Father,

Just as Jesus cared for those hurting and in need – both physically and spiritually – and met those needs in spite of opposition; just as Jesus’ heart was moved by pain and grief, in spite of those who wanted him to be just like everyone else and didn’t understand him, I pray that you’ll help me to have the same heart. Help me to see people as he saw them, as you see them. Teach me not to be blinded by my own traditions, habits, prejudices, and by an attitude on my own part of self-righteousness. I want to be the answer to Jesus’ prayer, to be a laborer that picks up his ministry to teach, to preach, and to bring healing to those in need.

Lord,

Help me to look at people as you look at them – looking beyond what they have, how they dress, what they say, but as much as possible to look at their heart. I pray that you’ll work on my heart. Make my heart what you want, a heart of mercy and peacemaking, a heart that hungers and thirsts for you, a meek heart, a heart that hurts as you hurt of sin and suffering, a pure heart. I know I need you. Fill my spiritual poverty with the riches that only come from you. Help me to rely on you, not what I do, what I know, what I have. Only on you.

Father,

Help me to keep my committment to study and meditate on your Word each day this year. Write your Word on my heart. Make it my joy in times of peace, and my defense in times of trial and temptation.

Help me to respond to your call, giving up everything that gets in the way. Help me to make Christ’s ministry, my ministry. Help me to love others as your children and with the love that Jesus showed. I want to teach and encourage and build up those that know you, proclaim the good news of the Kingdom to those that don’t know it, and be a source of healing to those that are hurting. I pray that you’ll transform my heart and teach me to do these things.

Father,

Help me to abandon any illusion of my own righteousness apart from you, of any worth in my background, my knowedge, my experience, or my goodness. Help me to completely rely on you. Help me to bear fruit in keeping with repentance – transform me, until all anyone can see in me is the image of Christ. I want love joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control to be the rule in my life, not the exception – not my old ways… I repent of those. I want your Kingdom to come in my life; I want to live the Kingdom life.

Father,

Help me to follow the example of the wise men. Help me to always be patiently watching and waiting for your work, your will, and your plan. I want to always be in a state of anticipation, looking for what you will do next. Help me to see it and recognize it for what it is. Use me in what you’re doing in any way you wish – if nothing else, I will give testimony and glory and honor to what I see you doing. That’s a calling I can be be satisfied with – there’s nothing more important than glorifying Your Name.

Father,

You use all kinds of people to work out your will and your plan. You used evil kings, good kings, faithful men and women as well as people with a shameful past, and people with incredible sin in their past.I pray that you’ll use me, in spite of things in my past and present that I’m not proud of. In spite of my faults, my weakness, and my sin, I pray you’ll use me as you will. Help me to see your hand at work in my life, and help me to bend my will to yours.