Praying From Paul's LettersNäide

Walk by the Spirit

“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” (Galatians 5:16, ESV)

Prayer

Father God, fill us afresh with Your Holy Spirit. Help us to live in ways that honor You. We see how much our fleshly bodies desire things of this world. Daily we battle against our selfish desires. Greed, envy, impure thoughts, sensual or sexual desires that are not aligned with Your Word, anger, drunkenness, pride, making idols of money, jobs, status, or relationships, and all manner of things that go against Your Word. How easy it is to slip back into these sinful habits and ways of thinking.

Help us, Holy Spirit, to walk in new ways—ways that look and sound like Jesus, who was perfectly holy and perfectly loving. Dig up the soil of our hearts, pulling out roots of sin.

Plant the seeds of Your Word deep within. Add the Son-light of Christ, the refreshment of Your Spirit, and the dew of God’s heavenly love. Cause us to grow in the fruit of the Spirit. May we produce a great harvest of righteousness as a blessing to You and to the world. Cultivate in us Your love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Help us exude Christ’s beauty in this sin-burdened world. In Jesus’ name, Amen.