Today’s scripture: 1 Peter 4:1-2 (NRSV) (The Message) (KJV) What might God be saying to me?
My thoughts (David Zier):
In the days of the early church, Christians had their fair share of persecutions. But even in day to day life today, we all experience persecutions in one form or another. What do we learn from them? I find that my prayers have changed over time. I always include some variation of, “God, help me more and more each day to want what you want.” This does not always mean I know fully what that is, but living into that is an adventure. It is an exploration. Not just in exploring what God wants, but in exploring myself in the process. We can be so ego driven and think we know it all or that we can control it all. We just need to let go of that and pray, “I want what God wants…I want what Jesus teaches me…”
Watch the video, and pray over the words below.
What You Want (Lyrics)
Everyday I’ve been feeling the pressure, I always gotta know the plan
It’s a weight that I’ve tried to shoulder, I thought I could, but I can’t
And I’m so tired of chasing dreams, When I am wired to let you lead
You’re changing my heart, To want what you want, To love how you love
And that is enough, There’s no greater plan that I need to know, You only ask me to follow
And want what you, what you want(X4)
Oh I’m feelin’ this surrender, I feel myself come alive, And the burder feels like a feather
When I let my agenda die, And I get so tired of my own dreams, But I am wired to let you lead
You’re changing my heart, To want what you want, To love how you love
And that is enough, There’s no greater plan that I need to know, You only ask me to follow
And want what you, what you want(X4)
So many leaders, you ask for followers, So keep on leading, cuz you’re my father
So many leaders, you ask for followers, So keep on leading, cuz you’re my father
You’re changing my heart, To want what you want, To love how you love
And that is enough, There’s no greater plan that I need to know, You only ask me to follow
And want what you, what you want(X4)
So many leaders(what you want), you ask for followers
So keep on leading(what you want), cuz you’re my God
Thought for the day: Just say this simple prayer: “God, I want what you want. Help me to get there. Help me understand more each day what that means for me in my life, to want what You want.”
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the suggestions on the How to Pray page.