“Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
and uphold me with a willing spirit.”
– Psalm 51:12
This is a great prayer whenever you’re struggling! Struggling with the blahs. Struggling with sin. Struggling with discouragement. Struggling with failure. If you’re a follower of Jesus, your struggles and failures don’t define you in God’s eyes. The triumph of Jesus, His holiness, and His righteousness define you. Unfortunately, when you’re in the valley it can be hard to feel or remember that. So pray like David did here…
Pray for God to renew your joy in your salvation. Pray that He would encourage you with the knowledge that your sins have been completely forgiven. Pray that He would lift you up in the confident assurance that He has chosen and adopted you, embracing you in love. Pray that He will give you contentment in knowing that His Spirit lives in you and that you are in ongoing union with His Son, Jesus. Pray that He will refresh your joy in your exalted status in His Kingdom and renew your satisfaction in being able to enjoy fellowship and friendship with Him. In Christ, you are a blood-bought, beloved child of God and co-heir of creation alongside your adopted brother Jesus!
Pray too for God to give you a spirit willing to obey and follow Jesus. Pray for God to break down any stubborn strongholds in your heart, mind, or soul that keep you in sin and interfere with your spiritual health. Pray for God to break down distractions and diversions that hinder your spiritual growth and maturity. Pray for God to strengthen you to do whatever you must to pursue your relationship with Him more fully and walk in step with His Holy Spirit. Pray for God to help you crucify “the works of the flesh” and produce in you “the fruit of the Spirit” – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. #FollowJesus