DAY #6 - GIVING UP OUR PLAN Jesus called out to them, "Come, follow me." Matthew 4:19

It’s really just that simple. Jesus wants us to follow Him. There’s nothing that makes us more valuable or empowered than knowing Jesus is calling us. Isn’t it crazy, then, that we try to come up with our own plans? Let’s give those up.

Take a few moments to reflect on God’s plan for your life. Have you been running from it? How do you need to respond?

PRAY: Confess to Jesus how you’ve been running from His plan for your life and commit to following Him. Take time to go through the different things God is calling you to and pray to commit to His plan for your life!

DAY #7 - GIVING UP OUR LIVES Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me.’” Matthew 16:24

“If you cling to your life, you will lose it, and if you let your life go, you will save it.” Luke 17:33

Jesus gave His life for you. The only way to receive that gift is to let go of yours.

PRAY: Give your life to Jesus. Trust Him with it. If you’re struggling with letting go of a specific area, tell Him and ask Him to make you stronger.

WEEK 1 – GIVING UP

This week we’re going to focus on our UP relationship: Jesus. Each day we’re going to have a topic to pray about and a scripture or thought to help provoke our prayers.

There is no greater purpose of prayer than to strengthen our relationship with Jesus.

Your prayers don’t have to be perfect. You don’t have to use formal language to talk to Jesus. Simply talk to him like a friend. He’s waiting for you. Let’s go after Him.

DAY #1 - GIVING UP THANKS “Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18

There’s never a reason to not be thankful. In everything, all circumstances, this scripture tells us that we can find something to be thankful for. That’s tough, but very important for our relationship with Jesus.

Often the only thing that needs to change for us to be thankful is… our perspective.

PRAY: Tell God what you’re thankful for. Thank Him for the blessings, but ask Him to help you understand how to be thankful for the difficult things too.

DAY #2 - GIVING UP OUR PRIDE “If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves.” Galatians 6:3

There are few things that can wreck our lives like pride. Pride comes when we stop thinking Jesus is “something”, and start thinking we are “something”. Truth is: we are nothing without Jesus, and He is always the “something”.

PRAY: Ask Jesus to give you a proper perspective of yourself. Ask God to give you better understanding of how great He is and how much we need Him. Tell him that your pride has been sinful, and that you need His forgiveness from it. Ask Him to guide you into humility.

DAY #3 – GIVING UP OUR WORSHIP “And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice, the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.” Romans 12:1

Most of our lives are spend worshiping. Worship is simply a response. When we respond to Jesus, we’re worshipping Him.

Take a few moments to reflect on how you should be responding to Jesus. What has He been asking you to do? What do you need to do to respond to that?

PRAY: Respond to God’s lead and commit to follow Him.

DAY #4 - GIVING UP CONTROL “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord.” Isaiah 55:8

Jesus is smarter than us. When we try to control things in life, we’re basically telling God “You’re not as smart as me.”

PRAY: Take a few moments to tell Jesus that you’re giving up control. That means of your life and other’s too. If you’ve struggled with controlling situations or people, take some time and confess that sin to Him. Tell Him that you trust Him, and if you’re struggling with trusting Him… tell him that too. Ask Him to lead you and guide you, and commit to follow Him.

DAY #5 - GIVING UP OUR AFFECTION “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength.” Deuteronomy 6:5

The most valuable characteristic of our relationship with Jesus should be love. Love is a value-based decision, but it is expressed with affection. Too often we neglect expressing our love and rest in the decision we’ve made. God has loved you well. Let’s, in turn, love Him with all our hearts.

PRAY: Spend a few moments telling Jesus why you love Him. Be specific: use situations from your past, stories from the bible, and other practical examples.

DAY #6 - GIVING UP OUR PLAN Jesus called out to them, "Come, follow me." Matthew 4:19

It’s really just that simple. Jesus wants us to follow Him. There’s nothing that makes us more valuable or empowered than knowing Jesus is calling us. Isn’t it crazy, then, that we try to come up with our own plans? Let’s give those up.

Take a few moments to reflect on God’s plan for your life. Have you been running from it? How do you need to respond?

PRAY: Confess to Jesus how you’ve been running from His plan for your life and commit to following Him. Take time to go through the different things God is calling you to and pray to commit to His plan for your life!

DAY #7 - GIVING UP OUR LIVES Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me.’” Matthew 16:24

“If you cling to your life, you will lose it, and if you let your life go, you will save it.” Luke 17:33

Jesus gave His life for you. The only way to receive that gift is to let go of yours.

PRAY: Give your life to Jesus. Trust Him with it. If you’re struggling with letting go of a specific area, tell Him and ask Him to make you stronger.