Joyful Moments in Christ

A Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank you so much for sending Jesus to live a perfect life and to die in my place. Without him, I would be destined for punishment and a life apart from you. Jesus’ words in John 19:30 (ESV), “It is finished,” are truly amazing and worth contemplating. Help me as I try to live a “finished life” as a follower of Jesus who fully believes these meaningful words.

Hebrews 9:24-26 (ESV) tells us that Jesus “has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.” This single sacrifice was enough to wash me clean of everything that I have done and everything I will do. The horror in the Old Testament of having to repeatedly offer sacrifices makes me want to cry. The pain and suffering that I witnessed in The Passion of the Christ has made me weep.

In Psalm 51:7 (ESV), David said, “Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.” He had to ask this over and over again, but because of Jesus, all we have to do is make him Lord and King of our lives. Please help me to do this! Don’t let me wander away, but keep me close as a beloved child of God.

Being a child of God has so many implications and I ask you to help me process this and live like the daughter that I am. While you have more than enough grace to cover any sin I might commit, sinning intentionally seems very wrong and not the way a child of God should act. Paul explains this very well in Romans 6:1-2 (ESV), “What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?” This obedience to God seems to be the definition of living a finished life!

As a daughter, I need to not only know your teachings, but joyfully act on your teachings. It is so tempting to know the words, say the words, but not do the words. This frustrates me to no end when my children act this way, and I’m sure that you are even more grieved than I am when I disobey. I did not sacrifice my own son to pay the penalty for disobedience. Every time I disobey, what must be going through your mind? How much do you remember Jesus’ pain and suffering each time I sin? How joyful are you each time I resist temptation?

Teach me a new way to live. Remember your words in Psalm 25:8-10 (ESV), “Good and upright is the Lord; therefore he instructs sinners in the way. He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way. All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness, for those who keep his covenant and his testimonies.” Please instruct me! Help me to be humble and learn. Assist me in keeping your covenant and testimonies. It is only with you that I can succeed and truly live a finished life!

In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

Read: “It is Finished”: How Do We Live a Finished Life?

Reflection Questions

After reading this prayer, consider the following reflection questions and then say your own prayer about living a finished life:

1. How does the declaration “It is finished” in John 19:30 impact your understanding of Jesus’ sacrifice and its significance in your life?
2. In what ways does the idea of a single sacrifice, as mentioned in Hebrews 9:24-26, differ from the repeated sacrifices in the Old Testament? How does this impact your perception of Jesus’ sacrifice?
3. Consider the implications of being referred to as a “child of God.” How does this identity shape your perspective on your relationship with God and your responsibilities as a believer?
4. Explore the distinction between intentional and unintentional sin, as discussed in Romans 6:1-2. How does this understanding influence your approach to living a life aligned with your faith?
5. Reflect on the temptation to know and say the teachings of God without joyfully acting on them. In what areas of your life do you find this temptation most challenging, and how can you overcome it?
6. Consider the questions posed about God’s perspective on your disobedience and resistance to temptation. How does this perspective shape your motivation for living a faithful life?
7. Explore the idea that you can be taught by God, as expressed in Psalm 25:8-10. In what ways are you open to learning from God, and how can you cultivate humility in your spiritual journey?
8. What does living a “finished life” mean to you? How can you actively participate in this ongoing process with God’s guidance?

Consider sharing your insights and experiences in the comments below!

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English Standard Version (ESV): Scripture quotations marked (ESV) are taken from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The ESV text may not be quoted in any publication made available to the public by a Creative Commons license. The ESV may not be translated in whole or in part into any other language.