A Prayer About Being A Christian

When I identify with Christ

MY SAVIOR,

I call myself a Christian. But to many that just means that I am not an atheist, a Jew, a Muslim, a Hindu, or something else. Ever since its founding, my nation has claimed to be “Christian,” and most citizens would put that as religious preference on a poll. In my community, numerous institutions have that in their titles. But I know that, much more than a historical designation or religious category, the word means “Christ-one.” So ostensibly Christians are claiming to be your devoted followers, identified with you. I think it also means that we should be like you. You told the disciples that they could see the Father by looking at you and that people should be able to see you in them. So, dear Jesus, as one who claims to be a Christian, I want to be worthy of that name, even as our society becomes increasingly unchristian. I promise, with your strength, to keep my focus on you and try to emulate your values, attitude, perspective, and actions. When people look at me, may they see you.

Barnabas went on to Tarsus to look for Saul. When he found him, he brought him back to Antioch. Both of them stayed there with the church for a full year, teaching large crowds of people. (It was at Antioch that the believers were first called Christians.) Acts 11:25-26