For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love. - Ephesians 1:4
I remember those early years in grade school when recess was a twice a day thing. The playground in grade school was an important “classroom” with many good and some hard moments. I remember those first moments of recess, when a small crowd of us boys would huddled together on the kick ball field and captains began to pick their teams. Being chosen was a BIG deal... being chosen first was an honor and a responsibility.
Being chosen means something special; it means you are special. We see it all the time in invitations to attend something or go somewhere ... it feels wonderful to be chosen. That’s what Love does, feels wonderful and impacts a heart deeply. And once chosen comes the responsibility of offering, sharing, contributing to the moment.
God did more than choose us to save us ... He chose us to be in Love with Him, to lean into what is true and enjoy, as well as engage, all that is a relationship with God, the one who chose us long before the recess bell rang. Discovering how special that makes me has been an adventure in receiving all that He has for me … all that is true.
Leaning into what is true; receiving, declaring, and stating with a gentle conviction is a beautiful and strong way to pray. It helps put first things first and allows me to at least start my day heading in the right direction.
And the best part ... it’s true. So many Christ followers ask for what they already have. For example...
“Jesus, we pray you will be with us today...”
Is Jesus with us? You bet He is. God said, “I'll never leave you or forsake you.” (Heb. 13:5). Therefore the “more true way” to pray might be...
“Jesus, thank you that you are with us today. We declare your presence over our lives and over our hearts, minds and souls. We receive your presence again this day over all that we are and all that we are becoming.”
The Kingdom works on authority and so ought the sons and daughters of God. We are chosen and we can step into that noble and glorious place in the Kingdom.
Even as [in His love] He chose us [actually picked us out for Himself as His own] in Christ before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy (consecrated and set apart for Him) and blameless in His sight, even above reproach, before Him in love. Ephesians 1:4 (AMP)
The Daily Prayer - Paragraph 3
Heavenly Father, thank you for loving me and choosing me before you made the world[3]. You are my true Father – my Creator, my Redeemer, my Sustainer and the true end of all things, including my life. I love you, I trust you, I worship you. Thank you for proving your love for me by sending your only Son, Jesus, to be my substitute and representative.[4] I open up my life anew to all of his Life and all his work, which you ordained for me.[5] Thank you for including me in Christ,[6] for forgiving me my sins, [7]for granting me his righteousness, [8]for making me complete in him.[9] Thank you for making me alive with Christ[10], raising me with him,[11] seating me with him at your right hand,[12] granting me his authority[13] and anointing me with your Holy Spirit.[14] I receive it all with thanks and give it total claim to my life.
An excerpt from The Daily Prayer Memory Verse Cards
