A Prayer for Loneliness After Moving

Father, the boxes are unpacked but nothing here feels like mine yet. I do not know which coffee shop to claim, which neighbor to wave to, which street leads home without a map. I left a whole life behind, and the silence of this new place reminds me of everyone I am missing.

I confess I keep replaying the goodbyes and dreading how long it will take to build all of that again. Making friends from scratch as an adult feels slow and exhausting and a little lonely.

So I bring You this unfamiliar address. You went ahead of Your people into strange country and never led them anywhere You were not already standing. You are not a newcomer on this street.

Steady me as I start over. Send me one open door, one friendly face, one small thing that begins to feel like belonging. Give me the courage to say hello instead of taking the long way around.

I release the home I left and the ache of this in-between season. You command me to be strong because You go with me wherever I go. You are already at home in this city, so I am not truly a stranger here. Amen.