DAY 10: PRAY FOR RESILIENCE – PASTOR HEIDEN RATNER
PASTOR HEIDEN RATNER
[/nectar_highlighted_text]
SCRIPTURE
Philippians 3:14–15a
14. I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15. Let those of us who are mature think this way…”
DEVOTION
Growing up as an athlete I often heard coaches say: “It’s not how you start, but how you finish!” Here we are on Day 10 of 21 Days of Prayer, Fasting, and Fitness. We are just about at the halfway point. This devotional is to encourage you to keep going! If for some reason you stopped praying, fasting, or engaging in some type of fitness activity – here’s your sign to start today!
Resilience is about getting back up, recovering from difficult times, and finishing strong. When I think about resilience my mind goes to NFL star quarter back, Tom Brady who after being traded to a new team was consistently counted out and encouraged to retire. What did he do instead? He led the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to their first Super Bowl Championship in 18 years. But I don’t want our minds to stop at Brady. If we go back two thousand years before football was even a thing, you’ll find a Savior named Jesus carrying a wooden cross up to Calvary’s hill.
Jesus, at any moment could have set the cross down and hit the eject button on His rescue mission for sinners like me and you. But He didn’t do that, instead He showed the ultimate form of resilience by enduring the cross, despising its shame, and finishing His race. (Hebrews 12:2) What a Savior He is. Today, whatever it is that you’re facing I want to encourage you to bring it to the Lord, pray for His resilience to come alive in you, and to press on in Christ.
PRAYER
Father, I come before You in the name of the Resilient One, Jesus, and by the power of Your Holy Spirit. Today I ask you for resilience in all that I’m walking through. Help me to keep my head up and my eyes fixed on Jesus. When I’m tempted to give-up or give-in, don’t let me. Help me to keep praying, keep trusting, and keep fighting the good fight. I know You’re fighting for me, Lord. I trust in You today and I ask You to help me finish strong! In Jesus name, amen!
ACTION STEP
- Identify areas you have lacked resilience in and bring them to Jesus in prayer.
IDEAS:
- Look up the Scriptures: 2 Timothy 1:7, Isaiah 41:10, Ephesians 6:10-11
- Ask someone to hold you accountable during the second half of 21 days of prayer, fasting, and fitness.
FITNESS
IDEAS:
- Run, jog, or walk the tenth mile out of the total of 21.
- Do 19 sit-ups and 19 push-ups.
