A Prayer

A number of you have asked me for a copy of the prayer that I read at the end of my sermon last week on Paul’s famous words, “To live is Christ, to die is gain (Philippians 1: 21)”. For those of you who weren’t here, it was found in the journal of a martyred African pastor after his death. Here it is again:

     “I’m a part of the fellowship of the unashamed. The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The
     decision has been made. I’m a follower of Christ and I won’t look back, let up, slow down, back away, or
     be still.

     My past is redeemed. My present makes sense. My future is secure. I’m done and finished with low
     living, sight walk ing, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, mundane talking,
     cheap living, and dwarfed goals.


     I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity. I don’t have to
     be right, or first, or tops, or recognized, or praised, or rewarded. I live by faith, lean on His presence,
     walk by patience, rely on prayer, and labor by Holy Spirit power.

     My face is set. My gait is fast. My goal is heaven. My road may be narrow, my way rough, my
     companions few, but my Lord is reliable and my mission is clear.

     I will not be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded or delayed.

     I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice or hesitate in the presence of the adversary. I will not negotiate at
     the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity.

     I won’t give up, shut up, or let up until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up, and preached up
     for the cause of Christ.

     I am a disciple of Jesus. I must give until I drop, preach until all know, and work until He comes. And
     when He does come for His own, He’ll have no problems recognizing me, for I am a follower of Jesus
     and my colors will be clear!”

May the One who “works in us to will and to act according to His good purpose” (Phil 2:13) fill us with the same passion and devotion as we learn daily to follow Him.