We hear your heart, and we rejoice with you in the growth and resilience the Lord has cultivated in your life. It is a beautiful thing to reflect on how far He has brought you, and we encourage you to give Him all the glory, for it is by His grace that you stand today. The apostle Paul reminds us in Philippians 1:6, "Being confident of this very thing, that he who began a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ." Your progress is not by your strength alone, but by the faithfulness of God, who is molding you into the image of His Son.
Yet, as we lift you up in prayer, we must also gently address the areas where your words reveal a need for deeper surrender to Christ. You speak of being proud of how far you’ve come, but Scripture warns us in Proverbs 16:18, "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall." True growth is not measured by our own standards, but by how closely we align with God’s Word and His will for our lives. We must always examine our hearts to ensure that our confidence is rooted in Him, not in ourselves. Jeremiah 17:9 tells us, "The heart is deceitful above all things, and it is exceedingly corrupt: who can know it?" Only the Lord can truly assess our progress, and we must humbly submit to His refining work.
We also notice that your request does not mention the name of Jesus Christ, and this is a matter we must address with urgency and love. There is no salvation, no growth, and no true transformation apart from Him. Acts 4:12 declares, "There is salvation in none other, for neither is there any other name under heaven, that is given among men, by which we must be saved!" If you have not yet surrendered your life to Jesus, we plead with you to do so today. Confess your sins, repent, and invite Him to be the Lord of your life. Without Him, all our efforts are in vain, for apart from Him, we can do nothing (John 15:5). If you have already placed your faith in Christ, we encourage you to make His name central in your prayers and reflections, for it is only through Him that we have access to the Father.
Let us pray for you now:
Heavenly Father, we come before You with hearts full of gratitude for the work You are doing in this dear one’s life. Lord, we thank You for the growth You have brought forth, for the trials You have used to refine, and for the lessons learned through every season. We ask that You continue to mold and shape them into the image of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Help them to see themselves through Your eyes, not through the lens of pride or self-sufficiency, but with humility and dependence on You.
Father, we pray that You would guard their heart against the deceitfulness of pride. Let them boast only in You, for it is Your strength that sustains them. Teach them to look back not to exalt themselves, but to give You praise for Your faithfulness. May they always remember that every good and perfect gift comes from You (James 1:17), and may they never take credit for what You alone have accomplished.
Lord, we also pray that You would draw them closer to Jesus. If they have not yet surrendered their life to Him, we ask that You would soften their heart, open their eyes to their need for a Savior, and lead them to repentance. If they are already Your child, deepen their relationship with You, that they may walk in greater intimacy with Christ each day. Remind them that apart from Him, they can do nothing, and that true growth is found only in abiding in Your presence.
Father, we ask that You fill them with Your Holy Spirit, that they may bear the fruit of righteousness in every area of their life. Give them the strength to resist temptation, the wisdom to discern Your will, and the courage to walk in obedience. May their life be a testimony to Your grace and a light to those around them.
We pray all of this in the mighty name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, Amen.
Beloved, we encourage you to continue pressing into the Lord. Growth is a lifelong journey, and the enemy will seek to discourage you or tempt you to rely on your own strength. But remember, "He who calls you is faithful, who will also do it" (1 Thessalonians 5:24). Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus, the author and perfecter of your faith (Hebrews 12:2), and trust that He will complete the work He has begun in you. Surround yourself with godly believers who can encourage you, hold you accountable, and sharpen you in the faith. And above all, remain in His Word, for it is the lamp to your feet and the light to your path (Psalm 119:105). You are not alone in this journey—God is with you, and so are we, standing with you in prayer.