Before we pray, let's first take a moment to listen to God's word and then we'll pray together. When Jesus was just a young boy here on earth, something truly remarkable happened. One day, Mary and Joseph found him in the temple.
But he wasn't just wandering around or quietly sitting by himself. No, he was sitting among the teachers, those who had devoted their lives to studying the scriptures, those who were seen as the wise and knowledgeable of that time. There Jesus was only 12 years old, not just listening attentively, but asking thoughtful questions, engaging in deep conversations, and offering answers that left even the teachers amazed.
The Bible tells us in Luke 2, it says, "When they saw him, they were astonished. And his mother said to him, "Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.
" And he said to them, "Why were you searching for me? Didn't you know I had to be about my father's business? " That last line is breathtaking.
I must be about my father's business. Even as a child, Jesus was not distracted. He was not pulled by the lesser priorities that so easily pull at our own hearts.
His focus was sharp. His mission was clear. He wasn't wasting his youth.
He wasn't waiting for a more convenient time to obey. From the earliest days, his heart beat with the purposes of heaven. Dear friend, as we hear those words, we must ask ourselves a sobering question.
Can the same be said about you and me today? Is our life centered on the business of our heavenly father? Are we walking through our days with our hearts aligned to his purpose?
Or have we let the distractions and worries of the world pull us away? Jesus lived with intentionality from the very beginning. And he calls you and me to do the same.
He gave us a clear mission in Mark 16:15. He said, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. " And again in Acts 10:42, the scripture reminds us, he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that it is he who was appointed by God to be the judge of the living and the dead.
No matter your job, your background, your age, or your story, if you belong to Christ, you have been given a heavenly assignment. You are called to live for him. You are called to make his business your business.
But what is the father's business? It's not the endless chase after wealth or fame. It's not the desperate climb for status or applause.
God's business is about people. It's about seeking first his kingdom and his righteousness. It's about loving the lost, serving the broken, forgiving the unforgivable, shining light in dark places, and carrying hope where despair tries to rain.
It's about living with a heart so aligned to God that wherever you go, his love flows out through you. Matthew 5:9 reminds us, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. The Father's business is the business of peace, the business of mercy, the business of truth, the business of reconciliation, the business of bringing heaven's touch to earth's brokenness.
But here's something important to remember. The enemy of your soul will do everything he can to distract you. He won't necessarily tempt you with evil things right away.
Sometimes he simply offers you busy things, good-looking distractions, urgent but meaningless pursuits, noise that keeps you occupied but spiritually empty. The enemy doesn't care if you're busy as long as you're busy with the wrong things. He'll fill your calendar but starve your soul if you let him.
That's why you and I must be intentional daily, hourly, moment by moment to set our hearts firmly on the father's business. We must wake up each morning and say with conviction, "Today I must be about my father's business. " When you're at work, when you're at home, when you're talking with your neighbor, when you're scrolling through your phone, ask yourself, "Is this helping me do my father's business?
" When discouragement whispers that you're not making a difference, remember, obedience is never wasted. Every small act of faithfulness echoes in eternity. So today dear friend take courage.
You are not aimless. You are not wandering. You have a purpose bigger than yourself.
Your life matters because you are about the father's business. And one day when you stand before the Lord, you will hear the most beautiful words, "Well done, good and faithful servant. " And oh what a day of joy that will be.
Now let's take a moment to pray together. Dear Lord Jesus, I lift your name high today with all that I am. You are wonderful beyond description.
You are mighty, holy, yet so merciful. You are worthy of all my praise, all my affection, all my devotion. There is no one like you, Lord.
Thank you, Lord, for choosing me, calling me, and giving my life meaning far beyond what this world could ever offer. Thank you for giving me a purpose and a divine calling here on this earth. You have not placed me here by accident, Lord.
You formed me with intention. You breathed life into me for such a time as this. I am not here merely to exist.
I am here to reflect your heart, to carry your light, to reveal your love to a world desperately searching for hope. Father, you have called me to be the light of the world, just as you said. You have called me to be the salt of the earth.
To bring healing where there is brokenness. To bring flavor where life has grown dull and hopeless. To preserve what is good and holy in a world that easily forgets.
What a sacred, beautiful calling. Just like you said in Matthew 5:16, "Let your light shine before others that they may see your good deeds and glorify your father in heaven. Let my life, Lord, shine so brightly that others don't see me, they see you.
Let the kindness I show point to your kindness. Let the patience I practice reflect your endless patience. Let the mercy I extend remind others of the mercy you poured out for me.
Help me, Jesus, to love others deeply and sincerely. Help me to forgive quickly without keeping score, without holding on to grudges, just as you have forgiven me completely and freely. Help me to serve faithfully even in the unseen places when no applause is heard.
when no recognition is given. Let my service be a secret song of love to you, hidden from the eyes of the world, but precious in your sight. Fill my heart, Lord, with your grace.
Let it overflow so fully that every person I meet encounters a glimpse of your goodness through me. Teach me to show kindness when impatience tempts me. Teach me to show mercy when judgment rises up.
Teach me to choose compassion even when it costs me something. Lord, I want my heart to burn with a holy passion for you. I don't want a lukewarm spirit.
I don't want a casual faith. I want to hunger and thirst for righteousness just as you promised in your word. I want to wake up every day yearning to know you more, longing to do your will above my own.
Please, Lord, take away any selfish desires that still cling to my heart, any pride, any ambition, any hidden sin that tries to pull me away from you. I don't want to chase after my own plans anymore. I lay down every dream, every desire, every plan at your feet.
I want to live for your purposes, your glory, and your kingdom. Father, you alone set the agenda for my life. You alone hold the map.
You are the shepherd. I am the sheep. Lead me, guide me, direct me, order my steps according to your perfect and loving will.
When the enemy tries to distract me with fear, busyiness, or discouragement, Lord, be my strength. When the world tries to lure me away with its glittering promises, help me to remember that you are the only treasure worth chasing. Help me to keep my eyes firmly fixed on you, the author and perfector of my faith.
Your word tells me in Matthew 28, "Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always to the very end of the age. Thank you for this precious commission, Lord.
Thank you for trusting me to carry your message. And thank you for the promise that I am never alone. Even when I feel tired, when my strength is spent, when loneliness creeps in, you are still with me.
You are closer than my breath. You never leave. You never forsake.
Holy Spirit, be my teacher. Be my reminder. Teach me to be faithful in the small things, knowing that in your kingdom no act of love is ever wasted.
Teach me to serve not for applause or recognition, but out of pure love for you, my savior, my king. Let every gift you have given me, every talent, every ability be used only for your glory. Not for building my own name, but for lifting high the name of Jesus.
Let my life be like an arrow pointing always and only to you. Today, Lord, I give you my whole heart without reservation, without conditions. I surrender every room of my life into your loving hands, my time, my energy, my relationships, my future, my dreams.
You are my king. You are my treasure. You are my everything.
And every day, let this truth speak in my heart. I must be about my father's business, no matter the cost. No matter the challenge, no matter how small or great the task may seem, help me to say yes to you again and again with joy, with courage, and with unwavering trust.
Thank you, Lord Jesus, for hearing my prayer. Thank you for loving me beyond anything I could ever deserve. Thank you for your endless mercy that lifts me when I fall and carries me forward in hope.
I bless your holy and beautiful name forever and always. In the mighty name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.
If this prayer has touched your heart, please type amen as a sign of faith. I pray that every blessing in this prayer is now upon you in the name of Jesus. And if you need a special prayer, feel free to let us know in the comments.
We would be honored to pray for you. May the grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you always.
