Praying Scripture: Belong to Christ

 Our family...2009

Lord, you promise that if Alyssa & Kyle belong to Christ Jesus, they won't be punished. The Holy Spirit will give them life that comes from you and will set them free from sin and death. The Law of Moses cannot do this, because our selfish desires make the Law weak. But you, God, set Alyssa & Kyle free when you sent your own Son to be like us sinners and to be a sacrifice for their sin. You used Christ's body to condemn sin. You did this, so that we would do what the Law commands by obeying the Spirit instead of our own desires. Alyssa & Kyle are like most people and are ruled by their desires think only of themselves. However, everyone, including Alyssa & Kyle,  who are ruled by the Holy Spirit think about spiritual things. If Alyssa & Kyle's minds are ruled by their desires, they will die. But if their minds are ruled by the Spirit, they will have life and peace. Our desires fight against you, because they do not and cannot obey your laws. If Alyssa & Kyle follow their own desires, they cannot please you. 

I pray that Alyssa & Kyle are no longer ruled by their desires, but by your Spirit, Lord, who lives in them. People who don't have the Spirit of Christ in them don't belong to you. But I pray that Christ lives in Alyssa & Kyle.  May they be alive because you have accepted them, even though their bodies must die because of their sins. You God raised Jesus to life! Your Spirit now lives in Alyssa & Kyle, and you will raise them to life by your Spirit. 

Lord, teach Alyssa & Kyle that they must not live to satisfy their desires. If they do, they will die. But they will live, if by the help of your Spirit they say "No" to their desires. Only those people who are led by you are your children.  Your Spirit doesn't make Alyssa & Kyle slaves who are afraid of you. Instead, they become your children and call you their Father. Your Spirit makes Alyssa & Kyle sure that they are your children. Your Spirit lets them know that together with Christ they will be given what you have promised. 

Amen! 

--Romans 8:1-17