All praise and honor is Yours, O Suffering Prince of Peace, for You have unlocked the doors of sin and death that once help me hostage. You have shown me a path and a journey that lead to eternal rest in You. As a captive of Satan and my worldly lusts, a ransom had been placed on my head … and only by Your pain, suffering and death could the required price be paid. I am thankful that You have received me as I am and claimed me for Your own. You’ve given me the choice of becoming a son and reaping an inheritance I do not deserve. Through a contrite heart and true sorrow for my offenses committed against You and my fellow man, You’ve taken me into Your arms, washed me in Your blood and given me the way to happiness and fulfillment. I am hopeful that Your example of selflessness and obedience will become my guide in facing the challenges of daily life and the temptations I know will surely come.
Like You, I too sometimes feel like I am being lead into the wilderness to be tempted. For both Satan and the world are both subtly and boldly trying to draw me away from You and into a self-centered life with them. I know that I can never show true obedience if I never get an opportunity to disobey. In addition, I believe that the lessons in my life do not come about to hurt me, rather to keep me humble and show forth the depth of my faith. Because I am confident that testing will come, I pray for Your assistance in helping me stay alert and ready for them when they do come. I want my beliefs to be rooted and grounded in You so that they can hold up under pressure. I trust that under the tutoring of the Holy Spirit and the power of Your words that my faith will withstand whatever is sent against it. I know that if You had given up and abandoned the mission to which You’d been sent … my opportunity to gain Heaven would have been lost. Therefore when my temptations are especially strong, I will place my trust in You and Your Word to help me prevail.
As I reflect on all that You’ve suffered and endured for me, I feel true sorrow for being weak and succumbing to sin. Save me from myself and lead me successfully to my home with You in Heaven. When I drift away from You, come seeking me like the one sheep who is separated from the ninety-nine. Hide me in Your heart and protect me from the fiery darts of my enemies. Help me listen intently to Your words of guidance and instruction. As the fruit of my repentance, wash me in Your love and give me the fresh start You won for me on Calvary. My heart yearns for more of You in everything I do. I want to be a lamp shining forth the light You intended for every man to have when You died for them. Unlike the fathers of old, who rent their garments in frustration and sorrow, help me rent my heart so that I will be willing to follow in Your footsteps. And it’s in Jesus’ name I pray. AMEN!!
Psalms 17:5 My steps have held to Your steps; my feet have not slipped.