A Prayer for All of Us
Thesis: The American Church and Christians in General Don’t Understand a Critical Gospel Imperative
Evidence: We are more likely to live for our comfort, convenience and security than we are for the Kingdom of God.
Solution: Obey Jesus.
“If anyone would come after me,
let him deny himself and take up his cross,
and follow me.
For whoever would save his life will lose it,
but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it.
(Mark 8:34-35, ESV)
A poetic response to Jesus’ call to follow Him.
I Want to Lose My Life
I want to lose my life.
I want to give it way.
I want to be a dead man walking.
I want to carry my noose to the tree.
I want to die.
I want to waste my life on what the world despises.
So You can give me life.
Oh, give me the death that leads to life.
Copyright Marty Schoenleber, Jr. 2010
“Lord, give me, give each of us the courage to follow You, wherever You call us, to whomever You call us to, for as long as You call us. No matter how inconvenient, insecure, and uncomfortable it seems to us at the moment, give us the grace to answer like Isaiah, “Here am I! Send me.” (Isaiah 6:8) Lord, give such grace to me. I am so tempted to live for the American Dream of comfort, convenience, and security. Don’t let me settle for a shallow and temporary dream when the glories of Your Kingdom are so much greater and deeper. Give such grace, that my life will not be wasted in living for nothing. Amen.”
