Romans 12:11
11 Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit,g]" >[g] serve the Lord. NIV
11 Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically NLT
When turning a verse into a prayer we look for commands, promises, admonitions, examples, warnings, and many other things like attributes both good or bad. Todays verse is a strong admonition in our pursuit after God.
Paul first addresses the use of our time. There was absolutely no comprehension for Paul of a Sunday Christian. Paul encourages to make use of our time…all the time. What would the members of your congregation look like, if they were just striving to live out the first apart of this verse.
The root word for fervent carries the idea of hot or boiling. When something is boiling, others notice. Paul is saying be “on fire in your spiritual life”. Do this is such a way that others are making comments about the expression of your commitment.
Finally, Paul uses a term for a familiar imagery of the day. The word for serve is the root for slave. Paul is saying that our relationship of our commitment is as a slave to his master. We are here to serve the one who saved our lives. Not out of compulsion, but in love and thankfulness.
Father, I love you. But even those words can seem hollow if my life is not burning for you with the intensity that even I know that it should be. Teach me today where I may be slow, slothful or lacking in my zeal for you.
Father, I can not create a fire in me by my own efforts. But I do know that as I get close to your…you heat me up. Like Moses who would glow after being in your presence, I also want to glow. In the New Testament Father you say that your glory dwells within. Help me take all the time that I can to make sure that your baptism of fire is burning through my life.
Father, you do not desire part time servants. Rather we are always available to you and to your desires. Forgive me when I think that I have my own agenda and live in such a way as trying to fit your agenda into mine.
Father, I know that it is necessary to ask you to make these things true in my life, In Jesus Name Amen
11 Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit,g]" >[g] serve the Lord. NIV
11 Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically NLT
When turning a verse into a prayer we look for commands, promises, admonitions, examples, warnings, and many other things like attributes both good or bad. Todays verse is a strong admonition in our pursuit after God.
Paul first addresses the use of our time. There was absolutely no comprehension for Paul of a Sunday Christian. Paul encourages to make use of our time…all the time. What would the members of your congregation look like, if they were just striving to live out the first apart of this verse.
The root word for fervent carries the idea of hot or boiling. When something is boiling, others notice. Paul is saying be “on fire in your spiritual life”. Do this is such a way that others are making comments about the expression of your commitment.
Finally, Paul uses a term for a familiar imagery of the day. The word for serve is the root for slave. Paul is saying that our relationship of our commitment is as a slave to his master. We are here to serve the one who saved our lives. Not out of compulsion, but in love and thankfulness.
Father, I love you. But even those words can seem hollow if my life is not burning for you with the intensity that even I know that it should be. Teach me today where I may be slow, slothful or lacking in my zeal for you.
Father, I can not create a fire in me by my own efforts. But I do know that as I get close to your…you heat me up. Like Moses who would glow after being in your presence, I also want to glow. In the New Testament Father you say that your glory dwells within. Help me take all the time that I can to make sure that your baptism of fire is burning through my life.
Father, you do not desire part time servants. Rather we are always available to you and to your desires. Forgive me when I think that I have my own agenda and live in such a way as trying to fit your agenda into mine.
Father, I know that it is necessary to ask you to make these things true in my life, In Jesus Name Amen