*Workmanship In Christ*
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:10)
Father,
You’ve created me not once, but twice. You created me at my conception, then wonderfully recreated me when I was born again. I’m twice yours. Thank you for causing me to be born again, and for making me a glorious new creation in Jesus. Thank you for slaying my old self, which was a miserable slave to sin and wickedness. Thank you for killing my old self, which didn’t want to do good works and didn’t have the power to do good works. Thank you for making me new, for installing new affections and desires and passions into my heart.
Thank you for meticulously preparing good works for me to walk in. I don’t have to figure out the good works you have in store for me. Thank you for all the good works you’ve given me in the past, and all the good works you have in store for me.
Lord, make me zealous to bless others. So often I’m a navel gazer, preoccupied with myself and my desires. I operate as if I am the most important person in the world, and everyone should bend their lives to meet my needs. Give me a servant’s heart. A heart that is willing to serve wherever I’m needed, whenever I’m needed, no matter how lowly the task. A heart that gives more than it takes.
Use me to build up, strengthen, and encourage your people. Use me to refresh others. Help me to serve cheerfully, humbly, gladly, and with zeal. Use me to bring your blessings to others. Fill me with holy, infectious joy. Use me to make others happy in you. Help me have a generous heart that is eager to give, and eager to bless. Use me to meet the needs of others. Especially give me divine opportunities to share the gospel. Use me as an instrument in the salvation of others.
Please use me to advance your kingdom. Just as a soldier longs to serve his country, I long to serve you. I long to make an impact on this world for the kingdom of God. I long to burn bright for you. I long to leave a God-‐centered legacy. You are my king, and I am at your disposal. Use me to dispel the darkness of sin and Satan. Use me to win souls for Christ. Inspire me with divine creativity, that I might invent new ways of doing good for you.
Father, what a generous, lavish, and kind God you are. You give me good works to walk in, and then you promise to reward me for those works! How kind you are. How good you are. Let the promise of divine rewards motivate me to pursue righteousness.