A CEF volunteer shared this prayer that poured from her heart to paper after reading “Simply Jesus: Experiencing the One Your Heart Longs For”, a devotional on Philippians Chapter 3 by Joseph M Stowell. Passing it on to you – a prayer for the year ahead…
Dear Jesus,
I have trusted You as Savior. I want to experience You: not just know about You,
but to know You intimately as a dear friend, rather than an acquaintance.
This is Your Father’s desire and You made it possible at the Cross.
You are waiting for me to take time to listen, talk with You, practice Your presence,
walk with You in that same selfless obedience You showed the Father.
This isn’t an easy 1-2-3 step process is it?
You want me to seek You when I stumble.
I need to run to You first, tell You I blew it, claim Your forgiveness once again.
You want me to value Your opinion above anyone else’s.
I need to count You as my best friend and my authority – boss, counselor, lawyer!
You want me to find joy in the most difficult circumstances.
I need to place my trust in Your trustworthy hands, knowing You hold the future
and promise to make something good.
You want me to honor the people You have placed in my life.
I need to acknowledge authority, respect and obey.
I need to have intimate friendships with people who will hold me accountable
for thoughts, words and actions – not replacing You, but coming alongside.
You want me to enjoy the indwelling presence and power of Your Spirit, my Helper.
I need to cling to You, not quenching the Spirit’s work by holding onto sin, bitterness,
my rights, revenge.
Amen! May it be so, Lord Jesus,
as You work in my life both to will and to do of Your good pleasure!
“I gave up all that inferior stuff so I could know Christ personally experience His resurrection power, be a partner in His suffering, and go all the way with Him to death itself.
Philippians 3:10 (The Message)