A Prayer for Focus - Your Daily Prayer - August 23

A Prayer for Focus
By Emma Danzey

Colossians 3:2 says, “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”

Focus is something that we all could use more of in our daily lives. Whether it is keeping our mind fixed on what we are working on and zoning into the details that we need to tend to, focusing on our children or grandchildren who are present to show them how much we care or focusing on the sermon in church on Sunday.

The enemy loves to get us distracted, not only in small areas like the ones mentioned but also in a larger way. He wants us to be thinking with temporary mindsets However, in Colossians 3:2, God calls us to put our thoughts towards things above, not worldly things. Today as we pray and ask the Lord for focus, may we each have a renewed sense of what is eternally significant and purposeful. May we not miss the opportunities to see each day as a mission field for eternity. May we focus on the mission at hand with confidence.

Let's Pray:

Lord Over My Mind,
I need you to help me today. Give me clarity and strength to think on things of you and not of my flesh. There are so many things competing for my attention. Help me to remember that the tasks and situations at hand are temporary. Remind my soul of what is spiritually significant. Reveal Your will and Your purposes to me and help me to live them out by Your Spirit.

God You say in Philippians 4:8, “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” Please enable my mind to think on the things of You. Give me thoughts that are honorable and focused on Your love. When I am tempted to stray, redirect my thought patterns to bring glory to You.

1 Peter 5:8 says, “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” God, I know that one of the enemy’s favorite places of attack is on the mind of a believer. He cannot take our souls, so he loves to get into our heads with lies. Give me the armor of You to protect me from his schemes. Guard my mind and help me to take every thought captive to You. Help me to not live in a scattered way but on the solid Rock that is You. Be my steady and remind me of Your Scriptures. When I am tempted to stray in my thinking, renew my mind with the truth of Your Word.

Jesus, as I desire to serve You and focus on Your purposes, give me a sense of Your presence. Allow me to fix my eyes on You. I am not strong enough to run this race, but in Your power I can keep my focus on the finish line of faith. You say in Philippians 3:14, “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” When I am tempted by laziness, apathy, or selfishness, remind me of the importance of the mission at hand to sharing the gospel with the world. Help me to press on by the strength of Your Spirit to accomplish all that I need to in Your name.

Remind me how You are working in and through me, even in the simplicity of the everyday encounters. Moments that seem insignificant, You use them for Your glory. Times when I feel like it is hard to stay on mission, redirect me with Your Word and through Your Spirit to stay the course.

Thank You for Your great gift of focus. Guide me to have Your mindset each and every day. When I am attacked with distractions and scattered in thought, still my soul and slow my mind from wandering. Give me the determination and the discipline that I need to accomplish Your will. In Your powerful name, I pray Jesus, Amen.

Photo credit: ©SalemDesign/BethanyPyle, Video credit: Stock Footage: soundstripe.com, Images: Canva.com

Emma Danzey’s mission in life stems from Ephesians 3:20-21, to embrace the extraordinary. One of her greatest joys is to journey with the Lord in His Scriptures. She is wife to Drew and mom to Graham. Emma serves alongside her husband in ministry, she focuses most of her time in the home, but loves to provide articles on the Bible, life questions, and Christian lifestyle. Her article on Interracial Marriage was the number 1 on Crosswalk in 2021. Most recently, Emma released Treasures for Tots, (Scripture memory songs) and multiple books and devotionals for young children. During her ministry career, Emma has released Wildflower: Blooming Through Singleness, two worship EP albums, founded and led Polished Conference Ministries, and ran the Refined Magazine. You can view her articles on her blog at emmadanzey.wordpress.com and check out her Instagram @Emmadanzey.

Editor's Note: We're proud to announce we've just launched a new nighttime companion to Your Daily Prayer: the Your Nightly Prayer devotional. You'll soon be able to subscribe to receive Your Nightly Prayer via email, or as a podcast, but for now you can find it on the website at crosswalk.com/devotionals/your-nightly-prayer. We hope it's a relaxing and soothing way to wind down your day with rich meditations on who God is.

Related Resource: Jesus Calling - Stories of Faith

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Inspired by Sarah Young's classic devotional book, the Jesus Calling podcast has brought encouragement and peace to millions. New episodes drop every Thursday! Listen today on LifeAudio.com or wherever you find your podcasts.

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