A Prayer For You Today

Dear friends,

Alexander the Great (356–323 BC) conquered most of the known world. He never lost a battle, yet history shows us he was already a defeated man even while it seemed like everything belonged to him. He fought for the world and won it; having all the world could give, he was still not satisfied—because the world is never enough. (Proverbs 27:20)

On one occasion after a banquet in 328 BC, he got into an argument with his close friend and general Cleitus and, in a drunken fit, murdered him with a spear—then was crushed with guilt afterward.

In time, Alexander began demanding a form of worship called “proskynesis,” expecting his followers to bow before him as if he were a god. These snapshots of his life reveal a person mastered by pride and passion, and a soul full of empty longings nothing on earth was meant to satisfy.

Who has ever really overcome the world? Only Christ. He is the One who conquered sin, death, and the grave. Because He loves us, He alone can quiet the restless human heart; no amount of power, success, or possessions will ever be able to.

A prayer for you today.

Dear Father, 

Please give us an uninterrupted love and reverence for You, for You never fail to help and carefully watch over those whom You have set upon the sure foundation of Your loving-kindness; 

Grant us by the wisdom of the Spirit to have a right judgment in all things, and always to rejoice in the comfort of Christ. Open the eyes of our hearts that we may see Him in all His redeeming work; and in all we call life—fully satisfied in Him.

Through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. 

Amen.

Taken and slightly abridged from the prayers of Scot McKnight

With all my love in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Pastor Joe