A Prayer about Ultimate Insanity

Do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance? (Rom. 2:4 NIV)

On Friday’s I have been sharing prayers with you. Today’s prayer was written by Pastor Scotty Smith, a dear man of God who serves in Nashville, TN. This is from his book Everyday Prayers –365 Days to Gospel-Centered Praying

Heavenly Father, I’ve seen many crazy things in my life. I’ve encountered a few crazy people. And I’ve certainly done my share of crazy things. But the most certifiably insane thing I do is to show contempt for the riches of your kindness, tolerance, and patience toward me in Jesus. I do this when I dig my heels in and refuse to follow your kindness into fresh repentance.

The GPS of the gospel will never direct me to a destination of harm but only to a place of greater freedom. When I refuse to humble myself, when I refuse to acknowledge the ways I love poorly and act out immaturely, when I refuse to repent of attitudes and actions that rob me and others and most tragically rob you of glory, that is insanity. Showing contempt for your kindness is true craziness!

Father, I praise you today for being outrageously affluent in the currency of kindness, tolerance, and patience. There’s no economic downturn in heaven—never has been, never will be. But there’s nothing in me that assumes the right to any of your loving ways. It’s only because Jesus willingly endured the judgment I deserve that I’m in a position to be dealt with so mercifully and graciously.

Father, thank you that you’re leading me to humility, not to humiliation; to shelter, not to shame; to repentance, not to penance. For when I repent, I’m not the one making promises for change—you are. Only you can change me, and you are changing me, for you have covenanted to do so. That’s what the gospel is all about. When I repent I simply collapse upon Jesus, once again, as my righteousness, my holiness, and my sure hope of a new and changed heart.

So this morning, kind Father, I repent. I repent of not trusting that you are at work in my current irritating circumstances. I’ve looked at the weaknesses of others more than I’ve kept my eyes fixed on Jesus. It’s been easier (and more fun) to gossip than to pray. I’ve been moping and plotting like an orphan rather than rejoicing and trusting as a beloved son. I’ve been more preoccupied with the ways of broken men than thrilled with the occupied throne of heaven. I’ve acted as though I care more about Jesus’ church than he does. That is certifiably insane! I repent. Because the gospel is true and you are so kind, I repent. I pray in Jesus’ merciful and mighty name. Amen.

Smith, Scotty (2011-09-01). Everyday Prayers for a Transformed Life: 365 Days to Gospel-Centered Faith (Kindle Locations 6924-6938). Baker Book Group. Kindle Edition.

Have a blessed weekend! Thanks for joining me on the journey. – Bill Welte is President & CEO of America’s Keswick

Team YOU: Isaiah 37-38; Proverbs 5; Philippians 1

Motivations: God’s silence is in no way indicative of His activity or involvement in our lives. He may be silent but He is not still. Charles Stanley

Practice to Remember: Level 1: James 1:5-6; Level 2: James 1:9-18

Powered Up:  Prayer is the way the life of God is nourished. Our Lord nourished the life of God in Him by prayer; He was continually in contact with the Father. Oswald Chambers