Joyful Moments in Christ

We often spend our lives searching for a love that will finally stick, a commitment that won’t waver when we are at our worst. In our human experience, affection often feels conditional or fleeting, leaving us restless and insecure. This prayer based on Jeremiah 31:3 invites us to rest in a different kind of affection: a love that began “from far away” and stretches into eternity. As we seek to follow Jesus, we will find that our deepest contentment and joy are discovered not by making ourselves more lovable, but by accepting that we are already held by a God whose faithfulness never ends.

A Prayer

Dear Father,

You are a loving God who cares more for each of your children than any of us can imagine. I adore you for the sheer scale of your affection. You are the high and lofty one who inhabits eternity, and yet you reach down into our time and space to claim us as your own. Your heart is an ocean of mercy, and your kindness is the steady rhythm of the universe. No matter what we do, you have pledged an everlasting love. Your faithfulness is incredible!

I am so sorry that I take your grace for granted. I confess that I often treat your mercy like a common thing rather than the costly treasure it is. I trivialize Jesus’ sacrifice by living as though my sin does not matter. I forget that he was a real man that experienced real suffering on my behalf. Rather than show my appreciation through obedience, I try to walk all over you, ignore your commands, and demand my way. I am sorry for the pride that makes me believe I am the center of my own world, and for the coldness of heart that fails to be moved by your passion.

Thank you for your faithfulness in changing me into your image bearer. While I still have a long way to go, each day is a new day where you continue to build me up into a new creation. I am so grateful that you do not leave me in the mess I have made of myself. Thank you for the assurance in Jeremiah 31:3 (ESV): “The Lord appeared to him from far away. I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you.” Thank you that your love is not a reaction to my goodness, but a result of your character. I sing your praise in gratitude for a bond that can never be broken.

Please continue to walk with me in good times and bad. Continue to show me your love and compassion when I am lonely or discouraged. Continue to be faithful to me when I am prone to wander. I ask that you would fill me with a quiet and steady joy, knowing that my future is secured by your ancient promise. Help me to find true contentment in being your beloved child, no matter what my circumstances look like. Strengthen me to follow Jesus with a heart that is captivated by your grace.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Reflect

Consider the following reflection questions:

1. What does it mean to you that God loved you from far away before you were even born?
2. In what ways have you been tempted to believe that God’s love for you changes based on your behavior?
3. How can remembering the real suffering of Jesus help you take his grace more seriously today?
4. Where have you seen God building you up or changing you over the past year?
5. How would your perspective on today’s challenges change if you truly accepted that you are loved with an everlasting love?

Respond

Please pray a prayer about <topic>.

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.