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A Prayer about Ending Well

A Prayer about Ending Well

There was much weeping among them all; they embraced Paul and kissed him, grieving especially because of what he had said, that they would not see him again. Acts 20:36-37

Sending God,

It is the season of endings. 

Students are graduating 

from high schools, colleges, and grad schools; 

couples are getting married and altering the relationships 

they’ve had with their families. 

The truth is, most of us don’t like to say good-bye. 

We enjoy familiarity, and new things sometimes frighten us. 

Shape us by the good news of your sending gospel. 

Show us through Paul and the Ephesian elders 

how to end well.

Paul was honest with his beloved friends, 

“And so this is good-bye. 

You’re not going to see me again, 

nor I you, you whom I’ve gone among for so long 

proclaiming the good news of God’s inaugurated kingdom” (Acts 20:25-27, MSG). 

Paul can leave well because he knows 

he has done what God called him to do in Ephesus: 

“I’ve done my best for you, given you my all, 

held back nothing of God’s will for you” (Acts 20:27).

Even as he leaves, he charges them 

to live in the grace and power of the Holy Spirit. 

And then, in this tender scene on the beach, 

they say good-bye. 

They don’t pretend that they’re not going to miss each other—

they grieve. 

They weep. 

They hug and they kiss (Acts 20:36-38). 

And then the elders send Paul off.

Lord, you’ve shown us the way to do endings well. 

Give us the grace to do so in these coming days.

In Jesus’ tender name. Amen. 

Read Acts 20:17-38.



Elizabeth Reynolds Turnage

Elizabeth Reynolds Turnage

author, life and legacy coach, speaker

A Prayer about Focusing on the One Necessary Thing

A Prayer about Focusing on the One Necessary Thing

But the Lord answered her, ‘Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.’

Luke 10:41-42

Lord Jesus,

You are the “one thing that is necessary.” 

You are the “good portion.” 

You rule the cosmos. 

You control all of the things 

we want to control 

but can’t. 

We confess, 

we’re not always comfortable sitting at your feet, 

listening to your truth and grace. 

We are “distracted with much serving” (Luke 10:40). 

Why do we busy about? 

Is it because we want to earn others’ approval? 

To earn your approval? 

Is it because we were raised to work hard? 

Is it because we’re addicted to distractions? 

Lord, turn our heads toward you—

“the one thing that is necessary.” 

Help us to choose the good portion—

to hear your teaching, 

to gaze on your beauty. 

And as we choose you 

over all the “many things,” 

may we find the rest you have promised 

to all who are weary and heavy-laden.

In your rest-giving name. Amen.

Read Luke 10:38-42. 



Elizabeth Reynolds Turnage

Elizabeth Reynolds Turnage

author, life and legacy coach, speaker

A Prayer about Submitting to the Lord’s Plan for Our Lives

A Prayer about Submitting to the Lord’s Plan for Our Lives

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways,” says the Lord. Isaiah 55:8

All-Wise Lord,

Forgive us for thinking so highly of our own thoughts and plans.

We live in a culture that tells us to make a plan and work the plan, 

and success will follow. 

How we need to trust in your plan, 

even when it does not fit with our plan. 

You tell us to come to you for life and peace, 

to turn from the temptation to earn our way 

into your good graces. 

Indeed, there is no earning in your kingdom: 

“Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, 

and your labor for that which does not satisfy?” (Isaiah 55:2).

Because of your abundant mercy, 

we turn from the temptation to trust our own plans…

for relationships,

spouses,

children (young or grown), 

work and retirement, 

finances, 

health, 

living situation, etc. 

Because of your eternal wisdom, 

we seek you and call upon you, 

believing that your way are higher than our ways, 

and your thoughts higher than our thoughts (Isaiah 55:9). 

Because you are the Lord and giver of life, 

we turn to your living Word 

to discover the hopeful plans 

you have made for us, 

fighting our unbelief 

to hope that this word will be true for us, 

our loved ones, our church, and your kingdom:

“For you shall go out in joy and be led forth in peace…” (Isaiah 55:12).

In the name of your Word incarnate, Jesus, we pray. Amen.

