“Be exalted above the heavens, O God; Let Your glory be above all the earth” (Ps 57:5).
As Christians, we desire to see God glorified in our lives. We desire that others will want to follow God because of what they see in us. We want to be used of God. We do not want to live this life and come into his presence with only selfishness and pride.
Sometimes, we struggle with where to begin; by this I mean practically. The most practical thing we can do is to pray to that end. But, we often do not know what or how to pray.
Years ago, I read A.W. Tozer’s book, The Pursuit of God. At the end of each chapter he suggests a prayer to be prayed. The one at the end of chapter 8 had a profound impact upon my life. I prayed this prayer reverently and thoughtfully. I must admit, I found it to be a challenge that could only be sincerely met by trusting God. I pray God might use this in your life as well, as you pray and ponder each aspect of this prayer for your own life
“O God, be Thou exalted over my possessions. Nothing of earth’s treasures shall seem dear unto me if only Thou art glorified in my life. I am determined that Thou shalt be above all, though I must stand deserted and alone in the midst of the earth. Be Thou exalted above my comforts. Though it means the loss of bodily comforts and the carrying of heavy crosses, I shall keep my vow made this day before Thee.
Be Thou exalted over my reputation. Make me ambitious to please Thee even if as a result I must sink into obscurity and my name be forgotten as a dream. Rise, O Lord, into Thy proper place of honor, above my ambitions, above my likes and dislikes, above my family, my health and even my life itself. Let me sink that Thou mayest rise above. Ride forth upon me as Thou didst ride into Jerusalem mounted upon the humble little beast, a colt, the foal of an ass, and let me hear the children cry to Thee, ‘Hosanna in the highest.'” [1]
[1] A.W. Tozer, The Pursuit of God (Camp Hill, PA: Christian Publications, 1982) 99-100.
