A Prayer About Faith And Works

When my efforts for Christ slacken

DEAR LORD,

I am so grateful that my salvation depends totally on you—I am saved by grace alone, through faith alone! I used to be like most people, thinking I could earn your favor and eternal life by regularly attending church, not breaking big commandments, and generally trying to be good. I can remember thinking that my good deeds just had to outweigh my bad ones. That sounds reasonable, but in truth, just one sin is enough to keep me out of heaven. Now I know that in terms of my relationship with you, all those “good deeds” mean nothing. Unfortunately, I can use that truth as an excuse for not working out my faith: showing mercy, fighting injustice, stewarding my resources, acting in love, and speaking truth. James says that without good works faith is “dead and useless” in terms of making any impact in the world. Please keep me from becoming complacent or lazy in my faith, Lord. I want to work hard for you, as a result of your work in me.

You see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless. Now someone may argue, “Some people have faith; others have good deeds.” But I say, “How can you show me your faith if you don’t have good deeds? I will show you my faith by my good deeds.” James 2:17-18