To Become the Servant of Everyone Else

After they arrived at Capernaum and settled in a house, Jesus asked his disciples, “What were you discussing out on the road?”  But they didn’t answer, because they had been arguing about which of them was the greatest.  He sat down, called the twelve disciples over to him, and said, “Whoever wants to be first must take last place and be the servant of everyone else.”

—Mark 9:33-35 (NLT)

Heavenly Father,

Let everything that I say and do, the deepest thoughts of my mind, and every hidden motive of my heart, always be pleasing to You—so that I never have to be ashamed when I am asked to account for them.

Help me to guard against being caught up in chasing after any man-made ideas of what success or achievement might be—only to find that my own self-promotion has kept me from Your higher plans and better purposes for my life.

Help me to watch that I don’t allow my own deep-rooted insecurities or foolish pride to cause me to put too much stock in the power of a position, or the amount of prestige it might happen to carry—but humbly remember that I am nothing without You.

Help me to fully understand that all of my energy, time and talents should be directed to knowing Christ for myself and making Him known to others—by following His example of leadership and reflecting His love—as I become a servant of all.

Let everything that I say and do, the deepest thoughts of my mind, and every hidden motive of my heart, always be pleasing to You—so that I never have to be ashamed when I am asked to account for them.

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Not Just a Lot of Talk

For the Kingdom of God is not just a lot of talk; it is living by God’s power.

—1 Corinthians 4:20 (NLT)

Heavenly Father,

Let Your Kingdom be seen in me, not just by the words that I say, but even more so in the way I live—according to Your life-giving power at work within me.

By the power of Your Holy Spirit within me, continue to change my heart so that my walk—the evidence that proves what I truly believe—more perfectly reflects my talk—those things I claim to believe.

Help me to see that my understanding of the spiritual realm, over which You are sovereign, is not realized merely by knowing the right words to say—but that it is revealed and made alive by my personal experience of the power of Your Holy Spirit working in me, through me, and all around me.

Help me to live by submitting my will, my wants, and my desires more completely to Your authority over me, so that I might experience truly living by Your power—and so that Your Kingdom authority would be fully established, both in my life and here upon the earth.

Let Your Kingdom be seen in me, not just by the words that I say, but even more so in the way I live—according to Your life-giving power at work within me.

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Come Before His Presence with Thanksgiving!

Oh come, let us sing to the LORD!
Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation.
Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving;
Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms.
For the LORD is the great God,
And the great King above all gods.

—Psalm 95:1-3 (NKJV)

My LORD and my KING,

Establish within me new, stronger and truer pathways of thought, word and action—pathways that spring forth out of a heart overflowing with gratitude for who You are and for all the wondrous things You have done for me!

Let songs and shouts of joy erupt from my grateful heart and be lifted up to You in spontaneous praise and worship—for You are the Rock, the immovable and firm foundation that every aspect of my life is built upon! You are the God of my salvation—the author of my freedom over the sin of this evil world!

Let me come before You as Your beloved child—entering confidently into Your Holy Presence and remaining and abiding with You, that I might know You as You are—and continue to give my life back to You in thanksgiving!

Let me always praise You with shouts and songs of joy—for You are the Great and Sovereign God!  You are far above all other so-called gods, and the Great and Almighty King of all, forever! 

Thank You for choosing me to be Your very own child, for blessing my life with every good thing, and for allowing me experience the joy and peace that comes as I choose You back—as my only God and King, forevermore!

Establish within me new, stronger and truer pathways of thought, word and action—pathways that spring forth out of a heart overflowing with gratitude for who You are and for all the wondrous things You have done for me!

In the name of Jesus, Amen.