My Monday Morning Need Of The Gospel
Posted October 12th, 2009 by Tullian TchividjianFor preachers, Monday mornings can be dark. I can’t speak for every preacher, but the devil works hard to discourage me on Monday’s–reminding me of all my faults and failures and how unqualified I am to be doing what I’m doing. I need the gospel every day but sometimes I feel like I need it especially on Monday’s. This is why I was so grateful to my friend Scotty Smith for posting the prayer below. Scotty’s grasp of the gospel and his ongoing, day-in and day-out need of it, instructs me in the “deep places.” I pray that you will own this prayer as I have.
Dear Lord Jesus,
While I still believe, with all my heart, you are the only Savior, I now see how more of my heart needs more of you and more of the gospel.
There is nobody on the face of the earth that needs the gospel today, and its transforming resources, more than me, and I am SO glad to be able to acknowledge this reality. I need you today, Jesus, as much as I did in March of 1968 when you washed away all my sins and covered me with the robe of your righteousness.
You have saved me in the past, when I was justified by grace alone through faith alone; you are saving me in the present, as the Holy Spirit applies more and more of your finished work to my whole being; and you will save me in the future, when you return to finish making all things new, including ME!
Lord Jesus, though I’m never tempted to look to any other name for my justification, I am very tempted to look to other names and means for my transformation—worse of all, is when I look to me to be my own savior. But only you, Jesus, are able to save completely those who come to God through you, for you are always living to pray for us and to advocate for us (Heb 7:25). You are my righteousness, holiness and redemption, and that’s why I only boast in you today! (1 Cor. 1:30-31)
So I come to you today, Jesus, right now! Save me more fully from my fear of man, my need to be in control, my ticky-tacky pettiness. Save me from trying to be anybody’s savior. I want to get irritated far less often and to be spontaneous much more often. I want to “light up” more quickly when I hear your name, Jesus, and not be downcast, when I don’t hear my name.
That’s more than enough confession for one day… Indeed, Jesus, I must be saved, I am being saved, through your name alone. Hallelujah!
Thank-you Scotty for pastoring me so well, brother. I thank God that he has provided you as a shepherd of my soul.
October 12th, 2009 at 11:31 am
Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all you who hope in the Lord. Psalm 31:24
My dear Pastor,
I know the Lord God is “growing me through the Word” as HE gives it to you… many are lfiting you in prayer daily!!! I took 3 pages of notes during yesterday’s sermon. You challenged me to 4 questions and I took the challenge and sent emails to 5 friends and family to answer the 3 areas of character I need to grow in….let the Gospel continue to work in my “over 60 soul”…. Happy Monday!
October 12th, 2009 at 12:26 pm
I like the last paragraph the the end very much, I must of read it 5x over, (the fear of man and need to be in control part….)
Why are Mondays so hard for Pastors? Is it because Sunday’s are so great? I know it sounds naive, but I am curious.
October 12th, 2009 at 3:29 pm
So thankful that God not only loves me the same each day, but accepts me each day of my life. I stand amazed in THE Presence….
October 16th, 2009 at 4:45 pm
Pastor Tullian
I am not what I ought to be….Not what I wish to be….I am not what I hope to be …Not what I once was……. ” by the grace of God I am what I am.” John Newton of Olney and St. Mary Woolnoth: an autobiogarphy and narrative, by Josiah Bull, MA(Arlisle, PA: The Banner Of Truth Trust, 1998)
You are blessed
October 17th, 2009 at 12:28 pm
Pastor Tullian
I’m praying that you will be able to put into practice the theory you preached about in your sermon on the 11th.
god bless
October 17th, 2009 at 8:38 pm
Being the wife of a pastor, I see the ‘dark Monday’ many weeks. We’ve been in the pastorate almost 25 years, and these days don’t go away. Thank you for this post and prayer, I’m going to pass it onto to my beloved husband/pastor.
October 18th, 2009 at 7:38 am
I hope you are seeking God’s wisdom and praying that last paragraph over and over again. You need that pastor. May God reveal himself fully. God bless you.
October 18th, 2009 at 2:56 pm
Thank-you Gen. I need to pray all of the paragraphs every day, not just the last one. God bless you, too.
October 19th, 2009 at 6:01 am
Pastor Tullian,
It it’s appropriate, please share an update about your father and his recovery. Thank you. There are many people praying for you, as well as all of your family. p.s. I taught Aram in second grade.
October 19th, 2009 at 6:32 am
[…] more here. « We need to know “how to hide” (God’s Word in our hearts) because we […]
October 19th, 2009 at 7:37 am
I wanted to clap out loud at several points yesterday during your sermon, but I was afraid that instead of starting a round of applause I’d be the weird lone clapper.
You said so many right-on things–difficult things, but things that need to be said. Thank you!
I hope you are having a gospel-infused, hopeful, blessed, encouraged Monday…
October 24th, 2009 at 1:05 am
I thought I was the only one. I’m not a pastor, just an old woman teaching young women in jail one night a week. Going in, I’m humbled before God, knowing that if any work is done it will not be mine but His. The hour in, I’m strong. The thoughts and words flow. Scriptures are read. The gospel is explained. The women listen well. Questions are asked. It’s a vibrant time which I believe is due to the Holy spirit working and not because of any wit of my own. Going out, and the rest of the night and sometimes the next day, I’m low. Wondering why I think I am called to do this. Kicking myself for saying this and not saying that. All kinds of kicking. I’ve come to almost welcome this “low” because it keeps me in heavy dependence upon God’s good grace. I love your friend’s prayer.
November 9th, 2009 at 5:02 am
[…] Tullian quoted this prayer a few weeks ago: Lord Jesus, though I’m never tempted to look to any other name for my justification, I am very tempted to look to other names and means for my transformation — worst of all, is when I look to me to be my own savior. But only you, Jesus, are able to save completely those who come to God through you, for you are always living to pray for us and to advocate for us (Heb 7:25). You are my righteousness, holiness and redemption, and that’s why I only boast in you today! (1 Cor. 1:30-31) […]