her… Thinking beauty will last. Thinking they do not need anyone. Thinking they can justify their actions through Scriptures. They treat the things of God like Burger King – you can always find one at the next exit. All churches are not custodians of the truth. Some are not in it to take care of your souls but themselves.
Real Life Is Only Found In A Relationship With God The Father Through His Son Jesus.
The woman needed a friend and we can see this truth in her troubled past. Jesus brought her past out into the open in John 4:15-18: 15. The woman said to Him, "Sir, give me this water, that I may not thirst, nor come here to draw.'' 16. Jesus said to her, "Go, call your husband, and come here.'' 17. The woman answered and said, "I have no husband.'' Jesus said to her, "You have well said, 'I have no husband,' 18. for you have had five husbands, and the one whom you now have is not your husband; in that you spoke truly.'' This Woman Had A Long History Of Broken Relationships: Five failed marriages and a current relationship too weak for commitment. Each failure in marriage pulled her farther down, until she gave up on the possibility of real love. But Jesus loved her. He wanted to be her Friend.
Illustration: Baggages – Bring Some Baggages
2. SHE HAD A NEED FOR FORGIVENESS.
Jesus Truly Wanted To Give This Woman The Spiritual Water That Gives Everlasting Life. But she had to face up to the sin in her life. John 4:10-18: 10. Jesus answered and said to her, "If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, 'Give Me a drink,' you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.'' 11. The woman said to Him, "Sir, You have nothing to draw with, and the well is deep. Where then do You get that living water? 12. Are You greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well, and drank from it himself, as well as his sons and his livestock?'' 13. Jesus answered and said to her, "Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, 14. but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.'' 15. The woman said to Him, "Sir, give me this water, that I may not thirst, nor come here to draw.'' 16. Jesus said to her, "Go, call your husband, and come here.'' 17. The woman answered and said, "I have no husband.'' Jesus said to her, "You have well said, 'I have no husband,' 18. For you have had five husbands, and the one whom you now have is not your husband; in that you spoke truly.''
God Has An Unusual Well – Cistern.
Jeremiah 2:13 For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water. The Woman At The Well needed forgiveness, not just because she had been married 5 times; not just because she was living out of wedlock, but because “all have sinned” and needs God's forgiveness. No matter how good we think we are, we need forgiveness from God. That's why Jesus died on the cross! We can't earn God’s forgiveness. We don’t deserve it, but God wants us to have it because He loves us. Isaiah 1:18: "Come now, and let us reason together,'' says the Lord, "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool." Ephesians 4:32: "Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ also forgave you." John 7:37-39 37 On the last day, the climax of the festival, Jesus stood and shouted to the crowds, “Anyone who is thirsty may come to me! 38 Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart 39 (When he said “living water,” he was speaking of the Spirit, who would be given to everyone believing in him…
Illustration: An Attorney At Law Canceling Debtors – All Letters Refused & Returned.
3. SHE HAD A NEED FOR FULFILLMENT.
Illustration: Pick Up Her Bucket
Many People Today Run Around As Fast As They Can, Trying To Find Fulfillment In Money, Prestige, Sports, Entertainment, Appearance. Jacob’s Well Is The Picture Of The World: Everything it offers like wealth, success, fame, happiness, luxury are temporary. You will be thirsty again after some time and you can never find real satisfaction from them. But Jesus is inviting us to come to him to drink of the Living water.
A Huge Part Of This Fulfilling Relationship Is Worship.
When God Tries To Reach Us, Most Of Us Try To Change The Subject Like This Woman. She is a master manipulator – but not this time. Being caught red-handed, the woman tried to divert the issue on religious complexity and confusion and interpretations regarding where to worship. But Jesus overrules her objection by saying it is already irrelevant because in the NT, the question is not where to worship, but how to worship - in Spirit & in Truth. John 4:25: The woman said, “I know the Messiah is coming - the one who is called Christ. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.” 26 Then Jesus told her, “I AM the Messiah!” Unable to sway the conversation to nowhere, the woman opened another topic – that which is common to every Jews & Samaritan alike - the coming Messiah. She is hoping to end the conversation by suggesting that all her questions will be answered “someday” when the Messiah comes. Jesus surprised her with the sudden revelation of Himself - “I Am the Messiah.” This required the woman to make a decision right there and right then.
