A Prayer about the Work God Will Complete in Us

Do you know that God is making you into a masterpiece?

And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:6

Sanctifying God, Saving Son,

We come to you confessing—

 it’s hard to believe that you are truly making us 

into people who will be “pure and blameless” 

on the day Christ returns (Phil. 1:10).

It is far easier to see 

our self-preserving, 

self-serving,

self-promoting,

hearts 

than hearts full of love and joy,

growing inside of us 

in this very moment 

through the work of your powerful Spirit. 

This morning, you have favored me 

with a view of a thin slice 

of a crescent moon 

hovering near the horizon over the sea

even as the sky turns orange 

with the coming sunrise. 

I pray for my friends and for me 

that we will imagine our sanctification (growing in holiness) 

just like that crescent moon: 

We know that moon 

will in a few short days 

be full, 

enormous, 

smiling and shining in the dark sky. 

May we recognize that the “Sun of righteousness” 

who rises with healing in his wings (Malachi 4:2) 

is lighting up our hearts 

with the “fruit of righteousness 

that comes through Jesus Christ” (Phil. 1:11) 

this very moment. 

And may we see 

that you are creating this masterpiece in us 

all for your glory 

that all may praise you. 

How grateful we are, Lord!

Amen.

Read Philippians 1:3-11.