O God of Peace and Love, I know that when I gave my life to You, You began a good work that continues on until this day. Your work began when You died on the cross in my place. Now the Holy Spirit has moved into my life and is enabling me to become more like You. This is the process of Christian growth and maturity that You call all Believers to experience. Despite knowing these things, I sometimes feel as though I’m not making much spiritual progress as fast as I should. When I go through these times, I must remember that when You start something You see it through. It isn’t how fast I change that matters it’s how fast the changes take hold in my heart. Even though I may think I am failing … You never do. I may be a piece of stiff, stubborn clay but in Your hands I become malleable and abled to be shaped into the person You want me to be.
I know I can count on Your grace and power to help me grow until Your work is complete. You never give up on me … why should I give up on myself? You promised to complete the work You started in me so I must be patient to allow You the time to develop within me the things that will make me more like You. You know exactly the right pace to develop me. Whenever I feel incomplete, unfinished or distressed by my shortcomings, I can console myself on the fact that You always honor Your word and do exactly what You say You will do. I cannot let my present condition rob me of the joy of knowing You and inhibit my ability to draw closer to You. I am a work in progress and with the Holy Spirit to guide me, I know I will become what You want of me. To be a success, I must constantly reflect on how You endured Your trials when I go through mine.
One of the things You want me to start discerning is asking “what is best?” This gives the ability to differentiate between right and wrong, good and bad, vital and trivial. I should see Your will in whatever I do and pray for moral discernment so I can maintain the morals and values that You hold in high esteem. I must work diligently to reflect the character traits that flow from my relationship with You. There is no other way for me to become more like You than do it Your way. I must realize that my current circumstances should not hinder me from doing Your will. I must seek Your help in turning bad situations into good ones. I must never forget that how I act in each situation I face will reflect what I believe. And it’s in Jesus’ name I pray. AMEN!!
Phillipians 1:9-10 And this is my prayer: That your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day the Lord returns.