Finding the WordsSample

Dear Lord Jesus,

We thank You today that we are called to follow You. Many times in the Gospels, You invite us to FOLLOW YOU. Thank You for this invitation - what it is and what it isn’t!

You do not ask us to impress You, but to follow You. You do not ask us to lead You, but to follow You. You do not ask us to show our independence, but to follow You.

And by asking us to follow You, You are inviting us to wrap our identity in Your righteousness, trusting in Your death on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins. By asking us to follow You, You are inviting us to think as You think - having our minds transformed by Your thoughts as revealed in Scripture. By asking us to follow You, You are inviting us to live as You lived - loving the lost, encouraging the found, and obeying the Father. By asking us to follow You, You are inviting us to feel as You feel - having the things that break Your heart break ours as well and move us to compassion and action.

Lord Jesus, we come before You today and we thank You for Your gracious invitation that has come “while we are still sinners.” May we, by faith, follow You - repenting of our independence and self-righteousness, and cling to Your cross; and then pick it up daily and follow You.

In Your precious name we pray, AMEN