A few years ago, I played my first “real” round of golf—and quickly learned what a mulligan was. It’s the do-over shot you get when you mess up. No penalty. No shame. Just another chance.
That’s exactly what God’s grace gives us, only far greater. In Christ, we aren’t patched up or repaired—we are made completely new. And God’s grace doesn’t just apply to the moment of salvation; it’s available every day. Each time we repent, grace invites us to begin again.
As you reflect on this past year, you may remember moments you’re proud of—and moments you wish you could undo. But grace says you don’t have to stay stuck in yesterday. God’s mercy is not limited, and His forgiveness is never exhausted. Through Jesus, the old is gone, and the new is here.
TONIGHT’S SCRIPTURE
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”
— 2 Corinthians 5:17
YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER
Father,
Thank You for Your grace. I don’t know where I would be without it. As I look back over this past year, I see both the choices I’m thankful for and the moments I wish I could erase. I confess the ways I’ve fallen short, and I receive Your forgiveness tonight.
As I step into a new year, help me walk in confidence as the new creation You’ve made me to be. Let me release the weight of my past mistakes, knowing You have made all things new. Remind me that Your grace doesn’t run out—and that with You, I can begin again, even today.
Let this year be the greatest revelation of Your grace I have ever experienced.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
THREE THINGS TO MEDITATE UPON
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Grace is not only what brings you to Christ—it’s what sustains you every day.
-
You are not a byproduct of your strength; you are a testimony of His grace.
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Grace cannot be earned—only received.
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Episode Transcript
Life Audio. Thank you for tuning in to your nightly Prayer,
a podcast designed to help you rest and connect with
your Father in heaven as the day ends. God is
ready to meet you in this moment of peace as
you settle into sleep. After this short word from our sponsor,
(00:24):
we'll encounter tonight's devotional beginning Again with Grace, written by
Clarence Haines, Junior, and read by your host, Brooke McLoughlin.
(00:45):
Tonight's scripture Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new
creation has come, the old has gone. The New is here.
Second Corinthians five seventeen. Something to ponder. A few years ago,
I had the chance to play golf with a group
of friends. After taking a few golf lessons and spending
(01:07):
some time at the range. I was excited because this
would be my first time playing a real course. I
say real because this was a public course in New
York City, not a pristine, world class course like Augusta National.
Let's just say many of the tea areas had no
grass and were all dirt, so it tells you the
(01:27):
quality of the course. Nevertheless, it was exciting for me.
During this time I discovered what a mulligan is for
you non golfers out there, A mulligan is when you
hit a terrible shot and you may try the shot
again without penalty. Also, the previous shot does not count
against your score. Of course, this does not happen in
(01:50):
professional golf. However, in the casual, usually bad type of
golf I play, I need every mulligan I can get.
And second, Corinthian Paul gives us a wonderful picture of
the result of God's grace, which I would call the
ultimate mulligan. When we get saved and are in Christ,
he makes us a brand new creation. He does not
(02:12):
attempt to glue you together or make you a patched up,
better version of yourself. Instead, he makes a brand new you,
one that never existed before you were in Christ. That
is the ultimate do over, if ever there was one.
God's grace allows for new beginnings. One beautiful aspect of
(02:33):
God's grace is that it does not just allow for
new beginnings the moment you are saved. God's grace allows
for new beginnings all the time. These new beginnings are
available daily. Every time you sin and repent, there is
an opportunity for a new beginning. It is critical to
differentiate between how the world and sometimes the Church view
(02:55):
this when compared to how God views this. Many times
you approach God's grace like Peter when he asked Jesus
in Matthew eighteen twenty one, how many times should I
forgive my brother who sins against me? Peter, thinking he
was being generous, said seven. If you're familiar with the
story in Matthew eighteen, you know Jesus said not seven times,
(03:20):
but seventy times seven. This means God's grace will always
allow for forgiveness whenever there's repentance. The world may tire
of giving second chances, and sometimes the church feels like
it is ready to run out of mercy. A God
never does. His grace is a constant invitation to begin again,
(03:42):
regardless of how many times you may fall grace. For
a new year, I want you to think about this
past year. I can say with assurance that there were
choices you made you were proud of, and some you
made that would cause you to hang your head in shame.
You even struggle because you can't escape the choices you've made.
(04:04):
This is when you need to lean into God's grace
humbly approach his throne. It's no irony. It's called the
throne of grace. And when you do, you will find
his grace to help you in your time of need.
When you receive his grace, you can begin again your
nightly prayer. Father, thank you for your grace. I don't
(04:28):
know where I would be without it. As I think
through this past year, I recognize I need more of
your grace in my life. Your grace not only allows
for new beginnings, but your grace strengthens me for the
journey ahead as I approach this new year. Allow me
to know you more intimately, to feel the assurance of
(04:51):
your forgiveness, and to walk confidently in the new creation
you've made me to be. Help me release the weight
of mine past mistakes, knowing you have made all things new.
Let this here be the greatest revelation of grace I
have ever experienced in my life. Thank you for this
(05:12):
in Jesus' name. Amen. Three things to meditate upon. Number One,
Grace is not just necessary to come to Christ, it
is necessary to live for Christ. Two. None of us
is a byproduct of our greatness. We are all by
products of His grace. And Number three, grace is never
(05:36):
something you earn, but something you must freely receive. Reflect
on Tonight's prayer and share how God met you there.
Join the Your Nightly Prayer discussion on the Crosswalk Forum.
Thank you for listening to Your Nightly Prayer, a production
of the Life Audio Network. If you found comfort and
(05:58):
inspiration in tonight's prayer, be sure to follow and subscribe
on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Follow
Today so you never miss a moment of peace and
reflection to end your day.
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