21 Days of Prayer & FastingSample

No Holding Back

There is a song on Steffany Gretzinger’s new album called “No Holding Back’. It speaks of her decision to follow Jesus with her whole self. The song's bridge says, ‘If I live, I’m living for you; if I die, I’m dying for you.' Such compelling and powerful words tell the story of her heart's cry before the Lord.

When we turn our gaze to the birth of the Church in the New Testament, an assembly of diligent, ordinary individuals emerges – their yearning hearts beckoning for more. As the 'more' confronts them head-on, they withhold nothing, reorienting their existence around Jesus and His mission. Their lives resonate with the lyrics of Steffany's song, a living testament to transformation. Their rebirth is so profound that reverting to their former ways becomes unimaginable.

And this is where we find ourselves today. If there are times when you feel out of sync with the world's values, it's because you truly are. We exist within the world, yet our essence is distinct from it. Jesus' prayer to the Father in John 17 resounds powerfully, interceding for us amidst the world's complexities. He implores that our lives echo His love and the unity within the Trinity, urging us to shine unreservedly and shun hesitation.

As our communion deepens through prayer, & we remain in the presence of the Father. His heart, His word, continually molds us, urging us onward in His purpose. There's no turning back. While the journey of following Jesus may at times seem daunting, the cost high, it's an exquisite assurance to truly grasp that the Holy Spirit is perpetually with us – within and upon us. A source of solace, a constant companion, and the divine power propelling us wholeheartedly.

Today, we pray that areas needing surrendering to God's will become illuminated to us. We aspire to walk closely with Jesus, not from a distance, but up close and personal, withholding nothing.