21 Days of Prayer & FastingSample

Devotion to God

As followers of Jesus, we all want to be devoted to God. But if you are like me, I often find myself more devoted to myself. Devotion is a daily posture and choice. The question is, is my posture of surrender towards Jesus or is my posture pulling away in pride? The interesting thing about devotion is it is not proven when life is awesome and when following Jesus is comfortable. Devotion is proven when the consequence is uncomfortable. We live in a culture that wants to gratify and satisfy convenience. Yet, the life of a Jesus follower is not one of convenience. It is a life of devotion to a Holy Sovereign God. And devotion is proven when I don’t want or feel like being devoted. it is when my will opposes Gods will and I choose to submit my will to His that devotion is activated.

We see this powerfully exampled by Christ in Luke 22. Jesus is moments away from betrayal and being arrested, He prays to the father as the reality and weight of what is about to take place is thundering down on His soul. Jesus is about to take on all the sin of the world as His own. We cannot begin to comprehend the magnitude of this darkness. We see the humanity of Jesus as His will asks for any other way. Then we see the devotion of Jesus to the Father in this profound statement, “Nevertheless not my will, but yours, be done.”

I wonder when was the last time we submitted our will to the will of the Father? This is what devotion looks like. When my will wants anything else, but instead I submit it to Gods word. I would suggest the life of a Jesus follower must make the decision and declaration, “Not my will, but your will be done” every day. I don’t always get this right every day and I’m thankful for the grace and patience of Jesus. But may we be stirred to lay down our will and choose devotion to our perfect Savior each and every day. Devotion isn’t proven when its easy, its proven when it’s hard. God gave everything to save us and call us His own. Devotion isn’t an option; it is the life and call of a Jesus follower.

Reflection Questions:

1.When was the last time I realized my will was raging against the will of God’s word?

2.How would my day change today if I prayed, “Not my will, but your will, be done?

3.Is my devotion to God conditional? Or am I devoted to God when it costs me?

Prayer:

Jesus, thank you for your love for me. Thank you for your grace and patience as I follow you. Today I choose to surrender my will to yours. Show me anything in my heart that is pulling my devotion away from following you. Today I pray, “not my will, but yours be done.” Amen.