Jesus, the problem I see is that I am in a world and living a life that looks like I can’t get out of. I have heard people say that life isn’t fair; and, I have pretty much accepted the “fact” that life isn’t fair. There are times when I have become so frustrated with life that I have decided to fight back. I have decided that if other people are going to cheat, steal, lie, mislead, and bully me, then I am going to START “fighting fire with fire.” In my frustration, I have decided that if I have to beat, smash, and destroy the competition, then so be it. I decided that if this is what it takes to make it to the top, then that is what I will do.

Jesus, You have absolute power and yet You haven’t been corrupted absolutely. If You want a lot of money, possessions, positions, power, prestige, popularity, pleasure, and accomplishments, You can use whatever means You want to use. You can be as evil, selfish, corrupt, abusive, and tyrannical as You choose. You are God; this is Your universe; and I am Your creation. No one can make You be kind, loving, generous, and understanding.

Jesus, in this next part, take me through the issues of eternity as well as dealing with my current situations. I am going to die; I need to see how to live my current existence in such a way that I am ready for life after death. AND, I need to see how You lived Your life and won! Show me that You can teach me Your system that is TOTALLY different from those things the world taught me.

Jesus, help me learn how to live my life with an ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE. If I live my life without an eternal perspective, I will be like a student who doesn’t properly take advantage of the school’s programs. I will spend my time in this life distracted, only interested in the present, wishing the training would get over so I can go do my thing, and will refuse to engage in training for my future. Help me know what You have prepared for my future so I can live life with an eternal perspective.

Jesus, show me that I am in school; I am in Your life-classes. You have only given me a little bit of power so I won’t be able to do too much damage, if I choose to. I am finding out what kind of person I WANT to be. I am being challenged, tested, and tempted; the decisions I make as to WHO I want to be aren’t all about how much, money, possessions, positions, power, prestige, popularity, pleasure, or accomplishments I achieve. You are watching to see what KIND of person I will decide to become; that is my life-test for time and eternity. Show me how You lived Your earthly life so I can see what You are looking for in me.

Jesus, You are developing a Kingdom; only those who qualify will be allowed in it. Just like I am being given an opportunity to decide whether or not I want You and Your Kingdom, You are deciding who You want to join You in Your Kingdom. As I go through this study, help me see and like Your attitudes and character. Show me that if I do, the born again experience will give me the POWER to receive Your attitudes and character into me and my life; that will qualify me for Your Kingdom.

Jesus, You said in Matthew 11:28 (NIV) “Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” I can’t imagine a president, dictator, or king saying this to me. You said in Matthew 20:28 (NIV) “The Son of Man (You in Your earthly body) did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give Your life as a ransom for many.” This doesn’t sound like any kind of leader, boss, or employer that I have been under their authority.

Jesus, help me listen to the difference between You and a lot of the people I have been around. You said in John 10:10 (NIV) The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. As I look back on all my experiences with people who have lots of money, possessions, positions, popularity, prestige, power, pleasure, and accomplishments, none of them came to me so that I may have life, and have it to the full.

Jesus, I like what I see in You and do want to decide to make You the King of my life. Help me understand, however, that I am going to be still living under the rules, laws, and influences of an unjust, corrupt, selfish, evil world. Help me see that You came here as God; but, You allowed Yourself to enter this world as a baby just like I did. You were able to come in the same weaknesses I have had and still solve the problems of life. While they were there, the time came for the baby (Jesus) to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped Him in cloths and placed Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn (Luke 2:6-7). Help me see that You are nothing like the kind of GOD I would imagine.

Jesus, You, my heavenly Father, and the Holy Spirit are a different type of God than I could have possibly pictured. I believe it matters to You that I have been suffering. However, I lack the wisdom and mental power to understand what it is going to take to join You in solving my earthly problems. Help me simply accept that You knew what I needed, so I will be able to see a love for me that is unlimited. But God demonstrates His own love for me in this: While I was still a sinner, Christ died for me (Rom 5:8). I don’t yet fully understand why Your death was necessary; but, I can see that You are a God that is better than I thought.