A Prayer to Stand Firm

As you meditate on passages of Scripture slowly, the Spirit will sometimes deliver a much needed ‘charge’ for the day.  As I sat in 1 Corinthians, this is what happened for me. I prayed, I rejoiced. The Spirit illumines as we read, and He applies what we need–He alone will grow you in grace and understanding.  And if you are in Christ, He will do this. While you sit in the Word. Here is my contemplative prayer from that time:  

Lord, I hear Your marching orders: “Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith…be strong (1 Corinthians 16:13).  Give me eyes to see the truth today, that I would be on the alert, not missing what you have for me, and my family.  I do not want to mistake something as “good” if You do not call it good. You have called me to this marriage, may I be a wife-parter-helper-fellow sojourner to Your glory; may we enjoy one another in this season.  Help me to be on alert to what would ruin that, I will stand firm in the faith that You alone can sustain us. You have called me to motherhood, and I want to nurture, train and protect the little ones entrusted to me; I want to care for their hearts, minds, bodies, and souls–as You would have me to.  Strengthen me, fill me, that I may stand firm, that I would not become lazy, that I would turn to You with all my weariness and uneasiness. I am not strong, but You are, and You will be my ever present help and my fortress (Psalm 46).  

I hear You calling to me: “Let all that you do be done in love” (1 Corinthians 16:14).  O that I would have loving words and loving deeds. Replace my self focus, and my self pity, that I would abide in Your love and not seek another source.  Whether I am attending to everyday chores, training my children in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:14-16), enjoying deep conversations…remind me of Your love, I will abide in it.  Strengthen me to make the most of every moment–not letting any turn into selfish or lazy moments, but living the abundant life, in Your presence, for Your glory…even though I feel small.  This life You have given me is not a small calling, it is enough to be accepted and loved by You–and filled with Your Spirit–today let me walk in Your love.