A Prayer for Perspective

Philippians 1:12 and following is the apostle Paul’s words from prison and yet they are words of surprising joy as he saw the way God turned imprisonment into an opening for the gospel, his hardship into encouragement for the brethren and his absence as an opportunity for new preachers to share the gospel message.  I am convicted that I often do not focus on the opportunity, joy and encouragement in these circumstances but often allow myself to be imprisoned in a dungeon of despair.  Here’s a prayer from my journal asking God to give me His perspective in those times.

 

“Sovereign Lord: 

You have the wisdom to advance the gospel and your cause in ways and through people and events that surprise me - even startle, scare and disappoint me!  Give me your perspective on my circumstances.  Grant me eyes to focus on the eternal good rather than the temporary affliction.  Give me a heart that feels more intensely the joy in the advance of the gospel than the pain of personal offense or loss.  Protect me from becoming envious, defensive, bitter, hard or cynical.  Let the life of Jesus Christ course my veins so that when I bleed in death, I bleed the love of Jesus. Amen."