My Wise Teacher, as I go through life encountering hardships, I seek Your help in overcoming them. I need for You to be the glue that holds the pieces of my life together when everything seems to be falling apart. When emotional pain, disappointment and failure come as wedges to separate me from Your love, fill my life with Your kindness, or surely I will perish. You chose me as Your own and Your nurturing and guidance show me the way to walk in Your footsteps. Because You are God, I know You can teach me how to overcome my struggles. I want to emulate You by encouraging others and living a life of good works. Help me overcome the desire to do my own thing and, instead, allow You to conform me into Your image. Increase my faith to believe You have the desire to intercede on my behalf and, increase my trust to believe You want to help me overcome my troubles.
My hope is that You will always be there to steady and guide me. Through Your wisdom and understanding, prepare me to handle the storms that will surely come my way. In Your counsel and might, show me that any problem I face will be overcome if I allow You to take control. Teach me how to know You better, love you more completely and become an unselfish servant. Give me the direction I need to change and become a valued part of Your Kingdom. Help me no longer judge things by what I see with my eyes or hear with my ears, but by listening to that small, quiet voice from within … following Your peace … or, getting confirmation from Your Word. I never want to be puffed up, instead, being humble knowing that I am nothing without You. As I draw closer to You, help me show others the reality of who You are, the depth of Your unconditional love and how they can be conformed to Your will.
Being conformed to Your image requires change and change requires a willing spirit, persistence and patience. Rome was not built in a day, nor will my fleshly, fallen self be transformed in a day either. Tackling things one day at a time is how to start. If I look at the many days, many failures and many disappointments I will have to endure, the task may seem too daunting. But, if I muster the courage, commitment and focus to do what is right … develop a pattern of righteous living … resolve to get up and try again … I know I will gain control over my flesh, thus overcoming evil with good and remaining close to You. If I ignore You, the study of Your Word and prayer, I know I am becoming selfish and self-centered. Help me become conformed to Your will so that I can please You … be a blessing to others … and find peace and contentment. And, it’s in Jesus’ name I pray. AMEN!!
Romans 8:29 For those God foreknew He also predestinated to be conformed to the likeness of His Son, that He might be the first born among many brothers.