God of New Life,
You are the same yesterday, today, and forever; yet you call us to sing a new song and to watch for the new things that you do. In the midst of living real life it can be hard to see what you may be doing. When we are unemployed - when we are divorcing - when we are lonely - when we are ill - when we are hurting - when we are fearful or worried - when we are concerned for someone - when we are walking through the valley of the shadow - it can be hard to see where you are. Yet, we know you do something new or unexpected to show your glory and power and to rescue your people. Help us to see that whatever we may be going through, you may be preparing to do - or already doing - something new. It may not be what we expect, but it is just like you to make a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland. Help us to be willing to use new wineskins for the new wine of your Spirit you want to pour into us. Help us to see the new thing(s) that you are calling us to do and the new "song" you are calling us to sing. Help us to understand what in that "song" that will cause others to see and fear you and to put their trust in you. In the powerful name of Christ we pray, Amen.
"No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment. If he does, the new piece will pull away from the old, making the tear worse. And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the wine will burst the skins, and both the wine and the wineskins will be ruined. No, he pours new wine into new wineskins." (Mark 2:21-22 NIV)
This is what God says, the God who builds a road right through the ocean, who carves a path through pounding waves, "Forget about what's happened; don't keep going over old history. Be alert, be present. I'm about to do something brand-new. It's bursting out! Don't you see it? There it is! I'm making a road through the desert, rivers in the badlands. Wild animals will say 'Thank you!' —the coyotes and the buzzards— Because I provided water in the desert, rivers through the sun-baked earth, Drinking water for the people I chose, the people I made especially for myself, a people custom-made to praise me. (Isa. 43:16, 18-21 MSG)
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