After You

“Let the songs I sing bring joy to You,
let the words I speak confess my love.
Let the notes I choose be Your favorite tune,
Father, let my heart be after You.” - NEEDTOBREATHE

Jesus, no matter what I’m doing, may it always glorify and honor You. So often I get caught up in this world of distraction, but I want every moment of my life to be spent with You. The responsibility and activity of each day is an incredible opportunity for worship that I all too often miss. Be on my mind always.

Lord, there are days when I slow down enough to spend some time creating, just like You created us. I want to bring You a gift that is beautiful and that will make You smile, but some days, it feels as if all I can offer isn’t good enough. Remind me in those moments that You delight in any gift that I bring to You, and that You’ll honor the time I spent making it. Though You are worthy of so much more, You count as perfect the broken worship I bring before You.

“May the words of my mouth

and the meditation of my heart

be acceptable to You,

Lord, my rock and my Redeemer.” - Psalm 19:14 HCSB

Jesus, You call us to not just glorify You in Spirit, but in every aspect of our lives. You told the Pharisees that the greatest command was to “…love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength,” (Mark 12:30 HCSB). Jesus, help me not to just glorify You in Spirit, but also with my emotions, intellect, and physical ability. Shape every part of my life to reflect Your own; not just the times I set aside for intentional time with You.

Teach me daily what it means to live it like You did. You’ve inspired me with 1 John 2:6, now, sanctify me daily as I pursue You. Help me to live in a relationship with You, and not just for You, because obedience is only one aspect of our many-faceted relationship. Make my heart one of flesh, and inspire love and obedience in it for You, because it often strays.

Thank You for Your faithfulness and commitment to me thus far, even though I never deserve it. Your graciousness and love is without end. Day and night, the four living creatures cry, “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come!” (Revelation 4:8 ESV). May that be my heart’s cry every day.

Father, let my heart be after You.