Our Heavenly Prize

“I already told you,” Jesus replied, “but you did not believe. The works I do in my Father’s name testify on my behalf…”

Jesus often speaks plainly about His identity and mission, yet many do not understand or accept. Despite Jesus’ clear teachings and previous declaration about Himself, there is still unbelief (John 10:25, Bible Hub).

My Father in heaven…forgive me for unbelief. Help me to believe and do as you have called me to do: share the Gospel of Jesus Christ. My good works, by the power of the Holy Spirit, are not to earn favor and salvation, but only to testify, to confirm the truth of who You are.

Holy, Holy, Holy, are You Lord God Almighty. You are Creator and Sustainer of Heaven and Earth. Soften the hard parts of my heart and help me to receive Your truth that is solely and purely found in Your inspired Word, without fault and error and with all authority forever.

Omnipotent God, help my unbelief. May I be open to Your every word, renewed in my mind and transformed in my heart to Christ’s likeness as You reveal Yourself to me. May I receive You, Your perfect will, and enable me to commit each day to love and obey all You’ve created me to be and do for Your glory, not mine.

Protect me from the evil schemes of the enemy and prevent me from falling into temptation because I have rejected Your truth and acted upon what my sinful flesh craved in this world. Restore my soul, draw me close, and teach me your ways. Let me not rebel and follow my pride, open my entire being to the clear teachings that are meant to save and sanctify the lost and darkened soul.

Omniscient God, let the work that I do be in Your authority and power so that You get the praise and honor that only You deserve. I pray that all those whom you so graciously put before me would see Jesus in me and believe in His death, burial, resurrection, and ascension. That they too would be delivered from the power of sin and death, not by what I do but by all that You do. Praise be to God and Him alone.

Sovereign and Everlasting God, help me point others to You by the words you push forth from my mouth. In humble submission to you, make me a living sacrifice for it is God who works in me, both to will and to work for His good pleasure (Phil. 2:13).

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock my redeemer (Psalm 19:14). Pour out by your control and in your perfect timing, your words and actions of compassion, kindness, love, joy, and peace, and minister them to those in need of encouragement, faith, support, and fellowship. Reveal yourself in our conversations so the disheartened and lonely people, myself included, will be privy to Your presence, as you see fit to share yourself with the seeking. Your divine company in our lives, the application of your tender care in our sufferings, and Your steadfast love in our waiting are sufficient.

“For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall My word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it (Isaiah 55:10-11).

You will restore all that was corrupted at the fall of mankind.

Jesus, your works and teachings serve as evidence of Your divine authority and identity. “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven (Matthew 5:16).

Lord, let the light of Christ so shine in and through me so that all those around me will see the glory of God, believe and profess their faith in the Son of God, who is Jesus Christ, and be saved from eternal condemnation. Guard my actions, I repent and rebuke self-glorification, the hiding of my faith, and I surrender my will, plan, and purpose in this life so that I may be an instrument in Your hands.

Every follower of Jesus is called to live an openly radiant life that unmistakably reflects the character of Christ. Our God-given light must be deliberately displayed in real-world settings, expressed through tangible good deeds. As people witness these deeds, the spotlight shifts from us to our heavenly Father, fulfilling our chief purpose: to bring Him glory (Bible Hub: Matthew 5:16 Summary).

Yes, and Amen!