I found something that I had ordered ages ago. It is a book, “100 Prayers to Share”. I have started opening the book to a random page, tearing it out, and sending it to someone on my mind. Yesterday I decided I needed one for myself.
I opened it to one, and it said this:
Shut off distractions, turn off autopilot, and lean into Jesus. I am asking God to remind you that he is always near, always listening, and always pursuing your heart.
Just what I needed to hear, and several things we had visited during Sunday School.
- · Shut off distractions- the world is our distraction, and Satan loves it. He loves it when we are distracted because it shifts our focus from Christ.
- · Remove Autopilot mode- just stop, be still.
- · Lean into Jesus- when we remove the distractions and turn ourselves off, we can lean into Jesus.
- And always remember Christ is always near, always listening, and always pursuing us.
I want to take a minute to talk about how Jesus pursues us, which I found very interesting. In episode 8 of season 5 of The Chosen, the story begins with Jesus and Thadius. Jesus asks Thadius to follow Him, giving him the same invitation He offers to us. I have learned so much from The Chosen and the roundtables. During the round table, they discussed how Jesus is always actively seeking us, no matter who we are or what we have done. Jesus sought out the disciples—even the ones who didn’t make the cut. He asked them to follow Him. They didn’t seek Jesus out.
These prayers also include a scripture passage to accompany your reading. This one was Ephesians 5:14-16
14 This is why it is said:
“Wake up, sleeper,
rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you.”
15 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise,16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.
Paul is telling us to be aware, be wise, make the most of our time, and be careful; the world can be evil. He tells us to call for careful, thoughtful, and deliberate examination of how they’re living. Our lives should align with holy living and following Christ. Going back to aligning our lives, we should shut off the distractions, turn off autopilot, lean into Jesus, and always remember to
1. Show up for JESUS every day – Start your day in the Word.
2. Show up for OTHERS – Serve others, That is what Jesus did; He showed up for everyone.
3. Show up for YOU – Fill your cup before you help fill others’ cups.
We find joy when we show up for Jesus, others, and ourselves.
As Father Mike says, “You pray for me, and I will pray for you.”
As Tara Leigh says: He’s where the joy is.
Have a great week, Cupcake loves you and so does Jesus.
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