Morning Prayer - With the Heart of a Little Child

Father, today I want to be like a small child who is not afraid to fall, knowing that You will always be there to pick me up again.

But Your Word shatters these chains of lies.

“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:1)

Lord, how many times have I tried to change myself! And each time, I ended up acting even worse than before. I surrender this powerlessness to You and ask You for a heart without pride, one that acknowledges I can do nothing without Your grace. When I finally learned that I do not have to carry guilt after I repent, it was like walking out of a dark prison.

Your work on the cross was perfect. You do not need my help, my “feelings of guilt,” for Your forgiveness to be complete.

I do not want to be perfect overnight. I only desire not to give up.

“Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.” (Philippians 3:12)

Help me to be like a small child learning to walk. I will fall, perhaps a hundred times a day, but I desire the grace to always get back up and move forward. To not weep at every fall, but simply to pick myself up and continue on the path.

How liberating it is to know that You know my heart. You see my desire to do what is right, even when I fail. You know everything about me.

“You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.” (Psalm 139:2)

You did not choose a perfect apple, Lord. You chose me, bruised, perhaps even with a wormhole. And despite everything You know about me, You love me unconditionally. Before the foundation of the world, You chose me for Yourself.

My conscience may be clear, but I know that does not make me justified. My feelings are not the measure of my worth or my guilt.

“My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me.” (1 Corinthians 4:4)

You are my judge, and You have set me free. Help me today to truly forget what is behind and to focus on what lies ahead. Help me find my purpose in loving You and others. Thank you, for you are the one who tears down walls of shame and guilt in my life.

I will no longer be angry with myself. I accept Your forgiveness. I accept Your grace, which is the strength to accomplish with ease what I could never do on my own. Today will be a good day.