Our Heavenly Prize

Dear Lord,

May I not put any sin between you and me. May I not have any gaps of unrepentance that would create a distance in our relationship, not because you’ve moved away from me, but because I moved away from you. Lord, please bring to my heart any unconfessed sin so that I may sit before you with a repentant heart. Create in me a clean heart. O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit (Ps. 51:10-12). Help me do and say and think only those things that please you. For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things? For we are not, like so many peddlers of God’s word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ (2 Cor. 2:15-17). May all be moved in such a way that hearts would soften to your glorious existence, not because of anything I did but because of everything you’ve done. May I receive by your grace and mercy forgiveness and reconciliation. You are my Lord and intimate fellowship with you is where I am created to be.

Father, in my suffering, whatever may be here today or on into the future, may I suffer with the same kind of endurance, patience, strength, and love, as Jesus sacrificially exemplified on the Cross. As Jesus knew the Father’s will, plan, and purpose for crucifixion and for sinners, may I also remember that suffering is not without a glorious result due to your power that is in it. May I be reminded that it is You who judges all injustices that come against me. You have the final word in all things, in heaven and on earth.

In my suffering, may my conduct be honorable towards God and people so that on the day of visitation, Your work in and through me, will be brought to their remembrance, and they will recall the goodness and glory that shone forth that simply was not possible by such a weakened vessel. In this splendid divine revelation, they would be more inclined to profess faith than to scoff and turn the other way. They would surely respond to your call of salvation with belief in their heart that Jesus is Lord and Savior and that by our omnipotence, He was raised from the grave and sits now at your right hand.

Their legal standing before God miraculously shifted from unrighteousness to righteousness because of the death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ. The status of their relationship with God moved from conflict to reconciliation ensuring peace and communion with God. Their very being transferred from the impending death of this world to the promised life of God’s new creational order, leading us to an increased appetite for the which pleases God and a growing distaste for that which does not please Him. Their perspective altered so their focus is no longer on outward appearance but on the radical interior radiance (Gospel Transformation; 2 Cor. 5:11-21).

May I be a testimony of God’s miracles of transformation in this darkened world and may I continue to burn brightly with the Word of God from my lips, in my actions, in my mind, and in my heart. Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path (Ps. 119:105). May I think of nothing else but this, not only for my wisdom, understanding, and deeper knowledge of God but to share with others as well so that they may glorify God and enjoy Him forever. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them (Eph. 2:10). How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who published peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns (Isa. 52:7). May I be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord my labor is not in vain (1 Cor. 15:58).

In this undertaking, may I not turn inward nor retaliate but suffer silently and with expressions of hope, joy, and faith in the will of God who judges accordingly and just as Jesus did, put my care and preservation in my Father’s hands. Jesus died for the sins of the world, He committed His cause to the Father, and those who denied, mocked, beat, and crucified Him, He left to the Father’s judgment knowing that He would judge as He saw fit.

May I walk in my Savior’s steps in times of suffering. May I entrust my life to God so that He would be known among those who are living life apart from Him. May He be elevated, loved, worshiped, praised, and honored as He deserves. We were made to be in relationship with God. When we live in the presence of God we are peaceful, joyful, gentle, and kind. We are moved to love God and people because it is the Holy Spirit that is at work within believers of Jesus Christ.

He will glorify me, for He will take what is mine and declare it to you (John 16:14). Of His own will, He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures (James 1:18).

Now that I am beginning to understand to a small degree what suffering can bring to my own life, I can now share this with others who are also suffering with great hope that they will see their crown of glory, their spiritual inheritance, the love and care of the Father who is diligently working to purify their hearts and making them ready for eternal life. And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit (2 Cor. 3:18). In knowing this, suffering seems more palatable. It is not to cause us misery and pain but it is so others may come to know Christ, be comforted by those whom God has comforted, and made ready for everlasting life with God. As I continue my trek towards God, whether on the mountain or in the valley, may I follow closely in the steps of my Lord and Savior so that in my very small piece of God’s will, plan, and purpose, I may finish well in the faith.

Christ loved the church and He gave Himself up for her that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the Word so that He might present the church to Himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing that she might be holy and without blemish (Eph. 5:22-33).

Praise be to God!

In Jesus’ name I pray all these things,

Amen.