A Prayer About Excellence

When I set a standard for my life

LORD,

I like cruise control in my car because driving seems easier, but this automotive convenience can put me in danger if I’m not paying attention. I can also put life on cruise control. That’s easy to do—not too complicated; it usually means doing just enough to get by at work, at church, in responsibilities and assignments, in relationships . . . in life. Usually living that way doesn’t happen by choice; I simply drift into a comfortable mode and pace. Then, if I’m not careful, I begin to settle for average effort, mediocre work, and okay behavior, certainly not stretching to accomplish more than what is required. But you desire much more than simply a passing grade, just getting by. You expect my best effort in every area, demanding excellence, especially in worship, values, and morality. So I don’t want to fall short and settle for anything less. Others may be satisfied with lesser goals and standards, but I represent you. Give me strength to not “settle” and to move beyond good and better to best—God-honoring excellence.

Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone. 2 Peter 1:5-7