A reflection on being a disciple

Reflections for the day

Matthew 16:24-26

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?

Psalm 119:37-38

Turn my eyes away from worthless things;

preserve my life according to your word.
Fulfil your promise to your servant,
so that you may be feared.

When it becomes clear to us that prayer is a part of our daily programme of work, it will also become clear to us that we must arrange our daily programme in such a way that there is time also for this work, just as we set aside time for other necessary things, such as eating and dressing.

– O. Hallesby

The entire day receives order and discipline when it acquires unity. This unity must be sought and found in Morning Prayer. The Morning Prayer determines the day.

– Dietrich Bonhoeffer

A reflection on being your disciple

Heavenly Father,

It is at this time of Lent that we reflect upon the forty days that your Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, spent in the Wilderness. We are able to see in a way that is clear that during a period of Lent that many are led into what is described as a repentance, and we are able to see in a way that is clear that through the discipline of prayer many can grow in a grace, and many are able to live a life of righteousness.

Heavenly Father, we acknowledge that your Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, taught Mankind to follow yourself, Our Heavenly Father. We acknowledge that to follow you will mean there is a need to set aside all things that are abhorrent to you. We are able to see in a way that is clear that there is a need to be single-minded and that this is a desire of you in order for all Mankind to place yourself first in all that is thought, and in all that is said, and in all that is done. We are able to see in a way that is clear that this will mean a life of obedience to you, and we are able to see in a way that is clear that there is a need to be able to remain upon a path which is a path that is straight, and which is a path that is narrow, toward your light that is eternal. We acknowledge that this requires a discipline in what is said and in what is done. We acknowledge that there is a need to perceive, and a need to discern your word in Scripture, and that there is a need to uphold your word to another, and that there is a need to be a servant of yours, always.

Heavenly Father, your Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, revealed to all in the Sermon on the Mount that there is a need to live a life of righteousness, and that a life of righteousness is one that is formalised by a repentance. We are able to see in a way that is clear that to repent means to incur a change of attitude in all that is said, and in all that is done.

Heavenly Father, it is at this time we acknowledge that some lead a life that can be described as one that is of a “worldly living.” We acknowledge that many are able to see in a way that is clear that your world that we live in is a world that is tainted by greed, and is a world that is tainted by materialism, and is a world that is tainted by selfishness.

Heavenly Father, we ask you to guide all Mankind in a daily life, and we ask you to guide all Mankind to turn a back on a life tainted by greed, and to turn a back on a life tainted by materialism, and to turn a back on a life tainted by selfishness, and to ask for a life to be nourished in a way that is spiritual.

Heavenly Father, many will, at a time in the future, desire to lay down a life for you but will fall short in your expectation, and many will, at a time in the future, desire to be your obedient servant but will be reluctant at times to put aside a materialistic way, and many will, at a time in the future, desire to be ready to do your will but will at times be rebellious.

Heavenly Father, we ask you to guide many to be disciplined in proffering a prayer that is daily, and is one that is proffered on a basis that is regular throughout a day, and we ask you to guide many in a reading of your Scripture so that all eyes are open in a way that is continuous, and in a way that will sense your presence in your world.

Heavenly Father, we uphold to yourself, Our Heavenly Father, all that has been said in the name of yourself, Our Heavenly Father, and in the name of your Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, who together with your Holy Spirit, reigns on most high, and is, and was, and always will be, the most supreme, and the most absolute power and being, that rules over all who are of this world that we live in, now and always, for evermore.

Amen.