Prayer for the courage to follow Christ every day
By Heidi Beg
Bible Reading:
“Anyone who wants to be my disciple must deny himself, take up the cross every day and follow me.” – Luke 9:23 (NIV)
Listen or read:
It takes courage to follow Jesus. It’s not one action. Every day, there is intentionality. We are often faced with challenging situations that require us to stand strong and follow Jesus’ example. This includes holding the tongue, expressing the truth, forgive someone, and resisting comparisons. These are internal struggles that require us to follow the beliefs of the Holy Spirit, even when no one else is watching.
You’ve been caught up in discussions and deep conversations around texting (that we should all avoid), and you want to send a proud and emotional response, but when you type it, you feel like the Lord is saying, “Don’t send that text.” It’s not easy to hear when we want to hear so badly, but it’s for our own good to have the courage to not hit the transmission. It is much better to let it go, surrender and let God fight our battle rather than to make the problem worse.
Following Christ is not always dramatic. It is often quiet and stable. Following Jesus, even if it is uncomfortable, we choose God’s way in our own way. When we want to take and act physical actions out badly, it can get us into trouble. We deny our flesh, strive to live like Jesus, give up what we want, and lead to a life of freedom. The cost of following Jesus is at risk of being misunderstood, standing alone, or letting go of control. This may feel like suffering when we have to give up on our selfish ways, but we suffer not because of suffering, but because of love for Jesus.
Having the courage to follow Jesus can become a daily struggle, even in difficult times, but the closer we get to Jesus, the more we see him resolve things as we surrender and let go of control, the easier it is to trust him in the difficulties. This is not only when you find it convenient, but every day. All decisions. Any situation. It’s not perfect, it’s consistent. Jesus denied his flesh and walked the hard path. God is not asking anything about you that you should not walk with you. He strengthens you every time. Every time you follow it, it will build your faith and give you a strregnth for the next opportunity to choose Jesus.
Let’s pray:
Lord, I face tough decisions every day, big and small. I have the courage to make the right choices in my thoughts, actions, and words. Give me the courage to follow your way and deny my way of flesh and the path of this world. Tell me the convictions of the Holy Spirit as I deal with friends, family and strangers. Let me teach you your way as I read your words and learn about the Bible people who lived courageously for you. Help me to deflect me in my life and eliminate anything that prevents me from following in your way. Help me become the light to those around me.
Your method is perfect. Your way is true. I don’t want to live by secular standards. I don’t want to live in fear of what I might cost to follow you. You are bigger than I face and you give strength to every situation I encounter. Thank you, Jesus for giving me courage. Thank you for giving me your true words. Bring people into my life, encourage me, and love to make me a prisoner. Speak more eloquent than the world so that I can recognize and listen to your voice. Praise your God for your perfect way and help me reflect it in my life.
With your precious name, we pray, amen.
Photo Credit: ©GetTyimages/Boonyachoat
Heidi Beg is a writer, speaker and ministry leader living in West Washington. She is the remarried mother of four who navigated mixed family life after losing her first husband to cancer in 2013. She longs to use her writing as a way to encourage others who have experienced loss and have led her path to healing. She contributed to her blog found at www.mrsheidivegh.com and shares stories and devotions of her loss and healing, her mother, and her mixed and complicated family. She graduated from Southern New Hampshire University with a degree in creative writing and English, and is working on her first book. Heidi is the director of the local church’s Women’s Ministry and has a deep heart to share Jesus with women and encourage them on walks of faith. When she isn’t writing, she loves to travel, read, craft and experiment in the kitchen. For more information, visit her Facebook and Instagram (@mrsheidivegh).
Pray through Psalm 15: Prayer to those who never shake up
Are you tired of being spiritually exhausted? You’ve come to the right place! Join us in the age of prayer, reflection and meditation. Put your day’s luggage behind you, refresh, update, and reconnect with God. Who is the one who never shakes you up? Explore poem sal 15 with today’s 10 minutes of devotion. If you like what you hear, you won’t miss an episode.
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