I used to pray, "God please stir my heart."
When I would consider others and my desire for them to live more passionately for Jesus I would pray, "God please stir their hearts."
Then I noticed something in 1 Corinthians 15:34 where the Apostle Paul summarizes his point on how we should live in light of the resurrection. He says, "Think carefully about what is right, and stop sinning...."
Having a stirred heart that passionately pursues Jesus and His righteousness in the world (and takes risks, embraces sacrifice, endures conflict and restricts our natural appetites and desires) is supposed to be the normal Christian life. To not have this is a sin.
Now my prayer is:
"Lord, please convict me of the sins of complacency and entitlement."
Just think what complacency and entitlement will lead to in a life? Certainly not passion for Jesus. Even though we might be saved, we would tend to view our salvation as solely for our benefit and not as a mission for the sake of others.
Can you guess what I'm praying for you?
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