When I Feel Empty

Posted on Aug 28, 2014 Topic : Weekly Devotionals

Be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. 1 Corinthians 15:58

Gracious Lord, I confess the burdens I have tried to carry myself: personal needs, physical tiredness, weariness of living on my own strength, anxiety for the suffering people endure, discouragement in renewing the tradition-bound church, frustration in caring for religious people who may not know You, and anguish over the battle for justice and righteousness in culture. I come empty to be filled, humanly inadequate to be anointed with gifts beyond my talents: a riverbed ready to receive the flow of Your supernatural power. Thank You for loving me as I am, but not leaving me there. Help me press on to live with greater passion than ever before.

You have shown me that the antidote to pride is praise. In this time of prayer, I intentionally praise You for all that I might be tempted to think I have achieved on my own. Pride stunts my spiritual growth and makes me a difficult person for You to bless. Forgive me when I grasp the glory for myself. Thank You for breaking the bubble of the illusion that I am where I am because of my own cleverness or cunning. Humbly I acknowledge that I could not think a creative thought without Your inspiration and guidance, or accomplish anything of lasting value without Your power and courage. Amen.

May our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace, comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work. 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17