A Prayer About Heart-strength
It is good for our hearts to be strengthened by grace… Hebrews 13:9
Lord Jesus, as you know, I’ve lost friends and family members to heart disease-of the congenital and life-choice varieties. I’ve also had many other friends suffer heart attacks-both young and old alike. So the theme of heart care is personal to me, and the issue of stewarding my health is of great importance to me, and indeed, a part of living to your glory.
However, what will it profit me if I only eat foods from Whole Foods, can still run an 8 minute mile at age 60 (just 4 months away), have 125 cholesterol, a resting heart rate of 59 and yet have a heart that is weak in grace? I remember the Apostle Paul weighing in on this topic too when he said that physical training definitely has some value, but godliness has value for all things… for both this life and the life to come (1 Tim. 4:8).
So, my prayer today, Jesus, is about heart-strength through grace. Lead me to the gym, the training table, the sauna, the spa, the regimen, etc, which will cause my heart to grow stronger and stronger and stronger in your grace. For surely, the more my heart is strengthened by grace the more it will beat for your glory, be healed of heartbreaks and heartaches, and have less room for idols.
As my heart is strengthened by grace, I will repent quicker, forgive deeper, and love louder. I will throw more gospel parties and less pity parties. I will not think less of me, I will just think about me less of the time… I think I’ll stop right there, Jesus, and enter this day with that thought, that longing and that great hope. Indeed, it is good, it is VERY good for our hearts to be strengthened by grace. So very Amen I pray, in your name and for your glory.
