Beginning to Absorb Romans 12

Heavenly Father I praise You for answering my prayers. I praise You for helping my grandson getting past RSV at such a very young age.  I praise You for blessing my son while he took 11 teens with the Youth for Christ Thumb group on an all-nighter and then getting to go to a high school playoff game, and the Michigan game with a friend from his college.  I praise You for the time we had with our granddaughter this weekend even though she was sick. 

Holy Spirit by the mercy of God help me to present my body as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to You, which is my reasonable service of worship. Help me to not be conformed to this world, [Romans 12:1-2] I realize that if I did conform to this world God would eventually give me over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not proper.  I would be filled with unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit. I would become a gossip, slanderer, God-hater, insolent, proud, boastful, inventors of evil things and disobedient toward parents, without understanding, covenant breaker, without natural affection, calloused, and unmerciful knowing full well that this would all make me worthy of death. [Romans 1:28-32]  But I am transformed by the renewing of my mind so that I may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God. [Romans 12:2]

Holy Spirit help me to take ownership of renewing my mind by focusing on whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praise worthy—continuing to meditate on these things. [Philippians 4:8]  Help me to take control of my thoughts and to daily seek You in the morning, noon and night desiring that You cleanse me and fellowship with me as we walk together through life. 

Though I stumble often, I continue to get up and repent and follow You.  Have mercy when I demonstrate weakness, give me strength to walk on with You by my side.  Thank You for creating me with a purpose and for having high expectations of me even if I do not always understand why You do.  In Jesus’ name, amen.