A daily prayer for restoration, to remember that God makes all things new and will use even your ashes to make something beautiful.
Prayer for Restoration
Heavenly Father, you who makes all things new and brings beauty from our ashes: bind up my broken heart, proclaim freedom over my life, and release me from my darkness. For you are the One who promises to comfort those who mourn and bestow upon me a crown of beauty, oil of joy, and a garment of praise. You will turn my despair into rejoicing.
Isaiah 61:1-3 (NIV)
The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,
because the Lord has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
for the display of his splendor.