Originally published Thursday, 30 May 2013.
We so often pray for safety and comfort, when in fact, Jesus prayed a different prayer for us.
I was speaking earlier with someone who pegged a current reality: the younger generations have so much to learn from the suffering and testimonies of their elders.
On a daily basis, our world becomes increasingly about instant gratification, contentment through materialism and self-satisfying autonomy. What about treasures of eternal value? What about becoming like Christ?
Are our prayers more focused on safety, or sanctification?
In John 17, Jesus prays, "My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one...Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth" (v. 15,17).
Jesus prays not for our bodily safety or our worldly satisfaction, but for our spiritual safety. He prays the Father's protection over our very souls, that we would be continually sanctified by the truth.
Do you pray this prayer? I think it is a challenge to us as we look to Jesus' example. "Lord, sanctify us by the truth, that despite the world, we may become increasingly more like Christ."
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