Joyful Moments in Christ

The journey of the Christian life is often one of shedding layers, requiring us to let go of the habits, attitudes, and masks that we have used to protect ourselves or get ahead. We frequently feel the tension between who we are and who we know we were meant to be in Christ. This prayer is based on the instructions in Colossians 3 and is an honest look at that transformation. It acknowledges the struggle of putting off the “old self” and asks for the grace to be renewed into the image of our creator. As we seek to follow Jesus, we will find that our greatest contentment comes not from being true to our broken instincts, but from being restored to the beautiful image of the one who made us.

A Prayer

Dear Father,

You are perfect in all ways. You are holy, compassionate, kind, humble, meek, patient, and forgiving. I adore you because you are the source of all that is good and true. Your character is the standard of beauty, and your wisdom is beyond my understanding. I praise you for being the creator who fashioned us with purpose and for being the redeemer who refuses to leave us in our brokenness.

I confess that I often do not share these traits. I seek out wickedness, desire revenge, speak harshly, demand recognition, seize honor, lose my temper, and refuse to forgive. I am sorry that I resist your ways! I admit that I often cling to my “old self” because it feels safer or more satisfying in the moment. I lie to others and to myself, pretending to be more than I am and hiding the darkness I still harbor. I have warped the image you gave me into something that looks little like you.

Thank you that you are working in me to put off these practices and make me more like you. I am so grateful that you do not leave me to my own devices. As Colossians 3:9-10 (ESV) says: “Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.” Thank you for the promise of renewal and for the patience you show me as I learn to walk in your light.

Please change me back into your image. Do your work in me, no matter what it costs. Make me holy and pure. Help me to love others as you love me, with a heart that is being constantly renewed in knowledge of you. I ask that you would grant me the joy of seeing your Spirit produce fruit in my life where there was once only bitterness. Help me to find my identity and contentment in the new self you have provided through Christ. Please give me the strength to follow Jesus faithfully, putting on kindness and humility every single day.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Reflect

Consider the following reflection questions:

1. What is one habit or “practice” of your old self that you are finding hard to let go of lately?
2. How does knowing that God is currently renewing you give you hope when you fail?
3. In what way has your understanding or “knowledge” of God changed how you treat other people?
4. What does it mean to you personally to be made in the “image of its creator”?
5. Which of God’s traits, like patience or kindness, do you most want him to grow in you this week?

Respond

Please pray a prayer about putting on the new self.

If you aren’t sure where to begin, you can use the ACTS method: Adoration, Confession, Thankfulness, and Supplication:

• Adoration: Praise God. Does this topic bring any specific characteristics of God to mind?
• Confession: Tell God that you are sorry for specific sins. Does this topic bring any specific sins to mind?
• Thankfulness: Show gratitude towards God. Does anything from this topic inspire gratitude?
• Supplication: Make requests for yourself and for others. Does anything from this topic inspire a prayer?

If helpful, you can use a prayer journal template.

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Related Resources

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English Standard Version (ESV): Unless otherwise noted, scripture quotations are 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.