Teach Me What Matters
A prayer.
“Our Father in heaven, May Your name be honored as holy. May Your kingdom come. May Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”¹
Your kingdom is beautiful and glorious. Your kingdom is expanding and will eclipse everything else. Thank You that I get to be a few pixels in this big picture.
I need you God, because I am too often unaware of this as the excitement of other scenes grab my attention.
God, teach me what matters.
My life is a jumble of friends, work, activities, aspirations and plans. Scores of decisions vie for my energy. Which out-of-state weddings do I attend? What organizations should I donate to? Which weekends are for youth group and which are for family?
God, teach me what matters.
As I go to bed, and as I wake up, my mind is a filing cabinet of business items. I schedule jobs. I form parts lists. I search online for the best suppliers. I plan the best ways to make work profitable. Writing good solid bills and getting paid is what I live for.
God, teach me what matters.
I pick up my phone and check my messages. I look at the latest posts on social media. I’m disappointed when there’s nothing new or interesting. I open other apps. I browse hundreds of items that are for sale. I get excited about good deals.
God, teach me what matters.
Whenever I’m with people, I feel I must be someone. Sometimes I have nothing to say. Sometimes I can’t stop talking. I get fired up about little things, pet peeves, other people’s dumb choices. I preach a cynical rant while others patiently listen.
God, teach me what matters.
I beat myself up over past mistakes. Today is an intense competition to be perfect. Tomorrow will be the day to regret today. I wear the badge of an overachiever, but strength makes me proud and miserable.
God, teach me what matters.
You talk about Your glory. You talk about the cosmos filled with praise. You talk about an eternal purpose. You talk about redemption. You talk about neighbors. You talk about love. You talk about a kingdom.
God, teach me what matters.
Life is too big.
I am too small.
I can’t help myself.
I will climb crumbling walls.
Indefinitely.
Rescue me from my fate!
Put Your Spirit in me.
“Make your ways known to me,
Lord; teach me your paths.
Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation.”
Psalms 25:4-5 CSB
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¹ Matt. 6:9-10, CSB
About the author:
Peace is a young man who has been very involved in ministry at home and overseas for many years. Currently he resides in PA where he is committed to supporting his mom and seven younger siblings in his single-parent home. Aside from being in college working toward a degree in a medical field, you will find him working with parents and their kids in a city ministry, or restoring old buildings.