O God of Perfection, Your life on this earth was given to me as an example of how I should lead my life. You were compassionate, loving, suffered for sins You did not commit and never gave in to the cravings of the flesh or Devil inspired temptations. Through Your example, You’ve shown me the way I am to live for You. If I am to call myself a Christian, I ought to walk as You walked. You have called me to be an imitator of You by walking in love and laying aside my selfish desires in order to show Your unconditional love in dealing with others. In order to do what You ask, I must learn to think like You … and that can only come from reading, meditating and conforming my life to Your Word. It also requires opening my heart to the Holy Spirit so He can show me the path for attaining the goals You set out for me. Show me the way of a servant so I can learn to walk unselfishly.
I want others to see You in what I say and do. In the same way that You humbled Yourself and became obedient to the wishes of Your Father … I want to humble myself and be obedient to You. When You came to earth, You could have chosen to be rich and powerful, but You came as a humble servant. I want to mimic Your life by not wanting to be served but, instead, serving others regardless of any personal sacrifices. In washing the Apostles feet, You demonstrated the unimportance of status and self-importance. In turn, You’ve asked me to love my brothers and sisters unconditionally because You loved me when I was not loveable. Should I do nothing less? By laying aside my selfish/self-centered motivations, I put myself in a position to give You and my fellow man their rightful place in my life. I find it easier to follow Your lead when I obey the two great commands … love God and love my neighbor.
Your qualities, which I often lack, are patience and understanding. If I can develop these qualities, I know that I will become like-minded with You. Since my goal is to love and serve You, it is with singleness of mind and heart that I want to emulate Your life. Help me learn to forgive others the way that You forgive me. Not begrudgingly, but with joy and a desire to be reconciled. After all, haven’t You given me chance after chance to overcome my failures … should I be any less forgiving of others? I want to stop making judgements of others and, instead, take up their burdens the way You’ve taken up mine. As I go forward, I want to keep my focus on Your example of how to find joy in whatever I go through, endure patiently the difficulties I face, cling to the hope of a better tomorrow and overcome evil with good. And it is in Jesus’ name I pray. AMEN!!
I John 2:6 He who says he abides in Him ought himself also walk just as He walked.