Prayers to Help Me “Become”…
The goal of Christian spiritual formation is for a Christ follower’s actions and words to reflect the character of Jesus, of whom scripture says, was the reflection of God. (See 1 John 1) While I am increasingly aware of how short I fall, I do believe this desire pleases God, and God wants to help.
Today’s post contains scripture references and prayers to help us grow in becoming more like Jesus, a process that can at times feel discouraging. I’ll begin with encouraging words from Romans as translated in The Message:
… the moment we get tired in the waiting, God’s Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don’t know how or what to pray, it doesn’t matter. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans. He knows us far better than we know ourselves, knows our pregnant condition, and keeps us present before God. That’s why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good.
God knew what he was doing from the very beginning. He decided from the outset to shape the lives of those who love him along the same lines as the life of his Son (Romans 8:26-29a MSG)
Here are three prayers, all based on scriptures, that have been meaningful to me. If any resonate with you, I invite you to join me in praying them.
I call the first one,
Garden Prayer:
God, Who Sees,
You know the depths of my soul even I cannot understand. You know how often I am preoccupied—even insistent—on my will.
Please, Lord, give me the strength and resolve to pray like Jesus:
Not my will, but Thy will be done.
Amen
(Matthew 26:39-42)
Next,
Take Off and Put on Prayer:
God, Who Cares and Understands,
Enable me to make progress in this journey to which you’ve called me. Help me to take off everything that bogs me down physically, emotionally, intellectually, and spiritually. Help me to put on that which will help me run the race of life faster, longer, and better.
Help me keep my eyes focused on Jesus, to mimic how he did life, inviting him to write and edit a good story of my life.
Amen
(Hebrews 12:1 &2)
Finally,
Wisdom Prayer:
Good, Generous God, Source of All Truth,
You know all.
I don’t always know what it looks like to submit my will to your will nor what it is I need to ‘take off’ and ‘put on.’ But YOU do!
Will you please show me, help me comprehend, and then empower me to act on that which the Holy Spirit reveals to my frail and often stubborn human spirit?
I need your wisdom!
Amen
(James 1:5)
I believe as I pray these prayers with a sincere and humble attitude, I will discover many ‘ah-ha’ connections in which a Divine Spirit will converge with my human spirit.
Blessings to all as we continue to listen as the Sacred instructs us on our journeys …
