From My Heart to His

“Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You’ll need them throughout your life. God’s Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare.”  Ephesians 6:13-18 (MSG)

Won’t you pray along with me, friends?

Oh, Lord God, I love You so. I praise You not just for your many mighty works–but for who You are. You are the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. There is no one like You–nothing can even come close to being worthy of comparison with You, nor can anyone even fathom the heights of your greatness. You are so holy and perfect and wise. You know all, You see all (because You are limitless and able to be everywhere all the time), and You are all-powerful. All glory and honor belong to you, God.

I thank You for your beautiful Creation. I take so much delight in it, and I know you do, too. When I look around and perceive all that You have made and learn the details of your incredible design I am blown away. I’m just filled with awestruck wonder at what the words You have spoken have brought into existence. 

I thank You for the gift of your Word, which is Truth and Life. A lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. In it You show us who You are and who we are created to be in You. From cover to cover we witness the great story of your redeeming love for us and how You made a way where there seemed to be no way for us to belong to You, as your children, forever and ever…Lord, help me not to forget who I am, or more accurately, whose I am. I thank You for your willingness to pay the ultimate price for my life. Help me to remember this every moment of every day. This life You’ve given me is not my own. And so, I give You this day (and every day), and I thank You that your will be done (in my life) on earth as it is in Heaven. Have your way with me, God. Please! For I know without a doubt that your way is better! Your perspective and your plans are infinitely beyond our limited human understanding, just as you’ve told us in your Word–as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are your ways and your thoughts above ours. Truly, You know me better than I know myself. So, thank You for helping me to trust in You with my whole heart and mind and soul and strength. Thank You for reminding me not to lean on my own understanding but to acknowledge You in all my ways, knowing full well that You will always be faithful to guide my steps and direct my paths. What a relief it is that I don’t have to know everything or have it all figured out! Still, I thank You that when I seek You and ask You for wisdom, God, You are so good to me–and kind–and You give it to me freely and without rebuke. Lord, help me to be still and quiet long enough to hear and receive it. 

And Lord, your presence. Oh my goodness—my greatest treasure! Thank You for choosing to make your home in my heart. Thank You that You are right here with me at all times and that absolutely nothing can separate me from You and your incredible, unconditional love for me. Lord–I don’t deserve this grace You pour out on me endlessly, day after day, nor your mercies, which are new every morning. But I thank You that I don’t have to deserve it. I don’t have to earn it. They are free gifts from a loving, generous Father.  And because of them I am empowered to do as You’ve called me to do and be who You’ve called me to be in your Word.

I thank You that even though I get it wrong every day, You forgive me, and You are so very patient with me. And You are faithful to complete the good work You’ve begun in me (and all those who belong to You). I thank You, God, that day by day You are transforming me into your likeness–I’m becoming more like You! I’m becoming who You created me to be–your original masterpiece. And I thank You that as I learn to surrender more and more of myself and allow You access to more and more of the rooms of my heart–I see evidence of your beautiful handiwork–your exquisite craftsmanship–which is so much better than any plans I could’ve possibly imagined for myself. And You help me to realize that when I give up all control over those rooms in my heart–it is then that You are able to fill them to the brim (and then some) with your many blessings…and my life becomes so much richer. 

Oh, God, when I think of You and who You are and what you’ve done I feel an unspeakable joy. Thank you for the hope of Heaven and an eternity spent with you and the abundant life you died to give us here on earth in the meantime. And though I still encounter struggles and hard moments and storms of various levels of severity–when I focus on you and your presence with me, the most incredible peace comes over me. And it’s weird, God. The situation may call for anxiety and fear or doubt and worry, but instead, your peace surrounds and grounds me, and I am left amazed and certain that, though I don’t know what will happen, I know it’s all going to be okay…because you are with me and for me, and you always work all things together for the good of those who love you and are called according to your purpose. And Lord, I sure do love you. 

Help me to abide in You as You abide in me, so that I may bear the fruit of your Spirit and be a blessing to all those around me. Thank You, Lord, for helping me to see others–and myself–as You see us and to love them as You love them. Let me be the light (and salt!) You’ve called me to be in this world of darkness and sin. And I thank You for a willing heart to go forth and proclaim the gospel in all the little corners of this great big world to which You send me. Anoint my lips that I may speak your holy truth in love wherever I go. Lord, I want to follow You and all your ways, for You alone are the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Help me to pick up my cross this day and everyday so that I may crucify my sinful nature and die to my flesh over and over and instead live by your spirit of righteousness in me. Thank You for loving me, Father. My safe place. My strong tower. My everything. I love You so very much.

 In Your mighty name I pray, Amen.

 Layna Fulop