Prayer Focus: Living for God, not Man
Central Scripture: “Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.” (Galatians 1:10)
Prayer:
Gracious, most merciful Father, thank You for reaching out and taking hold of us. Thank You for going to unfathomable lengths to draw us back to You, and thank You for not giving up on us while we waited to make a decision. Thank You for not giving up on us every day, while we stumble and falter and do such a poor job so often of living up to what You’ve created us for.
Lord God, I pray for my family today that we would live for Your approval only. The approval of others is always up ahead, like a carrot dangling, and we can never quite reach it. The expectations of the world are always changing and are relentlessly demanding, but Your yoke is easy and Your burden is light.
I pray today that my husband and children would find no greater satisfaction in this life than in living for Your approval. Let them stand on the stage of life and see no one in the audience but You, and as they walk through the different scenes of life let it be Your Spirit always cheering and encouraging them on. I pray, God, that none of the accolades of the world would mean anything if they don’t feel that they have won Your approval.
Let them live for You first, God. You first.
And Father, even as they seek to win Your approval, let them have a soul-deep understanding that You love them unconditionally and irrevocably. Let them understand that they cannot earn salvation or any more of Your love, but that they can walk in humble obedience and earn the prize You have for them in heaven. Let them always remember that though they may make mistakes, they are always pre-approved in Your eyes. Remind them that nothing can change Your love for them.
Walk with my husband and children through their most challenging days, Lord, and help them to walk in confidence knowing that they have the Creator of the universe at their backs. Let them chase after Your will, God, instead of compliments or acceptance from the people around them. Help them to be bold in following You, especially when it means they will be misunderstood. Encourage their spirits when they are rejected, made fun of, and excluded. Lift them up when they are hated for their refusal to live by the world’s rules. Let that hatred only remind them of the persecution of Jesus, and let them be encouraged in knowing that He understands their suffering. As the world hated Him, they may be hated for loving Him. Encourage them, God.
Lord, I pray sincerely that my family would not fall into the traps of society and culture. Let us live for You, and let Your approval be more than enough.
Amen.