Dangerous PrayersSample

FULFILL YOUR PURPOSES IN ME

Many of God’s purposes for my life are evident in His Word. Am I growing in love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, and self-control today? All of those attributes are 100% His purpose for me! Likewise, there is no question as to whether or not I am to cheat, steal, or seek harm towards my neighbor. Those are not God’s purposes for me.

For those earnestly seeking to follow Christ, there is usually little confusion about our moral choices. The great tension of the Christian life comes in discerning His unique purposes for us personally. Our character might be tested through moral temptations, but our faith is tested in the struggle of day-to-day life where God's purposes for me do not seem clear.

The key is not to seek God’s purposes for my life but to seek God. An old confession of the Church puts it this way, "What is the chief end (purpose) of humanity? To glorify God and enjoy Him forever." There is so much freedom and peace in knowing that what I do today at the office, on the tractor, as a parent, in school, while fasting and praying… is not really about my purpose at all; it is all ultimately about God’s glory.

And in his unfathomable love, He made a plan for me to be a part of that!

It gets better; He promises over and over in His Word that even in my failures, He is “establishing my steps” (Prov. 16:9) so that I will fulfill the unique purposes He has for me in glorifying and enjoying Him. Even if I miss a fast day or my morning prayer time, He is still working all things (Rom. 8:28), ALL things, very real and messy things, together for the purpose of His glory, and my good.

Seth Pike