Fruit of Denial

And He was saying to everyone, "If someone wants to come after Me, he must now deny himself and he must take his cross at once, and day by day he must consistently follow Me. For whoever would want to save his life will lose it: but whoever would lose his life because of Me will save it.
Luke 9:23-24 (The Power New Testament: Revealing Jewish Roots)

Father in Heaven, we come to you in the name of your beloved Son Jesus, and we ask you for the grace and power to do just as Jesus said, to deny ourselves, to take up our cross, and to follow you daily. Father, we pray for a revelation of what this means in our lives; in what way do we deny ourselves, Lord? Give us the grace to do this, to deny ourselves by prayer and interceding for others, for carrying their burdens, by fasting as Jesus commanded His disciples, by giving up our pursuits, our dreams and our passions and doing your perfect will above all things.

May we pick up this cross we are called to carry, Lord. May we pick up the calling that you have for our lives within your purposes and plans. May we not shrink back because of unbelief, fear, or lack of faith. May we press on toward the prize, which is you, Lord Jesus. And Abba Father, may we live consistent faith before you daily, a faith that is unshakable in every circumstance, a faith that pleases you, a faith that is radical to this world, yet normal according to you.

May we not try to save our lives, Lord. May we not remain comfortable, apathetic, lazy, satisfied, but may we give our lives away for the things that are on your heart. Forgive us Lord, for our apathy and our ungratefulness. May we be about your business, Father, until the return of our King, the Lord Jesus the Messiah. May we not faint, but continue in doing good. May we not walk in our self-righteousness or the arm of the flesh, but may we walk in the power of your Holy Spirit. May we be willing to pay the price to carry this great anointing you have given to your Bride.

May we bear the abundant fruit of denial, Lord, the denial of our flesh to the comforts and voices of this life. May we bear the reproach of the cross and the shame for your sake. May we carry one another's burdens, and may we give our lives away unto death for the sake of your Son. We know that we can only accomplish any good thing by having a right relationship with you, God, so I pray for all the ones who have been living apart from you or have been trusting in themselves, in a religion, in a creed, or in a philosophy that is not based on the sacrifice of your Son. I pray and know that you will receive them to yourself as they cry out to you in repentance and with truth. Amen.