Jesus, Forgive Me for Loving the World Too Much | Morning Prayer

Before we pray, let's first take a moment to listen to God's word and then we'll pray together. Have you ever felt like you're stuck somewhere in the middle when it comes to your faith in Jesus? You believe in him.

You pray sometimes. You go to church. You want to do what's right.

But if you're honest, there are parts of your heart that still feel pulled in other directions. Maybe it's your dreams, your habits, your desire to please people, or simply the pressure of life that makes you hesitate to give him everything. That space, that middle ground can feel familiar, even comfortable.

But when it comes to following Jesus, there's no such thing as halfway. You can't have one foot in the world and one foot in the kingdom. You can't hold on to Jesus with one hand and cling to your old ways with the other.

Jesus doesn't just want part of your heart. He wants all of you. Not because he's controlling, but because he knows that true peace, true joy, and true freedom only come when you fully surrender.

James 4:8 says it clearly. Drw near to God and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

God doesn't ignore the struggle. He knows that we wrestle with double-mindedness, with the back and forth between our spirit and our flesh. But he also calls us to rise above that tug of war.

He's saying, "Come closer. Let go of your divided heart. Let me be your one and only.

Because the truth is a heart split between Jesus and the world is not at peace. You can't serve two masters and still be whole. Jesus said this plainly in Matthew 6 24.

No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. And though he mentioned money, the principle applies to everything.

You can't serve Jesus and also serve your addiction. You can't serve Jesus and also serve your pride. You can't serve Jesus and also serve your need for control.

Eventually, one will have to win. And Jesus, he's not asking for surface level loyalty. He's not interested in half-hearted or spiritual performance.

He's after your devotion, your affection, your full surrender. In Revelation 3:es 15 to 16, he speaks to a church that tried to live in the middle. I know your deeds that you are neither cold nor hot.

I wish you were either one or the other, but because you are lukewarm, I'm about to spit you out of my mouth. Those words sound harsh, but they come from a loving savior who would rather you be cold and honest than pretend to be warm when your heart is distant. He's not interested in appearances.

He desires intimacy. He doesn't want fake worship or empty words. He wants a living, breathing relationship with you.

Every day you make choices. choices about your time, your focus, your loyalty. Whom are you serving with your energy?

What are you chasing with your heart? What are you holding on to that Jesus is asking you to surrender? 1 John 2:15 says, "Do not love the world or anything in the world.

If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. " That's not a call to abandon your life. It's not saying you can't enjoy your job, your relationships, or the good things around you.

It's saying don't let anything become more important to you than Jesus. Don't let anything pull your heart away from the one who gave his life to save it. Because at the end of the day, something will sit on the throne of your heart.

And it cannot be both Jesus and the world. So ask yourself honestly, would I walk away from something if Jesus asked me to? Would I change the way I speak, live, or think if I knew it would bring me closer to him?

Do I love Jesus more than my comfort, more than my convenience, more than the opinions of others? These are hard questions, but they're the kind that lead to freedom. Because what Jesus offers isn't a boring or burdensome life.

He offers a life of clarity, of purpose, of deep, satisfying peace. He calls you out of lukewarm living and into a vibrant, all-in relationship with him. He's not asking you to be perfect.

He's asking you to be willing. He's not looking for polished performances. He's looking for surrendered hearts.

And even if you've spent years trying to live in the middle, it's never too late to come back. Jesus is always inviting you to go deeper. He's always reaching out to you to restore you.

He's saying, "I want all of you. Come follow me. " So what do we do?

We stop pretending. We stop balancing two worlds. We stop making excuses.

And we start seeking him with all our hearts. We open our hands and say, "Lord, take it all. My plans, my dreams, my fears, my sin.

I don't want to live split in two. I want to be fully yours. No more halfway.

No more lukewarm. Let today be the day you go allin. Now, let's take a moment to pray together.

Dear Father in heaven, you know the parts of me that no one else sees, and yet you love me just the same. You've watched over me in every season and even in my most unfaithful moments. You have remained faithful.

You've been patient with me more than I deserve. You've never stopped pursuing me even when I wandered far from you. Thank you, Lord, for never turning away from me.

Thank you for being the same yesterday, today, and forever. Thank you, Jesus, for offering me something far more beautiful than just religion. You offer me yourself, your presence, your love, your spirit dwelling within me.

You invite me into a real relationship, a daily living walk with the King of Kings. What a gift. What a wonder.

But Lord, I confess I've been divided. I've tried to serve you with one hand while holding on to the world with the other. I've said I trust you, but at times I've lived like I trust my own strength more.

I've spoken words of faith, but entertained thoughts of fear and compromise. I've been lukewarm, neither fully in nor fully out. And I know that's not what you desire.

You didn't die on a cross so that I could live with a half-hearted love. You gave everything and you deserve everything in return. Forgive me, Lord.

Forgive me for my double-mindedness. For the times I've chosen comfort over calling, applause over obedience, and my plans over your will. Forgive me for letting the noise of this world drown out the whisper of your spirit.

Cleanse me, oh God. Purify my motives. Strip away anything that's taking up space in my heart where only you belong.

Light a holy fire within me again. A fire that burns away complacency, pride, fear, and sin. A fire that awakens my soul and stirs me to live boldly for you.

Help me to love you with all my heart, all my soul, all my mind, and all my strength, not in word alone, but in action, in devotion, in surrender. Give me courage to let go of every false master. Whether it's money, status, people's opinions, past wounds, or selfish ambition.

Whatever tries to compete for the throne of my heart, I lay it down now. I don't want anything more than I want you. And if I'm still holding on too tightly, please break my hold on it because I don't want to be ruled by anything but you.

Your word in Luke 9:62 says, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God. " Lord, I don't want to look back anymore. I don't want to long for my old ways, my old sins, or the ease of a compromised life.

I want to walk forward with my eyes fixed on you with steady hands and a committed heart. Teach me to know what is right and wrong. Not based on my feelings, not based on what culture celebrates, but based on your unchanging truth.

Give me boldness to stand for what's holy even when it's hard. Give me clarity in a world that's confused and give me compassion even when others reject truth. Let me live with both conviction and kindness.

Break every chain, Jesus. Every hidden bondage, every subtle lie, every fear that keeps me silent. Tear down every idol, no matter how small.

If it doesn't please you, I don't want it. Take my heart, my whole heart. It has always been yours.

And Lord, as I walk through the ups and downs of life, remind me to stay close to you. Keep me from growing numb to your presence. Don't let me get used to your grace.

Keep me soft, sensitive to your spirit. Keep me humble, quick to repent. Keep me hungry, never satisfied with a shallow faith.

I know this life is short. The days pass quickly, and the time to stand for you is now. One day, I will stand before you face to face.

And when that day comes, I don't want to have regrets. I want you to find me faithful. I want you to see that I gave you everything.

Not because I had to, but because I loved you that much. So today, once again, I choose you. I choose the narrow road.

I choose obedience over convenience. I choose truth over compromise. I choose surrender over self.

I choose to follow you not just when it's easy, but especially when it's hard. Take my heart, Lord. Take my past, all the pain and mistakes.

Take my future, all the hopes and dreams. Take today, this ordinary moment, and make it holy. Use my life not to make my name great, but to make yours known.

Let everything I do bring glory to you. fill me, guide me, use me, and transform me. I don't want to settle for halfway faith.

I want to live fully alive in your presence, fully devoted to your will, and fully surrendered to your love. In the mighty and precious name of Jesus, 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.