Lord Of My Heart

But make sure in your hearts that Christ is Lord. Always be ready to give an answer to anyone who asks you about the hope you have. Be ready to give the reason for it. But do it gently and with respect.

--1 Peter 3:15 (NIRV)

Lord God,

Rule and reign in my heart, so that I might help others find Jesus.

Help me to keep my heart sanctified for You as I strive to:

·        Test every thought of my mind, out of fear and reverence for You.

·        Devote myself to worshiping You, for You alone are worthy.

·        Draw all my strength from Your infinite power.

·        Trust in Your mercy and grace...goodness and faithfulness.

·        Submit myself to Your wisdom and understanding.

·        Reflect Christ, in love.

Help me truly allow Christ to be Lord of my heart—so that my actions will invite others to question me about the hope that I have and I will be ready to tell them, respectfully and with humble gentleness, of the wonderful works of my Lord and Savior.

Rule and reign in my heart, so that I might help others find Jesus.

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

No Room For Pride

Pride goes before destruction,
    a haughty spirit before a fall. 

--Proverbs 16:18 (NIV)

Heavenly Father,

Help me to truly know my heart—and drive out any pride by replacing it with Your perfect love.

Show me those places in my heart where the ugliness of pride is hiding and remove it far from me, so that my words and actions would not bring injury and destruction to others and my “better-than-you” attitude would not lead to my own collapse and destruction.

I don’t want to think more highly of myself than I ought to—nor do I want to think of someone else as less than me, just because they have demonstrated their need for a Savior just as I do daily.

Help me to see others through Your eyes and with the same love and compassion You pour out on me.

Help me to truly know my heart—and drive out any pride by replacing it with Your perfect love.

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

In Grateful Response

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.

--Romans 12:1 (NIV)

Gracious and Merciful God,

Help me to worship You, with all that I am, in grateful response to Your boundless mercy and grace.

Because of everything You have done for me, I want to sacrifice to You my will over my body, soul and spirit, and subject my whole being to Your will and Your purposes for me.

In light of the final atoning sacrifice of Your Son for my sin, help me to make the only sacrifice that is left to make—that is, a living sacrifice of my life, set apart for Your use,  in sincere devotion to You, as my thankful response.

I want to offer true and proper worship to You every moment of each new day, so I ask You to help me by reminding me of Your mercy and grace throughout this day.

Help me to worship You, with all that I am, in grateful response to Your boundless mercy and grace.

In the name of Jesus, Amen

Soul Food

And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.”

--John 6:35 (NKJV)

Heavenly Father,

Thank You that just as bread brings life to my body, so Your Son, Jesus, brings life to my soul.

When I seek Him out and come to Him, He always satisfies my soul. 

As long as I bring every desire of my heart and every concern of my life to Him, and place it in His hands, and remain in the fullness of His presence, believing in Him, my soul no longer hungers or thirsts.

Help me to realize that when I am in any way unsettled in my soul, it is because I have strayed from Him…and I only have to return to Him for the longings of my soul to be satisfied.

Thank You that just as bread brings life to my body, so Your Son, Jesus, brings life to my soul.

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Outside Of The Boat

“Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”

 “Come,” he said.

Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.  But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”

Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”

--Matthew 14:28-31 (NIV)

Saving Lord,

Grant me the boldness to leave those places that, in my mind, are places of safety when You call me to leave them behind. 

Help me to keep my eyes on You and not allow the threats of those things which surround me, steal my resolve to follow Your calling in total trust and faith, so I can accomplish that which to me might seem impossible.

If my faith fails me, give me the wisdom to cry out to You, with the full assurance that You will hear my cries and rescue me.

In the name of Jesus, Amen.