A Prayer About Denial

A prayer about Denial

When I wonder what it means to deny myself

Lord,

When I decided to follow you, I made a choice not to base my life on my own will and desires. You call me to deny my self-centered attitudes for the sake of obeying you, to exercise restraint and self-discipline. I want to follow you wholeheartedly, Lord. I love you, and I want to be willing to give up anything you ask if it will draw me closer to you. I am not a finished product yet, but I invite you to work in my heart to accomplish this. I know you will be faithful to finish the work you started in me.

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it.” Matthew 16:24-25