Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Romans 12:1-2 NIV
I find it comforting when I sense the Lord revealing His love and truth to me in themes. He knows I’m a sucker for imagery, symbolism and connectedness. He’s so sweet and kind to speak to the uniqueness of our hearts and happenings, and I try to capture His loving guidance in writing for reference as we go.
The words of the prayer in this post are a combination of phrases from Alisa Keeton, John Eldridge, scripture. My own thoughts are mixed in and inspired by current studies, my husband’s latest love of candle-lit lanterns and the beautiful warm sunshine Oklahoma has received lately. Regardless the source, I firmly believe this is a Spirit-led message that not only stirs my soul but prayerfully yours! But we’ve got to lay a few things down at the altar first.
It’s time we burn great amounts of spiritual calories because, in Scripture, fire is always involved when something is sacrificed or sanctified.
Alisa Keeton
The missions of Holy Barre & Deeper Wells, ‘burning brighter together’ and ‘worshipping in Spirit & in Truth in all we do’, are expressions of His love, His all consuming fire. The more we surrender, lay down, and let go of or ‘sacrifice’, the brighter our flame. The more consumed we are with Him, the less room we have for fear, anxiety, hurt and worries of the world. We all need hope and healing, which ultimately can only be found in His love and power. Worship reminds us of His love and power, stirs us with awe and wonder, and fills us with His Spirit and truth. Let the prayer further down in this post burn within as you breathe deeply.
Take some time now to reflect on this truth: If you want to become a wholehearted person, you must reach the point where happily, lovingly, you give absolutely everything over to God in order to have Him. You make Jesus your everything. Not only is this the fulfillment of your heart’s created destiny, it is the source of all recover and resilience.
John Eldredge
I’m personally experiencing the value of slowing down to fully process each thought and feeling and put them under His loving reign. This need for renewal does often come with pain, but His power and His presence are steady and ready for us!
Let us pray . . .
Jesus, fill me with Your glory, Your beauty, Your love, Your power. I am Your temple. May I feel Your love for me abundantly today. I need You. I love You.
I need you, Jesus, to love the hell out of me because my flesh is exhausting me and I’m trying again and again. Blessed are the poor in Spirit. At times, I don’t have anything left. I fall into Your lap and let You love me. Burn away the things I’m running from. You are saying come to me, and I’ll never hunger or thirst! I’ve got to heal! Yet even how we heal is different from the world! I am different in a holy, whole, and healthy way. I come to You! I worship – don’t work harder. Just worship. I’ve been saved by grace.
My body is for ability, not vanity. My body is to make You known! I’m a living sacrifice. May my life reflect Your sacrifice. I desire to keep the altar burning . . . burning so brightly that others come to experience His consuming fire.
The world needs people who love God so much the fruit just falls off of them. Not people who look down on or judge others. Help me speak life over myself and others and have compassion towards us all.
Truth’s shining light guides me in my choices and decisions; the revelation of your Word makes my pathway clear. Everything you speak to me is like joyous treasure, filling my life with gladness.
Psalm 119:105, 111 TPT
Father, Jesus, Holy Spirit – I pray that your Glory would fill my heart and soul, my mind and strength. May the River of Life flow into every barren place in my heart and soul. May your springs flow into every valley. Turn the desert places in me into Eden. Give me wisdom that comes from You. Fill me again with your Eden Glory. May I burn bright with your glory!
And, Father, may your Eden Glory shield me from all desolations coming over my life. I renounce every agreement I might have made with Desolation. I pray your Glory would fill my life – restoring me, renewing me, giving me supernatural resilience, empowerment and protection. I also invoke your Glory over my life as a shield, over my household and domain.
Those who are wise will shine radiantly as the sky at midday. And those who turn many to the way of righteousness will shine brightly as stars for all eternity.
Daniel 12:3 TPT
Come and fill my heart with Your Glory. Fill my heart with Your beauty, power, and love. I trust You, Lord. I trust You with it all, everyone and everything. In the name of Lord Jesus Christ, ruler of heaven and earth. Thank you, Lord! Amen.
Beloved friends, what should be our proper response to God’s marvelous mercies? To surrender yourselves to God to be his sacred, living sacrifices. And live in holiness, experiencing all that delights his heart. For this becomes your genuine expression of worship. Stop imitating the ideals and opinions of the culture around you, but be inwardly transformed by the Holy Spirit through a total reformation of how you think. This will empower you to discern God’s will as you live a beautiful life, satisfying and perfect in his eyes.
Romans 12:1-2 TPT
Burning Bright! 