There is a battle going on both within and without. Within the flesh rages against the spirit because the time of the former is short, therefore it wants to indulge in its carnal desires while it has the opportunity. Outside of our bodies the Devil and all of his minions are scheming and plotting to help our traitorous flesh to overcome our spirit man, that we may be sons of disobedience. As Paul says, "Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?" (Romans 7:24 ESV). Thank the Lord, Jesus Christ came to save us from ourselves. I am therefore writing this prayer to help us to further establish (and at times re-establish) a right relationship with God.
Prayer to do the Lord's Will
Lord Jesus Christ please align my heart, mind, body, soul and spirit with your will. Please forgive me of all my past transgressions, in particular my inner striving and self-seeking, please cover my sins, putting them in a bag and sealing them up, never to be remembered again. Lord my flesh wars against my spirit and, sinful person that I am, sometimes it overcomes me. I plead your mercy and steadfast love and ask that you please be merciful to me on those occasions that I have stumbled, for I am but a man. I am a sinner Lord but your grace is more than sufficient for me. Lord please give me a more willing spirit, willing to do your will and not my own, to heed the voice of the Holy Spirit and not that of my flesh or of the Devil, to choose life over death in all things. Lord please be gracious to me. I affirm the declaration of St. John the Baptist, may I decrease and you increase, in all ways. Thank you Lord for delivering me from myself and drawing me closer to you into a more and more intimate fellowship. Amen.
References: Job 14:17, Galatians 5:17, Psalm 103:17, Psalm 100:5, 2 Corinthians 12:9, Psalm 51:12, Romans 6:18, John 3:30.
Prayer to do the Lord's Will
Lord Jesus Christ please align my heart, mind, body, soul and spirit with your will. Please forgive me of all my past transgressions, in particular my inner striving and self-seeking, please cover my sins, putting them in a bag and sealing them up, never to be remembered again. Lord my flesh wars against my spirit and, sinful person that I am, sometimes it overcomes me. I plead your mercy and steadfast love and ask that you please be merciful to me on those occasions that I have stumbled, for I am but a man. I am a sinner Lord but your grace is more than sufficient for me. Lord please give me a more willing spirit, willing to do your will and not my own, to heed the voice of the Holy Spirit and not that of my flesh or of the Devil, to choose life over death in all things. Lord please be gracious to me. I affirm the declaration of St. John the Baptist, may I decrease and you increase, in all ways. Thank you Lord for delivering me from myself and drawing me closer to you into a more and more intimate fellowship. Amen.
References: Job 14:17, Galatians 5:17, Psalm 103:17, Psalm 100:5, 2 Corinthians 12:9, Psalm 51:12, Romans 6:18, John 3:30.
