August 18 Prayer

August 18 Prayer
Matt. 19:22-30
What does it look like to love like Jesus ?
To bow down and love another and to really lay down my own agenda.
‘For humans it is impossible but for God all things are possible….the first will be last and the last will be first.’
When we give ourselves away, we will then grow in ways that are rooted in God's love.
The disciples gave up everything to follow Jesus and Peter boldly asked, ‘We left everything to follow you. What do we get out of it?”
It is in our human nature that always wants to know what we are going to get out of what we give?
If we give up this then what will we get back?
What are we going to get out of it?
It’s a measured and calculated love.
Not so with God. He gives his all for us, his love is benevolent.
So I ask, what is it in my heart that keeps me from loving sacrificially this way. Is it the need for approval, acceptance, security, fairness or control?.....
So I bow here to pray, giving my heart back to him knowing that’s where I belong.
This is where I find value and become a more fulfilled human being.
Here’s my heart, Lord
Take what is yours.
I trust you once again with all of my needs.
Laying down what I think I need,
Not trying to gain anything from what I give.
This is hard for me to do.
It is impossible.
Thank you that this is your work of grace in me.
You will accomplish the change in my heart to be able to love like you.
I lay down my own agendas.
I lift up those that are hurting and in need of recognition.
Let me see those that are vulnerable through your eyes and speak what is true to them.
How you see me is how you see others through the gaze of your love and mercy.
I rest under your broken and bruised feet.
‘Here’s my heart, Lord
Here’s my life, Lord ‘
I lay down everything before you….
‘For you are strong, you are sure,
You are life, you endure
You are good, always true
You are light breaking through.
You are more than enough
You are here, you are love,
You are hope, you are grace,
You’re all I have, you’re everything .
You’re all I need.
Here’s my heart , Lord
Speak what is true.’
Song lyrics -Jason Ingram
May the grace of God, the love of Christ and the communion of the Holy Spirit be in the center of all we do this day.
Amen