“This is a day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Recently I was conversing with a middle-aged man, who had committed his life to God in his youth. Things were not going well for him, and he was doubting. The question naturally came up about the last time he gave his life to God. He seemed baffled and said that he gave his life to God when he was a teen and it should suffice. End of story. But is it?
The Serenity Prayer is often recited at AA meetings. They always end it with, “Just for today.” I think there is great wisdom in focusing on today, because the spiritual battle never ends. Most recovering alcoholics can tell you when they quit drinking and have coins to prove it. It is a great day, and it is celebrated! But they all know that the battle, while won, the war is not over. So, it is with those of us who have committed our lives to God. It is a quizzical mystery that even though I’ve given my life to God and Jesus has victory over the sin in my life, that I still have the tendency to continue my sinful behavior.
Like recovering alcoholics, I find it quite useful to recommit my life to God every day. I want to ask you a question. When was the last time you committed yourself to God? If it is not a daily practice, it might be good to give it a go. As part of my morning prayer, I speak to God and acknowledge my sinfulness, ask for forgiveness, and promise to do my best, just for today. Here is a prayer from Christ Life that may be helpful. “Lord God, please forgive me for all the things I have done wrong. I turn to you and turn away from sin. Jesus, please be the center of my life. I welcome you personally as Lord and Savior of my life. I ask you, Holy Spirit, to fill me and empower me to live as a child of God. I want to have your grace to truly live a new life. Thankyou for hearing my prayer through Christ our Lord. Amen.”
I also pray that prayer, or a similar Act of Contrition, along with other prayers like the Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory be, along with a prayer to my Guardian Angel, just after I turn on my C-PAP machine and fall blissfully asleep. “Now I lay me down to sleep. I pray the Lord my soul to keep. If I should die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take. Amen.”
“May the Lord bless and keep you. May he let his face shine upon you, be gracious to you and give you his peace.”
