God, this world is so evil and wicked. Yet it specializes in calling evil good and good evil. For example, abortion is labeled as women's reproductive freedom and healthcare. When abortion, the killing of an innocent human life in the womb, is a sin that leads to bondage and wounds. It is impossible to sin against You and experience freedom and healing of any kind. Just because people deny You and think that there are no consequences for our actions does not make it so. Far too many have listened to the lies of the devil that we can play a part in a sin that leads to death and that it will make lives better, not worse.
You are the Creator of Life. Life can only be lived at its fullest when we know and follow You. Yet, we've decided for ourselves what is good and evil rather than humbling ourselves before You and submitting to Your will. We do not view sex as a sacred gift enjoyed in the sanctity of marriage between a biological male and a biological female for a lifetime to reproduce Your image. We no longer see every human life, from the time of conception, as created in Your image with intrinsic value to be protected and not discarded. We have mocked Your transcendent wisdom while using sex to satisfy our fleshy cravings and trivializing and redefining marriage to be whatever we want. In our defiance of You we proudly shed innocent human blood while denying our need for the blood of Jesus that was shed to forgive our sins.
Jesus the world is messed up but I'm so thankful that You came to seek and save that which was lost. It was through Your death that You destroyed the one, satan, who holds the power of death. And You have sent Your followers to continue Your rescue mission proclaiming life until You return to make everything new. You have called us to do more than gather weekly singing and preaching the gospel from inside our 'church' buildings. Stir us up by Your Spirit to truly be Your salt and light in the earth in this hour of human history.
You have given every member of the body of Christ a role to play. Show me and empower me to play the role that You have for me. Prepare and position me for the place where You want to use me in the battle. Just like You did David when the Israelite army was lined up across the Valley of Elah from the Philistine army as Goliath was daily yelling out his taunts. Make me a man who is jealous for Your glory, who knows that there is a great cause, and that the battle is not mine but Yours.
Help me to be sensitive to Your Spirit and obedient to Your Word to go where You want and to do what You say. What You have for me to do in Your Kingdom is not predicated on people's opinions and thoughts but on Your plans, power, and purpose in my life. When it came to David, his own family did not realize the plans You had for him. If it were up to them, he would have been left in the field tending the sheep. They would have never picked him to be the King of Israel who would lead them to victory many times in the name of the Lord.
Keep me hidden in obscurity until it is Your appointed time for You to use me in Your Kingdom agenda. When the time is right help me to boldly step forward in Your will with humility. Help me to depend on You Lord to do what only You can do to, in, and through my life. Do not let me shrink back in fear any longer feeling inadequate because I am looking at me rather than You. For You have not given me a spirit of fear but of power, love, and a sound mind.
Forgive me for not believing You. Forgive me for not expecting You to do great and mighty things to, in, and through my life. Forgive me for thinking that my sins are greater than Your grace. Forgive me for wanting acceptance and validation from people. Forgive me wanting things in this world more than You the Maker of Heaven and earth. Please help me to fully and freely avail myself to You. Do not let me any longer hold back from You what only and rightfully belongs to You. May I experience great intimacy with You that overflows through and out of me to others for the edification of the Church and evangelization of the world. Amen!!!
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