A Prayer for Growth
By Vivian Bricker
“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen” (2 Peter 3:18).
Attending a wedding many years ago, I was struck by the idea of growth in the heart of the believer. After a new friend of mine had been made fun of by other “Christians” for not coming to know the Lord until high school, I started thinking about what it meant to actually have Christian growth. My new friend had only been a Christian for a few years, yet he showed much growth in that short of time. The “Christians” who had laughed at him had claimed to be Christians since they were a few years old, yet they showed no growth in their Christian walk—as evident by their joyous fun at making fun of my friend.
As I was sitting there and listening to their hurtful comments to my friend, I started thinking of how I was a new Christian too. I did not place faith in Jesus until my first year of college. I thought, “Did this mean I was an immature Christian too? Would they make fun of me too?” My friend and I chose to move away from this crowd and started talking about what it actually meant to be a Christian.
Being a Christian does not mean you were saved by the age of two, three, or four. While there might be a select few who come to know Jesus this young, it isn’t practical for most. Children cannot understand redemption and salvation fully at such a young age. Nonetheless, my friend and I reminded ourselves that being a Christian meant placing faith in Jesus. There is not a “cut-off” date when it comes to salvation.
The believing thief on the cross was told by Jesus that on that very day, he would be with Him in Paradise (Luke 23:43). You don’t have to be a believer from the time of a young child in order to be saved. God calls people to Him at various ages and no age is superior to another. If you have placed faith in Jesus, you are a Christian. It doesn’t matter if you are ten or if you are ninety.
“So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness” (Colossians 2:6-7).
What my friend and I told each other that night, I share with you: A person can be a Christian for many years, yet have no growth in their walk with Christ. In the same way, a person who has only been a believer for a few years can show much growth in their walk with the Lord.
The growth you have in your walk with Jesus will be dependent on your obedience to Him, if you are going to Him in prayer, and if you are active in Bible reading. Throughout our lives, we will be growing in our walk with the Lord. We can continue to cultivate healthy growth by following, obeying, and loving the Lord. Growth can be painful at times, but it is worth it in order to know the Lord better.
As you continue to grow in your Christian walk, you will start seeing things more like Jesus does. This will cause you to have a more tender heart toward others as well as it will ensure you are extending Jesus’ love in your actions. In other words, you will be reflecting Jesus to the lost world. There is nothing that makes God happier than to know that His children are extending His love and grace to the world.
If you feel you are stuck in your walk with God, know that you can turn to Him anytime. Instead of trying to work out growth on your own, turn to the Lord in prayer.
Let’s pray:
Dear Lord, please help me to have Christian growth in my own life. At times, I feel as though I am not growing at all. Please help me to start growing in my walk with you today. Help me to be motivated to read the Bible, go to you in prayer, and obey You every day. I want to help others to know about You and to continue to reflect Your beautiful light to the world. Growth is hard, but I know you can help me. I trust You Lord and I thank you.
In Jesus’ Name, I pray, Amen.”
Photo credit: ©GettyImages/Sarayut
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