As I continue to delve into First Peter it becomes painfully obvious what I need to pray for. I need character development as a man - as a Christian man. I need to develop further and become more Christ like. Among the character traits I need the most are touched in the beginning of chapter 2.
"So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander" (1 Peter 2:1, ESV).
But the middle ones I struggle with, those of deception and hypocrisy all stem from my lack of self-control. This Christian virtue that I sorely lack I desperately pray for. Peter calls us,
"Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul" (I Peter 2:11, ESV).
I feel the war, the effects of the ongoing conflict, the aftereffects of a recently lost battle. I feel the constant presence of my lack of self-control - my desire for the passions of the flesh. Let me hear Peter's urges. Let me hear his call to abstain from these passions that wage a war against my soul. Let my battle tides turn so that I am not in the mess of cleaning up from this war. Hear my prayer God.
"The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers" (I Peter 4:7, ESV).
Grant me self-control Lord. Hear my prayer. May I be alert and ready to overcome the things that trouble me so that I can live the holy life you call me to. Grant me self-control. I ask for a radical change so that I can overcome the passions of the flesh that I desire and are destructive. Replace those passions with ones that are pleasing and glorifying to you. If this radical change is not in your will give me the inner strength to pursue the changes through to a new character. If I must struggle to overcome my weaknesses let my strength rest in giving you my weakness. Hear my prayer God. The end of all things is at hand, do not let me continue to suffer from my old foolishness.
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