Doing Good with Christ as My Example

For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps.

He never sinned,

    nor ever deceived anyone.

He did not retaliate when he was insulted,

    nor threaten revenge when he suffered.

He left his case in the hands of God,

    who always judges fairly.

—1 Peter 2:21-23 (NLT)

Dear Father God,

Help me to do good—even if it means suffering because of it, as long as I remain here on earth.

Thank You for the perfect example set by Your Son, Jesus Christ.  Help me to follow in His steps.

Help me to turn my back on sin—and to be obedient to Christ in all my ways 

Help me to be honest, open, and transparent in all my affairs—to live in truth and never act deceitfully.

When I am reviled or insulted, help me to control my flesh and my thoughts—as I choose not to retaliate, or threaten to get even—even when I suffer unjustly as I follow after Christ.

Help me rest in the peace that comes as I continue to entrust my case, indeed my very life, into Your loving hands—with full confidence that You will always judge fairly.

Help me to do good—even if it means suffering because of it, as long as I remain here on earth.

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Don't Live Like Fools, But Like Those Who are Wise

So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise.  Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days.  Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do.

—Ephesians 5:15-17 (NLT)

Heavenly Father,

Help me to live like one who is wise—like one who makes the most of every opportunity You give—as I take the time to consider, understand, and submit to Your will, Your plan and Your purpose for me.

Help me to be careful how I live.  Help me not to live foolishly, but help me carefully consider and seek to understand what You would have me do—as I pour out my heart to You in prayer, search Your Word for truth, and as I listen for and trust the promptings of Your Spirit to guide me.

Reveal Your will for me, and help me to be willing to eagerly and obediently walk with You wherever You lead—knowing that Your plan is the very best path for me to walk, and will always bring You glory, honor, and praise.

And keep me always ready to accept Your invitation to join You in the opportunities You put before me to advance Your Kingdom here on earth—as I choose to live every day of my life with the intention and purpose of taking on more and more of the character of Jesus Christ.

Help me to live like one who is wise—like one who makes the most of every opportunity You give—as I take the time to consider, understand, and submit to Your will, Your plan and Your purpose for me.

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

To Walk Humbly in the Blessings of My God

John replied, “No one can receive anything unless God gives it from heaven.

—John 3:27 (NLT)

Heavenly Father,

Never allow me to forget that there is no talent that I have, no position I hold, no power I wield, and no possession I own, that You haven’t given to me—and help me to walk humbly before You in that understanding.

Keep me from the pride that comes when I am deceived into believing that the talents that I have are a result of my own striving—rather than the blessing of Your hand alone, which You intend to be used for Your glory and honor and praise.

Help me to represent Christ well in any position in which You have placed me—knowing that You have put me there in order to make me known, so that I would make You known to others.

Help me to use any power that You have entrusted to me with gentleness and kindness, to bring about good—as I reflect Your goodness in every thought I think, every decision I make, every word I speak, and every action I take.

And help me to hold any possession that You have given to me, with open hands lifted up to You—that You might use it, or take it from me, according to Your perfect plans and purposes, that Your will would be accomplished in me.

Never allow me to forget that there is no talent that I have, no position I hold, no power I wield, and no possession I own, that You haven’t given to me—and help me to walk humbly before You in that understanding.

In the name of Jesus, Amen.