7 Bright Verses and Prayers for the First Day of Summer

“The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple” (Psalm 119:130).

Lord,

One feature of summer we love most is long days. All the other seasons are lovely, but spring brought cloudy grey skies and fog. Winter and Fall narrow the window of daylight. But summer brings our minds and bodies alive and dissipates the fog that seemed to settle deep inside. Thank you, Jesus, for many hours of sunlight. But also, Father, use this time of year to help me remember the light that matters most: Jesus, who is light. “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12).

Help us to sustain our awe and wonder in the presence of that light throughout the summer, whether from the top of a high hill or in the low places. Give us a new way of seeing little things like light shining through trees and leaving shadow patterns, or those same patterns rippling on the surface of a pond or a backyard pool. They show us your whimsy and creative joy, but also your power to break through every dark thing in the world, including the dark things in us. Father, when I get excited about the first day of summer, remind me that you are still the best reason for my great joy.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen.

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“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men” (Colossians 3:23).

God in heaven,

Please honor the honest and disciplined workers who want to make the most out of this summer, starting from day one of summer. They have been waiting and planning, bringing in stock and hiring staff; cleaning, repainting, repairing. Now they are ready to open the doors of small shops and food trucks all around the United States. These small business owners, their families, and employees have been anticipating this day for months. Please reward their hard work with busy tills and a sense of satisfaction about a job well done.

Protect them, too, against sin. Please help them to prevent shoplifting and to handle petty crime with mercy and wisdom. Cover their workplaces against vandalism and violence. But more importantly, protect hearts from greed. Perhaps a business owner will mark the first day of summer with a journal entry indicating what you placed on his or her heart to pray, so that this individual can return regularly to those prayers and thoughts in order to stay grounded. Money fears have a way of distracting us from your glory; but Father, all we have is yours. Please help us to keep that in mind.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen.

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“And he said to them, ‘Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while’” (Mark 6:31).

Lord,

Thank you for times of rest. In summer, I see the possibility of sitting still, of pulling my camping chair onto the beach and opening a book, a sun hat covering my head, legs lathered in sunscreen, and a big bottle of water at my side. After nine (or more) months of unrelenting busyness, so many of us really need to slow down.

Father, once we get comfortable, it is hard to get back out of the chair and do anything, and sometimes we get a little too comfortable with rest. Jesus, fill us with your longing to continue being productive and the discernment to choose rest when it is best for us and convenient to those we serve. That said: Father, what a gift rest is! You rested after creating everything; Jesus rested in order to seek your presence and instruction. God, I trust you, and that makes it possible for me to put down my work and just be near you, knowing you are the one who looks after me ultimately. Thank you for summer and the relaxing times ahead.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen.

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“Esau ran to meet him and embraced him and fell on his neck and kissed him, and they wept” (Genesis 33:4).

Dear God,

Family reunions can be so sweet, Lord, and summer provides a special opportunity to see our loved ones again. Maybe we have been separated for years, or maybe for mere weeks, but summer opens up the possibility of spending time with siblings, parents, and cousins to promote connection in a special way. God, thank you for these opportunities to go boating, explore in the woods, take long hikes, or to sit around a campfire roasting hot dogs and marshmallows, watching the stars during a warm night. Maybe all these magical elements will open hearts to deepen those family connections.

But reunions can be stressful too. Lord, please ease the tension when we have not seen each other for a long time, or when there has been conflict, or the reunion just feels unnatural. Families are complicated. And, Lord, when many people meet, we struggle to keep an eye on all the little ones too; this is a practical concern, but you are Sovereign over these details: keep watch over them, Father. Mostly, God, please make a way so that distance will be no issue. Let everyone can be included, with a place around the fire and a spare chair for everyone who wants to be part of that big group hug.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen.

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“Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?” (Isaiah 43:19).

Lord,

For months we have been planning what we would do when summer finally arrived, and we want to make the most of that time by trying something that would be difficult or impossible the rest of the year. That could include taking a trip, learning to water ski, or joining a tree-planting expedition. Not everyone’s idea of “rest” is physically restful. In fact, lots of young people will use this time to go on missions or to be camp counselors for the first time, or they will work in a far-off city to experience independence while earning money for school. Others will go bungee jumping and parasailing, creating thrilling new memories.

Father, new things are not always good things: make us wise. “Exciting” is not always best, especially if I get caught up in feeling excited and neglect to consider the possible consequences of an undertaking. Help me to spend only what I can afford. Show me what my body is capable of before I register for the Camino trail or a cross-country biking expedition, or even short-lived thrills like cliff jumping and white water rafting. But if these activities are unwise for any reason, Lord, let me find enjoyment in quieter “thrills.”

In Jesus’ name,

Amen.

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“After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages” (Revelation 7:9).

God,

We were all made in your image, but I sometimes forget that my culture and way of doing life is not the only, or best way. People around this country and around the world have stories to share, some of them about why they do not follow you; others with tales of encouragement which will stir me up to follow you better or with greater confidence. I won’t know, however, if I don’t go places that are unfamiliar to me and where I will rub shoulders with strangers.

Make me bold to visit a new city, state, or country, Father. Make me bold, while there, to talk with people about you. Please give me a patient and wise heart that will listen and discern what is really being said, perhaps between the lines, about a person’s heart. Maybe you will provide me with the chance to share your good news; perhaps others will pass on something that I can share in my own community as an encouragement to my church family. But I don’t want to live in a bubble, Lord. That would be a depressing waste of all you gave me.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen.

Final Thoughts

The first day of summer brings with it so many possible beginnings, and a sense that time is short: we only get a few months to work with. And summer feels different in Colorado than it does in New Mexico.

Not everyone likes this time of year; there are skiers and heat-sensitive individuals who find summer punishing. Please inspire them, God, to experience joy on the first day of summer when they would otherwise be uncomfortable under the hot sun or frustrated by their longing for cooler-weather activities. For those of us who love this season, though, please help us to make your purpose and glory our authentic joy.

Amen.

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