A Prayer for Confidence in Christ’s Victory - Your Daily Prayer - April 11
A Prayer for Confidence in Christ’s Victory
By Annie Yorty
Bible Reading:
“But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ. So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.” - 1 Corinthians 15:57-58 NLT
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When I survey the state of the world today, defeat creeps into my spirit, and doubt slithers through my mind. Consider some of the disturbing trends we see. Nearly one million children die by abortion annually in the United States. Over twenty percent of all pregnancies are intentionally ended. According to Open Doors, 4,476 Christians were killed in 2024, 4,744 were detained or imprisoned, and students on some college campuses in America harassed and persecuted Jews. Though we long for world peace, World Population Review announced casualties in thirty-eight countries from wars, conflicts, and terrorist activities.
The bad news hits closer to home too. Gallup reports Americans’ personal safety fears hit a thirty-year high. Relationships are increasingly polarized due to political and cultural differences. Finally, if you’re like me, you often feel helpless in overcoming the sinful desires that keep suppressing your good intentions. Does any of this feel like victory? Apostle Paul wrote about the same conflicts in his letters to first-century Christians. He personally suffered injustices and struggled with his own sinful nature. Yet he wrote, “But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:57 NLT).
How can we, like Paul, be confident in Christ’s victory in the face of overwhelming evidence to the contrary? As Paul said, our victory is in Christ Jesus. He is the source of our confidence. Our victory begins with His victory. Jesus defeated sin through His death on the cross and subsequent resurrection. He invaded territory claimed by Satan and became the Way for us to live in victory and freedom. Jesus also reminded His disciples—and us—that we will experience battles in this war-torn, sinful world. But He said, “Take heart, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33 NLT).
When you feel uncertain about your victory in Christ Jesus, what picture of Him surfaces in your mind? Do you think of Him as a sweet baby in a manger? Maybe the image of Jesus dying on the cross dominates your view. Sometimes, we push Him to the sidelines of our lives until we call Him in for a big play.
The Book of Revelation paints imagery of Jesus that erases all doubt about the victory over sin and death He has won for us. His eyes blaze with an all-seeing and all-knowing fire. Many crowns on His head symbolize His absolute authority. He proudly wears a robe dipped in His precious and powerful blood that secured the victory for us. From His mouth, He wields a sharp sword. Countless enemies of God from around the world assemble against Him.
Jesus gallops into this scene in Revelation on a pure-white horse and instantly conquers every enemy (Revelation 19:11-21). His victory is complete and final. Do you doubt His victory includes you? Never fear. You, dear Christian, are part of this heavenly battle. Jesus brings His saints with Him to witness the final chapter of His effortless triumph.
Friends, our confidence in Christ’s victory often falters because we define victory as coming out on top of the world in every problem. We confine victory to temporal, earthly parameters. We got a lucrative job. Our sick parent overcame cancer. We moved into our dream home. The person harassing us at work was fired.
Jesus urges us to have an eternal view of victory. The Bible says sooner or later, the world—every authority and every person—will bow to Jesus. God’s timing on this is perfect. But our victory comes every day as we choose to submit our hearts and lives to Jesus in the middle of trials.
We follow the example of Jesus’ victory when we humbly endure injustice with patience. When we shine the spotlight on His glory even as illness ravages our bodies. When we trust God and pray fervently for a wayward child. When we relinquish our own plans and embrace God’s agenda for our time and resources. And when we offer forgiveness instead of retribution for an offense. In all these acts, we display Jesus’ character despite the pain and sorrow the world hurls like boulders into our lives. That’s victory.
Let’s Pray:
Heavenly Father, when we focus on the condition of the world around us, we confess we sometimes lose confidence in the victory Your Son, Jesus Christ, won. And when we find ourselves stuck in the same sins over and over, we doubt Your strength to overcome. But today, we believe Your Word and remind ourselves that all things are possible. Thank You for Jesus’ victory over the sin in us and the sin that corrupts the world. When our confidence falters, bring to mind King Jesus riding into battle on His white horse, protecting and defending His beloved people. His victory is certain. Help us to understand the true definition of eternal victory and reject the world’s cheap substitute. Show us how to believe the truth about Jesus and live in His victory for Him every day. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/kieferpix
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