For the glory of Your name

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"Help us, O God of our salvation! Help us for the glory of your name. Save us and forgive our sins for the honor of your name." (Psalm 79:9, New Living Translation)

I read this quote from Oswald Chambers this morning: "Think about the last thing you prayed about--were you devoted to your desire or to God?"

Between this verse and this quote, I am pondering the glory of God in our prayer lives this morning. Whether we are praying for ourselves, our loved ones, our neighbors, our nation ... what is our motivation?

Did you notice these phrases: "for the glory of your name ... for the honor of your name"? Help us, save us, forgive us ... the glory of God is to be the ultimate objective in these prayers. We are short-sighted if our prayers are only motivated by relief or benefit of ourselves or others.

Many of us have loved ones who are not Christ-followers. We pray for their salvation. There is nothing wrong with praying for them to be saved so that we will one day see them in heaven, but it is a short-sighted prayer. Their going to heaven is not God's ultimate purpose. As we pray for their salvation so that God might receive glory in them, we are connecting more with the heart of God.

Similarly, when we pray for those who are sick and suffering, certainly praying for healing and relief is a good thing. Connecting with the heart of God in prayer for His glory to be displayed in their lives is an even better thing.

Question: How will you connect with God in praying for others today?

Leave a comment below.  I'd love to hear your perspective.

The Journey of Surrender

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"I have been crucified with the Anointed One—I am no longer alive—but the Anointed is living in me; and whatever life I have left in this failing body I live by the faithfulness of God’s Son, the One who loves me and gave His body on the cross for me." (Galatians 2:20, The Voice)

I have often heard Christian speakers talk about having a "life verse". I've also been a part of many discussions where people talked about having a favorite verse or passage of Scripture.

I have resisted both those concepts because God has spoken to me through so much of His word. My favorite verse is like my favorite song; it is the verse or song through which God is speaking to me at the moment.

Having said that, I acknowledge that Galatians 2:20 comes about as close as possible to being a life verse for me. It is, at the very least, one of my "anchor" verses.

It is a reminder to me that God is not nearly as interested in what I do for Him as He is interested in what He does in and through me. If I am concerned for God's glory, I can take two approaches: 

(1) I can try to be sure that whatever I do, I do my very best for Him.

(2) I can surrender to Him so fully that His life and His glory are lived out in me.

Notice that I did not say that I can take "one of two" approaches. This is not either/or; it is both/and. It is process and progress. It is a journey of surrender.

“The goal of faithfulness is not that we will do work for God, but that He will be free to do His work through us.” (Oswald Chambers - "My Utmost for His Highest”)

Question: What will you do today to take your next step on the journey of surrender?

Leave a comment below.  I'd love to hear your thoughts.