My Prayer Tonight As I Embark On a New Ministry Endeavor

Lord, I desperately need You. Your words "without Me you can do nothing" ring in my heart, soul, and spirit in this moment.

When I am discouraged in my ministry and full of doubts of myself, please anchor me to the rock of Your eternal election and remind me of Your words, "My gifts and callings are without repentance." If I can just be ever mindful that my calling comes from You alone and it is You before whom I will stand and give account then my heart will be encouraged and I shall have hope...for I have known Your grace and would willingly throw myself at Your feet, even in judgment, for You are Just and Merciful. I am accountable to You, Lord. Give me grace to stand transparent before You as a workman that does not need to be ashamed.

Keep my eyes off of man and focused intently on You.

Lord, keep me from thinking of myself or my work too highly. I know that in myself I am nothing but sin and weakness. In me no good thing dwells and my best works are but filthy rags. Humble me before You and keep me humble before others. Keep me ever sensible of my sinnership...and mindful of Your righteousness. Keep, also, those around me mindful that I am but human and, as such, will have the failings and needs common to humanity.

When the Dagon of pride rises up within me, break it before the Ark of Your Presence. Help me to live, walk, and emanate that Presence in the things I say, think, and do. May my confidence be God-confidence and not self-confidence.

Let grace be my experience and my cry. I am such a poor, weak creature when Faith is not in exercise; I am like an eagle with clipped wings who cannot soar to the heights for which it was designed. Let Your grace and mercy build my Faith and lift me up above the shadowlands to the heights for which I am created.

Grant to me to rest on Your power and faithfulness and to know that there are causes worthy of my own small power and faithfulness. Those causes are to bring glory and pleasure to You and to do good to the souls and bodies of those you have placed around me. Teach me how to live in that place where Scripture and culture intersect and to understand the times in which I live and to have wisdom to transform knowledge into godly action.

Lord, You know Your people by name, and YOU will at YOUR appointed season lead them out of a natural state to a gracious sanctified state at YOUR calling. Help me not to rush ahead of You or lag behind You but to keep gently in step with Your Spirit. To see YOUR people at the place that YOU have ordained for them is the object of my desire and the motivation of my ministry.

Lord, at this moment in time, this task before me is my ministry, my life, my prayer, my purpose.

Grant me grace that I shall not fail You.