There’s something about the start of September, the beginning of a new school year, and the fall season right around the corner, that stirs up an excitement for fresh starts and renewed goals. Maybe it’s another chance to get organized, to pursue dreams, or to live with greater intention before the year ends and we’re on to the next. For some of us, the days might seem to be flying by faster than we can keep up; a new season seems like a great time to start again—renewed—with fresh reminders of God’s grace and goodness, with more focus and determination to make every day count.
Living in Texas, many around these parts can hardly wait for the first cool breezes of autumn coming through. We long for it, we look for it, tracking any sign of temperature drops in the forecast. Maybe you can relate. There’s an anticipation for all the changes that these months bring - beautiful colors, falling leaves, crispness in the air, and upcoming holidays.
The start of any new season can bring a mixed bag of emotions. Some may be experiencing the best year ever. Others may be trudging through one deep struggle after another, finding it hard just to wait for this year to end. Some may be saying goodbye to children leaving for college and facing the newness of an empty nest. Others may be grieving deep loss or big life changes. Some may be looking forward to new careers, fresh change, or an upcoming move.
And wherever we may find ourselves at the start of fall, or any season of the year, this truth still helps us to remember what matters most: God is the One who brings hope and renewal through each passing season. And He is able to use all that we walk through in this life for good in us, and for His ultimate glory.
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Though things may be constantly changing around us - kids grow up, people move, jobs shift, and new challenges arise - we can hold onto the promise that we are not alone—not ever, for God never changes and He holds us secure and leads us through new places, bringing goodness and promise for all that’s still in store.
In whatever we might be facing these autumn months, in both the blessings and the struggles, may God fill us afresh with the peace and guidance of His Spirit and the wisdom to follow His lead.
Here are 10 Verses for Fresh Starts and New Beginnings this Fall.
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God will give us strength for all that He calls us to do. He promises a harvest and reward at just the right time.
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9
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God’s love never changes, He is forever faithful, His mercies never end. As sure as the sun rises, they are new every morning.
“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23
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God is doing a new thing in this season. We can trust Him always. He will make a way where there seems to be no way.
“Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” Isaiah 43:18-19
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We can let go of what is behind us and move forward in faith towards all that God has in store.
“Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead.” Philippians 3:13
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God desires to bring seasons of refreshing to our souls by the power of His Spirit. May He help us to confess our sin and return to Him with our full hearts so that we can truly live abundantly and free.
“Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.” Acts 3:19
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We may not always understand what God is doing, but He does. We can be assured that his plans for us are good, to give us a future and a hope.
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11
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God reminds us that we don’t ever have to feel the need to simply live life in our own power and strength. As we learn to rest in Him, and wait for His guidance, He is the One who renews us by His power, so that we can keep soaring high and running strong.
“But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31
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God never asks us to figure things out on our own. He just asks us to trust Him with our full hearts and to submit to His leadership in our lives. He promises to make our paths straight.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6
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We can trust that nothing is too difficult for our God. May this be our prayer this new season, that God would grant us the desires of our hearts as we seek to follow Him, and that He would bless and help every plan to succeed, as only He can do. To Him be the glory.
“May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.” Psalm 20:4
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No matter what we face in this season, we can trust that God is faithful and loving. He promises to always be with us. We can choose to give Him thanks and praise, for He is good!
"Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.” Psalm 100:4-5
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May we be able to look back on this season, in both the struggles and the blessings, and say with confidence, “God you have crowned this year with your goodness, the paths you have led us on have overflowed with your abundance.” May we be constantly aware of His provision and care. May we be again reminded that it’s not all up to us, for God is fighting for us, even behind the scenes where we can’t fully see.
“You crown the year with your goodness, and your paths drip with abundance.” Psalm 65:11
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Dear God,
Thank you that you make all things new. Thank you for all that you’ve allowed into our lives this year, the good along with the hard things, which have reminded us how much we need you and rely on your presence filling us every single day.
We pray for your Spirit to lead us each step of this new fall season. We ask that you will guide our decisions and turn our hearts to deeply desire you above all else. We ask that you would open doors needing to be opened and close the ones needing to be shut tight. We ask that you would help us release our grip on the things to which you’ve said “no,” “not yet,” or “wait.” We ask for help to pursue you first, above every dream and desire you’ve put within our hearts.
We ask for your wisdom, for your strength and power to be constantly present within us. We pray you would make us strong and courageous for the road ahead. Give us ability beyond what we feel able, let your gifts flow freely through us, so that you would be honored by our lives, and others would be drawn to you.
We pray that you’d keep us far from the snares and traps of temptations, that you would whisper in our ear when we need to run and whisper in our heart when we need to stand our ground.
We pray for your protection over our families and friends. We ask for your hand to cover us and keep us distanced from the evil intent of the enemy, that you would be a barrier to surround us, that we’d be safe in your hands. We pray that you would give us discernment and insight beyond our years, to understand your will, hear your voice, and know your ways. We ask for the covering of your Spirit over our family as we come and go each new day. We ask for your protection over our schools, over our children, and all the places they will be. We fully rely on you God, for you can see ahead and behind us, you know all things, and we thank you for your watchful care.
We ask that you would keep our footsteps firm, on solid ground, helping us to be consistent and faithful. Give us supernatural endurance to stay the course, not swerving to the right or to the left, or being too easily distracted by other things that would seek to call us away from a close walk with you.
Forgive us for the times we have worked so hard to be self-sufficient, forgetting our need for you, living independent of your spirit. Forgive us for letting fear and worry control our minds, and for allowing pride and selfishness wreak havoc over our lives. Forgive us for not following your ways and for living distant from your presence.
We ask that you would provide for our needs; we ask for your grace and favor. We pray for your blessings to cover us, we pray that you would help us to prosper and make every plan that you have birthed in our heart to succeed. We pray that others would take notice of your goodness and could not help, but to say, “These are the ones that the Lord has blessed.”
Help us to be great givers in the season of harvest and celebration. Help us to be generous and kind, to look to the needs of others and not be consumed by only our own.
May we be lovers of truth; may the fruits of your spirit be evident in our lives – your love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
Shine your light in us, through us, over us. May we make a difference in this world, for your glory and purposes. Set you way before us. We may reflect your peace and hope to a world that so desperately needs your presence and healing.
To you be the glory and honor this new season. We give thanks to you and praise your Name.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
Debbie McDaniel is a writer, pastor's wife, mom to three amazing kids (and a lot of pets). Join her each morning on Fresh Day Ahead's Facebook page, for daily encouragement in living strong, free, hope-filled lives. Find her also on Twitter and at her blog www.debbiemcdaniel.com.
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