A Prayer About Following Christ

A prayer about Following Christ - Seeking him alone

DEAR JESUS,

People were streaming from everywhere to see you. Some were drawn to the show, the new religious celebrity; some wanted healing; others were seeking the Messiah. You told them the truth: All those who sincerely want to follow you must give up life as they know it and be ready to die. As I look around my community, I see many buildings dedicated to your memory, most of them churches that are often filled with people—me included—who claim to be your followers. I wonder how they would respond to your call to “take up your cross.” How about me, Savior? Have I truly turned from my self-centered and self-serving ways? Have I taken up my “cross,” giving total devotion to you? I’m afraid I fall short, so often consumed with looking and feeling good and devoted more to this world than to the next. Forgive me, Savior. And please keep reminding me that seeking to gain the whole world is a terrible waste. Jesus, I want to follow only you.

[Jesus] said, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. . . . What do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul?” Mark 8:34, 36