Jack Miller, my spiritual father of twenty-one years, modeled and taught me the discipline of “preaching the Gospel to yourself.” We are always talking to ourselves, so why not fill the conversation with the life-giving, heart-transforming truth of the gospel? For the next several days, I will offer 2 or 3 short Gospel-to-my-heart prayers, to help us develop this daily discipline. This isn’t “mind over matter,” or merely the power of positive thinking. It’s the Gospel for the whole of life.
We are image bearers of God—wonderfully made
“I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” – Psalm 139:14
Gracious Father, before I was broken, I was beautiful—made by your hands and for your glory. Thank you for creating me in your image, and now, for renewing me to become like Jesus. Help me to reject all the old tapes, messages, and voices that convinced me I was worthless and useless. The Gospel has always been your Plan A for my life. By your grace, continue to heal, change, and free me. In Jesus’ name, I pray.
We are completely and exhaustively forgiven
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace. Eph. 1:7 (NIV)
Heavenly Father, thank you for forgiving all of my sins, all of them. Sins I’ve committed in my thinking, with my words, and by my choices. Sins in the past, sins of today, and the sins I have yet to commit. Such forgiveness is almost too good to be true; and it would be, if you hadn’t sent Jesus to be our perfect Savior. The riches of your grace have proven to be more than sufficient for the bankruptcy of my sin. I praise and bless you. Help me extend the miracle of your forgiveness to others today. In Jesus’ name, I pray.