Another Means Of Fulfillment For Her Is Her Bucket:
John 4:11 The woman said to Him, “Sir, You have nothing to draw with, and the well is deep. Where then do You get that living water? A bucket represents the things that we thought would give us satisfaction. It may be a relationship with man or a woman; a job, money, dream house, car, vacation, gadgets, sports, travels and many others. But after they got what they wanted, they are still disappointed & dissatisfied because they are still thirsty for something they don’t even understand. Why? It is because they are looking for bucket instead of looking to Jesus, the spring of Living Water, the fountain of everlasting life. Notice: Before She Found Jesus, All Her Concern Is About The Bucket Or A Jar Of Water & Husbands. After she sees who Jesus is, a sudden change occurs in her heart - what she really needs at the well of Jesus is His living water. Notice that she left her jar besides Jacob’s well and carries the fountain of Jesus. John 4:28 The woman left her water jar beside the well and ran back to the village, telling everyone, 29 “Come and see a man who told me everything I ever did! Could he possibly be the Messiah?” 30 So the people came streaming from the village to see him.
Another Means Of Fulfillment For Her Is The Well:
The woman is still thirsty NOT because she has the wrong bucket. She is actually not satisfied because she is coming to the wrong well. We are not satisfied not because we don’t have the right husband, wife, job, position, education, achievements, wealth or anything that this world can offer. We are not satisfied because we are finding happiness from the well of the world which is temporary.
4. SHE HAD A NEED FOR A FRESH START.
Illustration: Jesus On The Back Of The Puzzle
Do You Ever Feel Like You Need A Fresh Start? John 4:25-29 25. The woman said to Him, "I know that Messiah is coming, who is called Christ. When He comes, He will tell us all things.'' 26. Jesus said to her, "I who speak to you am He.'' 28. The woman then left her waterpot, went her way into the city, and said to the men, 29. "Come, see a Man who told me all things that I ever did. Could this be the Christ?'' What An Unusual Conversion! John 4:39 Many Samaritans from the village believed in Jesus because the woman had said, “He told me everything I ever did!” 40 When they came out to see him, they begged him to stay in their village. So he stayed for two days, 41 long enough for many more to hear his message and believe. 42 Then they said to the woman, “Now we believe, not just because of what you told us, but because we have heard him ourselves. Now we know that he is indeed the Savior of the world.”
Please Note Two Reasons They Believe:
The people of Samaria were converted and believed Jesus as the Messiah: First: Not through the conclusive theology of a brilliant biblical apologist but by simple testimony of a new believer, the woman with the “shady past.” She is the Samaritan Woman who had a dark history of multiple failed marriages; a bitter woman with liberal attitudes who lives life outside of marriage. They were captivated by her undeniable testimony and came to Jesus to investigate personally. The MEN came in droves to see this MAN who fascinated her. Second: Because of what they saw Jesus do. He stayed there for two days but the Bible does not tell us the miracles he did.
What A Testimony: What A Fresh Start!
At The Beginning, She Hid From The People In Town, now she hurries to tell them about Jesus! The burden of sin was gone. She was forgiven; full of life; got a fresh start in life. Jesus gave that woman a brand-new start in life. That's what He does for everyone who will receive him as Lord and Savior. 2 Cor. 5:17 "If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." When Jesus Crosses Your Path, Anything Can Happen. He crossed Peter’s path - went from unschooled fisherman to disciple. Crossed Matthew’s path - went from hated tax collector to well-loved Gospel writer. Crossed Lazarus’ path - went from a 4-day old stink corpse to eating dinner with his family. This unnamed Samaritan woman became one of them. A Fresh Start Is Not Found In A New Husband, Wife, Job Or Activity. It is found in Jesus.
CONCLUSION: LET JESUS MEET YOUR NEEDS AND GIVE YOU A FRESH START
You May Have Been A Christian For 40 Years, and still feel like you need a fresh start. You are not alone! God will give you the fresh start you need today. Lamentations 3:22-23 22. Through the Lord's mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. 23. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. Jesus met her where she was at - He did not change her circumstances. She still had a past. It is not our circumstance that needs changing, it is us.
PRAYER FOR A FRESH START IN YOUR LIFE
1. Prayer Of St. Francis Of Assissi: "Lord, make me an instrument of your peace; where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is discord, union; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; and where there is sadness, joy.
2. Prayer Of Serenity By Reinhold Neibuhr: God grant me the serenity; to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference.
3. A Personal Prayer: Lord, Turn The Pages Of My Life And Wash Each Day Clean. Help me learn from the past and to move on. Thank you that you can write a new story on a fresh page. With you I find vision and hope again. Thank you for the price that you paid that I always have a chance to begin again with you. Move me from guilt, failure, disappointment, shortcomings, deception, unmet goals, setbacks to a fresh start.
