Monday - November 10, 2008

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Philippians 2:1-8



If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any
comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any
tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being
like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility
consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not
only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
but made himself nothing,
taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
and became obedient to death�
even death on a cross!


(NIV)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------



The Prayer of Surrender

by
David Muyskens


+ + +

Christ Jesus . . . emptied himself. (vv. 5-7)

+ + +


When I pray the agenda is God's -- not mine.


The pouring out of our hearts in prayer is an emptying of ourselves
to be open to receive what God wants of us. This is the mind of
Christ, who did not pursue equality with God but "emptied himself" to
be a humble servant, obedient to God (Philippians 2:5-8).


The attitude of prayer is surrender. Rather than grasping what I
want, I yield to God's will. In the prayer of surrender I become an
ever more clear reflector of God's image, in which we all have been
created. I open myself to experience what God desires, surrendering
my agenda in love to God.


The prayer of surrender will sometimes use words that express praise
and thanksgiving, confession and intercession. Sometimes it will be a
wordless silence, waiting upon God's Spirit to speak. Sometimes it
will let go of every thought of our own, to simply consent to the
loving presence and healing action of God within.


Our relationship of love with God is beyond words. Neither our
imagination nor our analytical thinking can truly fathom God. We come
to know God by receiving the love of Christ. We take the humble
position of a recipient, emptied of selfishness, ready to be
transformed by the grace and love of Christ.



Triune God, we surrender in love to you. Amen.