"Father, glorify your name!"

In John 12:23-28, "Jesus replied, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me. Now my heart is troubled, and what shall I say? 'Father, save me from this hour'? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name!" (NIV)

Wow. Think about Jesus' thoughts in this moment. As part of the Triune God, Jesus knew the moments that He would soon endure. The rejection. The abandonment. The beatings. And yet, He prays..."What shall I say? 'Father, save me from this hour'? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name!"

Today, as I reflect on Jesus' sacrifice, I can't help but bow my head and pray: "Father, forgive me for my selfishness. Forgive me for my pride. Forgive me for wanting my own way. I surrender all that I am for all that You are. Use my life as YOU see fit. I willingly lay down my life FOR YOUR PURPOSE. And, by His grace, I humbly pray, Father, glorify Your name!"

I sense the Holy Spirit calling me to a place of fresh abandonment to Him. Like Abraham, He is calling me to lay down my "Spiritual Isaac" on the altar, lovingly whispering: "Rest. Release. Remove distractions. YOU cannot accomplish my purposes...BUT I CAN...I alone am God. Return to me. Let go of the weights weighing you down. Don't be distracted by "Time lines" and "To do lists"...instead seek me and you will find strength for your soul.


In Isaiah 44:21-22, God's word says: "Remember these things, O Jacob, for you are my servant, O Israel. I have made you, you are my servant; O Israel, I will not forget you. I have swept away your offenses like a cloud, your sins like the morning mist. Return to me, for I have redeemed you." (NIV)


Matthew 11:28-30 reminds us: "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." (NIV)

Friend, God is near. He sees you. Your circumstances don't escape His notice. Today, we have the wonderful opportunity to simply pray, like JESUS prayed, "Father, glorify your name!"

In our marriage-- "Father, glorify your name!"
In our singleness-- "Father, glorify your name!"
In our parenting--  "Father, glorify your name!"
In our bareness-- "Father, glorify your name!"
In our finances or the lack thereof-- "Father, glorify your name!"
In our ministry-- "Father, glorify your name!"
In our relationships-- "Father, glorify your name!"
In our present-- "Father, glorify your name!"
In our future-- "Father, glorify your name!"
In our pain-- "Father, glorify your name!"
In our times of mourning-- "Father, glorify your name!"
In our abundance-- "Father, glorify your name!"

 What's your circumstance today? Will you boldly join with me and pray... "Father, glorify your name!"