1 Peter 2:4-11 ESV As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, (5) you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. (6) For it stands in Scripture: “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.” (7) So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe, “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,” (8) and “A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense.” They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do. (9) But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. (10) Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. (11) Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.
Prayer,
My Father, You are most gracious and wonderful. You called us to yourself to the praise of your glorious grace. Today I come to Jesus as a living stone, a solid foundation. Though he was rejected by men Father, in your sight He is chosen & precious. Your love for Him is so beautiful, thank you for including me in the elect and granting me repentance so that I could begin to see all the glories of your son Jesus Christ. May the things I do this day be built upon the finished work of the cornerstone Jesus Christ. I need your strength, I need your grace so that my sinful heart will not lead me away from the beauties of Christ. May the life I live today proclaim the excellencies of your glorious grace & sanctifying power. You called me out of darkness into you marvelous light. Cause me to walk this day in that light. Let me see the way I go. May I be sober and vigilant and stand against the work of the devil. Jesus you came to destroy the works of the devil, destroy them in me. Lord, there was a time when I was not one of your people, once I was without you and without hope in this world, but because of you magnificent grace and mercy I am now a child of God! You are so good!
I realize by your word that I am in a war. A war against the passions of my flesh. Let me not let down my guard but stand fast in the strength that you give. Help me to keep this wartime mentality and not be entangled in the affairs of this life. I all to well know the weakness of my flesh. I have succumbed to its siren call too many times. Lord I once again identify myself with the death, burial, & resurrection of Jesus Christ. I consider myself dead indeed to sin but alive to you. Since you have made this blessed way that I can come to you as one that is now by the spirit made alive to you, let me walk in a way that is pleasing to you. As a pilgrim and a stranger in a foreign land let me set my affection on you and you glory. Glorify your name in me this day.
