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A Prayer about Finding Freedom in the Long-Expected Jesus

by | Dec 8, 2023 | Daily Prayer, Gospel living, Spiritual Growth

A Prayer about Finding Freedom in the Long-Expected Jesus

But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life. Romans 6:22

Lord Jesus,

This morning we are meditating 

on the good news about you—

our “long-expected Jesus,”

as Charles Wesley wrote about 

in one of my favorite Advent hymns.

Indeed, Jesus, you were “born to set thy people free.”

Thank you for freeing me from…

[name some of the things Jesus has set you free from…].

Thank you for releasing me from my fears and sins 

[name some of the fears and sins he has released you from…].

Thank you for being my strength in weakness 

[name some of your weaknesses].

Thank you for being my consolation when I am sorrowful 

[name some of your sorrows…].

Most of all, thank you 

for letting me “find my rest in thee.” 

In your long-expected name. Amen.

Read Isaiah 61:1-2; 2 Corinthians 4:14; Romans 6:22.

Get Elizabeth’s Advent devotional for free here: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/34no8c805q.



 

A Prayer about the Perfection God Promises

by | Jul 2, 2022 | Daily Prayer, Theology

A Prayer about the Perfection God Promises

You therefore must be perfect as your Heavenly Father is perfect. Matthew 5:48

Heavenly Father,

As a recovering perfectionist,

I confess, this verse always makes me anxious

when I first read it.

But then I reread Dr. Dan Doriani’s commentary on Matthew,

and he reminds me,

the command is also a promise as phrased in Greek,

“You shall be perfect as your Heavenly Father is perfect.”

As he says, the word “perfect” also reveals

how completely inadequate we are

to live out Jesus’ commands

apart from his mercy and grace

operating in our lives.

The word “perfect” means “mature and complete,”

but we know we’re nowhere near

as mature and complete as God is,

so it must be a process.

Indeed,

becoming mature and complete

takes a lifetime of your sanctifying work

through the Spirit.

Becoming mature and complete

doesn’t mean “work harder”;

it means “depend on God more,”

because you are the God

who makes new selves out of old selves (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Becoming mature and complete

doesn’t mean “never make a mistake”;

it means “run to God

with all of your mistakes,

weaknesses, and sin.”

To be perfect

is to trust in you alone

to finish the good work

you began in us in Christ Jesus (Philippians 1:6).

In Jesus’ perfecting name. Amen.

Read Matthew 5:17-48; Philippians 3:12-16.

A Prayer about Becoming Trustworthy and True

by | Jun 3, 2022 | Daily Prayer, kingdom living, Spiritual Growth

A Prayer about Becoming Trustworthy and True

Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ…Ephesians 4:15

Trustworthy and True Jesus,

Yesterday we prayed about 

your trustworthy, true nature.

Today, we ask that you would, 

by your Spirit, so unite us to yourself, 

that we become like you.

We want to be trustworthy and true people, 

dependable and honest. 

We want to be people who show up 

when we say we’ll be there. 

We want to be people 

who give advice 

infused with prayer and your wisdom. 

We want to be people who allow others

to rest and relax

because they feel safe and comfortable in our presence. 

In this world of uncertainty and unpredictability, 

make us carriers of your trustworthy and true nature. 

In your faithful name. Amen.

Romans 12:1-2; Ephesians 4:22-24. 

A Prayer about Our Heavenly Potter

by | Nov 21, 2021 | Daily Prayer, Spiritual Growth

A Prayer about Our Heavenly Potter

Heavenly Potter, 

Let us not miss the beauty and truth 

of the vivid image you gave Jeremiah. 

You showed him your mercy and kindness 

and determination 

to continue to shape your people 

into lovely and purposeful 

instruments of your peace and grace. 

Not only did you form us in the womb 

with beauty and usefulness 

to display your glory (Jeremiah 1:5), 

as we are misshapen by sin, 

you work in us by the power of the Spirit 

to continue to conform us to the image of your Son, 

our Savior, Jesus Christ. 

Sometimes it takes being smushed up 

and thrown back on that potter’s wheel again, 

and that doesn’t usually feel good. 

But we can know that in all things, 

you are at work, 

graciously, lovingly, 

tenderly, and firmly 

refashioning our hearts (Romans 8:28). 

And we can look forward to the day 

that we will be like your Son, 

reflecting his radiance 

to you and to the broken world, 

as you created and designed us to do.

In Jesus’ shaping name. Amen. 

Read Jeremiah 18:1-12. 

Want to read more about thanking God while we live in the “already” and “not yet”? I’ve begun two new newsletters on Substack, one on living in hope in the already and not yet, and the other on aging, caregiving, and the end of life. Please check them both out!

Perfect Timing

by | Sep 23, 2009 | Learning Story

I don’t know about you, but I often become frustrated with how long the process of sanctification, making me more like Jesus, seems to take. Iaian Duguid reminds us that we are already perfectly beautiful in the eyes of God because we now own Christ’s righteousness — we are ‘justified.’ He also reminds us that even as we struggle in our sin, we have much to be thankful about right now. God is working in us through the gospel of grace, and his timing is perfect!

“In Christ we have someone who has taken the death that we deserved and has paid fully for our sins. His perfect obedience is now credited to our account, exactly as if it were our own. In him we are justified freely right now, sinners though we are. In that reality lies our hope, our peace, and our comfort in the weary wilderness. How long, then, will you and I refuse to believe in this God who has so wonderfully demonstrated his love for us in so many ways? How long will we trust in ourselves and judge others? How long will we become angry and frustrated over our own lack of sanctification and the failures of others?

We must look to the Lord and submit our hearts to him, trusting in his goodness and mercy, believing that his timing is perfect, being filled with thankfulness for his death and resurrection. We must ask God to teach us wisdom and patience, grace and gentleness, and, above all, love. The day will come when our earthly struggles and rebellions will be over, and the Lord will welcome us into his presence; then all our frustrations will finally be over. Until then, the good news of his gospel of grace will faithfully sustain our thirsty souls step by step along the way.” Iaian Duguid, Numbers

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