Read Isaiah 55. 



Elizabeth Reynolds Turnage

Elizabeth Reynolds Turnage

author, life and legacy coach, speaker

A Prayer about Being Saved from Folly

A Prayer about Being Saved from Folly

Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.

Proverbs 26:12

Wise and Gracious Lord,

In our world, 

foolishness seems more prevalent 

than wisdom. 

As we read Proverbs, 

we discover that folly 

can be as destructive as evil. 

We urge you, make us wise. 

Turn us away from the world’s folly, 

the kind of folly that closes our minds, 

the kind of folly that refuses to listen, 

the kind of folly that runs off at the mouth 

about things we know nothing about, 

the kind of folly that thinks we know everything, 

the kind of folly that makes us lazy as a brick, 

the kind of folly that makes us repeat our folly. 

Instead, make us foolish in the gospel, 

proclaiming what will sound like folly to fools: 

“For the word of the cross is folly 

to those who are perishing, 

but to us who are being saved it is the power of God” 

(1 Corinthians 1:18). 

In your wisdom-giving name. Amen.

Read Proverbs 26.



Elizabeth Reynolds Turnage

Elizabeth Reynolds Turnage

author, life and legacy coach, speaker

A Prayer about Seeing the Glory of Jesus

A Prayer about Seeing the Glory of Jesus

And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light.

Matthew 17:2

Glorious Jesus,

How we long to see your glory, 

to really see it, 

the way Peter, James, and John saw it 

in the transfiguration. 

You took them to a high mountain, 

and as you were praying, 

you began shining like the sun, 

your face lit up in fierce, overpowering light, 

your clothes whiter 

than newly bleached sheets. 

Even though we have not yet physically seen you 

in your glory, 

help us to engage our imaginations 

so that we see what Peter, James, and John saw. 

Dazzling in your glory, 

you spoke with Moses and Elijah, 

two men who had caught glimpses of God’s glory. 

God’s glory-cloud descended on this whole bunch 

gathered on the mountain, 

and the voice of your Father spoke, 

“This is my beloved Son, 

with whom I am well pleased. 

Listen to him” (Matthew 17:5). 

The disciples sank to the ground, 

terrified by it all. 

But you, the fiery yet gentle Jesus, 

touched them, 

telling them, 

“Rise, and have no fear” (Matthew 17:7). 

Lord, may we see your glory 

even in this very story. 

And may we imagine your glory 

shining today into every crack and crevice of sin, 

every rupture and ravage of evil, 

healing and cleansing 

and bringing hope to hurting hearts. 

In your beautiful name. Amen. 

Read Matthew 17:1-13.



Elizabeth Reynolds Turnage

Elizabeth Reynolds Turnage

author, life and legacy coach, speaker

A Prayer about Days When You Can’t Take One More Thing

A Prayer about Days When You Can’t Take One More Thing

I was pushed hard, so that I was falling, but the Lord helped me. Psalm 118:13

Lord Almighty,

On those days 

when we can’t take 

one more phone call lodging a complaint, 

one more text sharing sad news, 

one more best-laid plan going awry, 

one more thing—

Help us!

Help us to remember that you are our helper.

Who is our helper?

Our helper is the Maker of heaven and earth (Psalm 146:6). 

Our helper is the one 

who has “answered [us] and set [us] free” (Psalm 118:6).

Our helper is the one 

who “keeps faith forever; 

who executes justice for the oppressed, 

who gives food to the hungry, 

who sets the prisoner free, 

who opens the eyes of the blind, 

who lifts up those who are bowed down, 

who loves the righteous, 

who watches over the sojourner, 

who upholds the widow and the fatherless, 

who brings the wicked to ruin” (Psalm 146:6-10).

Our helper is the one 

whose steadfast love endures forever (Psalm 118:1-3).

Our helper is you, our Heavenly Father, 

who has adopted us through the precious blood 

of your very own Son.

In Jesus’ helping name. Amen. 

Read Psalm 118. 



Elizabeth Reynolds Turnage

Elizabeth Reynolds Turnage

author, life and legacy coach, speaker