Most of us pray when we are in need, which is a good thing. The Bible says to pray at such times.
But praying only (or mostly) when we are worried, fearful, sad or stressed can be dangerous. We may soon come to see ourselves as worried, fearful, sad or stressed people. It can color our opinions of ourselves and add to the negative feedback we so often get from the world around us and from the forces that oppose us.
That is why a habit of praying daily affirmations can be so instructive and constructive. Prayers of affirmation are one way of obeying the scriptural command to focus on “whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable . . . excellent or praiseworthy” (Philippians 4:8, NIV).
The best daily prayer of affirmation is one that counters the lies you tend to believe about yourself instead of trusting what God has said about you. It may be something like this:
Lord God, my King,
please open my eyes so I may know the truth that sets me free.
I am loved by You.
I am accepted by You.
I am a new creation.
I am a child of God and an heir of Your kingdom.
I am Your masterpiece.
I am a citizen of heaven.
I am chosen of God, holy and dearly loved.
I am a child of light and not darkness.
I am part of a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a special family that belongs to God.
I share the divine nature.
I have the mind of Christ.
I am complete in Christ.
I am called to be free.
I possess the fruit of the Spirit, which is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
I am Yours and You are mine,
in Jesus’ name, amen.
(Scripture references: John 8:32, John 3:16, Romans 15:7, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Romans 8:14-17, Ephesians 2:10, Philippians 3:20, 1 Thessalonians 1:4, 1 Thessalonians 5:5, 1 Peter 2:9-10, 2 Peter 1:4, 1 Corinthians 2:16, Colossians 2:10, Galatians 5:13, Galatians 5:22-23, Song of Solomon 6:3).
When we pray these God-breathed words each day, we are sure to be transformed by the renewing of the mind (Romans 12:2). Feel free to adopt and adapt the words above. Print them and place them where you can recite them daily. Soon they will be implanted in your memory, take root in your heart and bear fruit in your life.
