“I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of His resurrection and participation in His sufferings, becoming like Him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained this… but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:10-14 (NIV)

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” 2 Timothy 4:7 (NIV)

Dear Lord and God, 

We enter the spiritual fight only to find a battle within ourselves as well. We war against our own self-serving will and the desires that deceive and enslave us, while promising protection. But we know that there is only One pursuit worthy of our one brief life. It is not behind us but before us, where You lead. Let us press on, pursuing and reaching for what lies ahead! We don’t look back, ensnared and wasting precious time. We determine to live in this “now,” with You, by You, for You. We “burn” to ash, every vessel of “escape”and cling to this present and Precious Hope—You, Jesus! You are coming back! 

Help us to rise above our fears, rather than being controlled by them. We shall not die but live! Help us in this good fight, the one for which You’ve equipped us. It is winnable, by faith, against the enemy of unbelief and despair! You are taking care of every other battle front. But to this one, we give our all, we burn the ships of retreat or futile attempts to “fix” a past You have already redeemed. We are decided— we place all hope and trust in You. Let Resurrection, Holy Spirit Life, the very Power of our God enable us to stand and deliver our life, our hope and our love to You, our Forever King! 

In Jesus Name Forever