Then, calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?

Mark 8:34-37

Dear God, this is my prayer for others like my children when I pray for them—that they would let go of their lives and the things they think they have to protect and hold dear. Whether it’s their selfish desires, their own plans for the future, their secrets, or their sin, what they don’t know is that there is so much freedom and joy waiting for them. It won’t solve all of their problems, but it will change how they see their problems.

Of course, it’s not enough to let go and take up your cross. That’s the critical first step, but there are several more steps. The next big one is to follow you through relationship and spiritual growth. And one of the ways we do that is through embracing community with other believers. If we don’t pursue you and get into fellowship and community with other believers then it will be like the seed that is scattered on the path or the rocky soil. Either the birds will take it away or the seed will shoot up, have no roots and die fast.

Father, I pray over my own life that I would have good roots. And I confess that I cannot do it without community. If it’s just me alone then there are too many dangers. Even if I keep pursuing you, without others to check me Satan can deceive me and lead me down the wrong path. Of course, Satan can deceive groups too, and there are things about which I might be deceived of now, but I have a better shot at figuring them out in community than I do sitting here only by myself. So please help me in my pursuit of you, my giving up my own life and taking up your cross.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen