Day 16 - Praying To Have Good Character

DAY 16 - PRAYING TO HAVE GOOD CHARACTER


Heavenly Father,

You are a God who is holy and righteous and good; and Your desire is that we become holy and good like You.  (1 Peter 1:16)  Help us to remember that holiness means both to be morally pure like You, as well as to be called out or separate from others.  May our lives reflect a character that is separate from this world as we seek to be a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a people belonging to You.  (1 Peter 2:9)


As we seek to be morally pure like You, help us to be rid of  all hatred, meanness, and cruelty to others.  Help us to be rid of all deceit and hypocrisy.  Help us to be rid of any envy towards others and slander of every kind.  (1 Peter 2:1)  Help us to make conscious decisions every day to not be conformed to the pattern of this world  (Romans 12:2),  but to seek higher ground that mirrors Your laws of righteousness.  


May we not be people who cheat, lie, commit adultery, steal or murder. (Deuteronomy 5:1-22 / Exodus 20:1-17)  May we not be people who are easily angered, who break promises without thought, or who seek our own good at the expense of others.  Teach us to do what is right and just, for this is more acceptable to You than sacrifice.  (Proverbs 21:3)  May we remember that he who walks righteously, and who rejects gain from extortion, and who keeps his hand from accepting bribes is the man who will dwell on the heights and whose bread will be supplied for him.  (Isaiah 33:15,16)


Grant us strength and courage as we face the many decisions to divert from Your plan of truth and righteousness.  May godly character be that by which we are known, for a good name is more desirable than great riches.  (Proverbs 22:1)  May the rewards of our good character lead to blessings for ourselves as well as for our children.  (Proverbs 20:7) And may our children be known by their actions as well, by whether their conduct is pure and right.  (Proverbs 20:11)  


Help us to make every effort to grow in our character as we add to our faith, goodness, and knowledge, and self-control, and perseverance, and godliness, and brotherly kindness and love.  For if we possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep us from being ineffective and unproductive in our knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.  (2 Peter 1:5-8)

© margaret young