It is easy to say we want to be Christ-centered, but the way we think and behave betrays the fact that we are most often Christian-centered. Churches that are only church-centered will never be Christ-centered. The remedy, in part, is to reserve time, energy, and desire, dedicating them to contemplating and worshiping Jesus Christ every day. This prayer, “Praise to Christ the Lord” (text and audio below) uses the seven “I am” passages in John, and other New Testament texts. (From Prayers for Our Lives.)
Audio version, read by Alice Kinyua of Nairobi, Kenya –
Praise to Christ the Lord
Lord Jesus Christ, we adore you and praise you. Where would we be without you? We long to live in your glory and your goodness.
You identified yourself with God the Father when you said “I am.” You explained your life and purpose by saying…
“I am the bread of life”*—and so we know we live through you.
“I am the light of the world”—and so we no longer live in the darkness of evil and ignorance.
“I am the gate for the sheep”—and so we know we are protected from spiritual predators.
“I am the good shepherd”—and so we are well fed, and led, and protected.
“I am the resurrection and the life”—and so we can live above the fear of illness and death.
“I am the way, the truth, and the life”—and so we see a clear way forward toward abundant life.
“I am the true vine”—and so we know staying connected to you is the most important priority we must have.
Lord Jesus, you are “the author of life.”* You came so that we may have life, and have it to the full.†
We can stand before God the Father because of your great sacrifice. You made peace through the blood of your cross, in order to reconcile all things to yourself. ‡
We are overwhelmed. We are in awe. We are humbled. We wish to worship and follow you all the days of our lives. We want to know you—yes, to know the power of your resurrection and participation in your sufferings, becoming like you in your death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.§
Amen.
__________________
*The 7 “I am” passages are John 6:35-51; 8:12; 10:9; 10:11-14; 11:25; 14:6; 15:1-5.
* Acts 3:15
† John 10:10
‡ Colossians 1:20
§ Philippians 3:10-11
We as Christians need to provide sustenance for others.
We need to let his light shine through us to help others find the way.
We need to Show others the way to Christ and be a protective door to shield them from the enemy.
We need to tend to our fellow man and understand their needs and help with the battles they are facing.
We need to show people through the word of Jesus resurrection. That the Son of God came to live as a man so that man could live as Sons of God.
We need to show people the way to a new life in Christ Jesus, through our truthfulness and the way we live.
And we need to show others that we are all part of something far greater than just ourselves.
Thank you father for saving a sinner like me. For years I thought I knew it all, but I was going nowhere. Now every minute of my day I know I am going somewhere, with you Lord. Help me daily to become a little less like me and more like you Jesus. What is impossible with men is possible with God. Luke 18:27
Gods richest Blessings to you all.
Geoff.
Geoff,
Thank you for sharing your prayer with us all.
God Bless you,
Toni-Marie
The title of my dissertation is, “The Influence of Spiritual Leadership Dynamics on Organizational Performance – a Values-based Phenomenon.”
I would love to share this incredible investigation with your organization. It is truly life changing.
May I please share this prayer on our church’s website and facebook page. I will be sure to credit the Brook Network as its source.
Joe Applegarth
elder, the Enon (Ohio) Church of Christ
Yes, that is fine. Attribution should read:
from Prayers for Our Lives (www.PrayersForOurLives.org)
Lord Jesus You are the author and Giver of life, you said as I woke up today, deliver me from my spiritual predators in His Holy name I ask O God my Father. Amen.
Beautifully done. Thank you Mel and A
lice. Stuart.
Thank you for such a wonderful prayer. I carry the words from Jesus in my heart and in my spirit daily. They are also on my vehicle license plate and on the T Shirts of my ministry. I also share with you the words that God said to Moses when Moses was to go to the Israelites and tell them who sent him. ” God said to Moses, I AM WHO I AM. “This is what you are to say to the Israelites. I AM has sent me to you.” Exodus 3: 14