📖 “Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” – Galatians 5, verse 24
Being in church doesn’t automatically mean you are in Christ. Outward appearances—singing, serving, or even calling yourself a Christian — are not what Jesus Christ is after. What separates the religious crowd from true disciples is this: the cross of Jesus. And the cross of Jesus Christ is not just something you wear—it’s something you carry in your spirit.
In this sobering prayer and reflection, we’re reminded of the uncomfortable but necessary truth: faith is proven not by performance, but by surrender to God.
✅ True believers crucify the flesh daily
✅ They walk the narrow road, even when it costs them comfort
✅ Their lives are marked not by religion, but by intimacy with Christ
Jesus Himself warned that many souls will stand before Him one day saying, “Lord, Lord, did we not do great works in Your name?”—and yet He will reply, “I never knew you.” (Matthew 7, verses 22–23). These words remind us that God is not impressed by outward activities; He is moved by a surrendered heart to Him.
Even when no one is watching.
Even when the road feels narrow.
Even when obedience costs everything…
The true disciple still says, “Not my will, but Yours be done.”
🙏 Join us in this heartfelt prayer, asking God to search our hearts, cleanse us from hypocrisy, and lead us to walk the narrow road that leads to life.
📖 Bible References:
Galatians 5:24
Matthew 7:22–23
Matthew 7:13–14
2 Corinthians 13:5
John 16:33
James 1:5
Respected reader, if this prayer has spoken to your heart, say ‘Amen’ in the comments as a sign of faith. Share your prayer requests—we would be honored to pray with you. May the Lord bless you and keep you always.
Respected reader,
Before we pray, let's first take a moment to listen to God's word and then we'll pray together.
Some truths are not comfortable, but they are necessary. One of those truths is this.
Being in church assembly does not automatically mean you are in Christ.
Singing songs, serving in ministries, or even calling yourself Christian does not prove that your heart truly belongs to him.
The difference between a religious crowd and a true disciple of Jesus is found in one thing, the cross of Jesus Christ.
And the cross of Jesus Christ is not something / necklace which you wear around your neck. That's just being religious, not spiritual minded.
It is something you carry in your spirit.
The Bible in Galatians 5: 24 makes it plain. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
To belong to Christ means more than outward identity.
It means your old self has been nailed to the cross. It means your desires are no longer your master. Jesus Christ is.
It means your flesh does not dictate how you live.
Every day you choose to die to yourself.
And in dying, you live for Jesus Christ.
A true believer's life is no longer about personal comfort or selfish gain.
It becomes a continual prayer of
surrender.
Not my will, but yours be done, OLord.
This is what separates those who merely speak of Jesus from those who actually walk with him. Many talks about the Bible, few do the Bible.
A true believer does not use God as a tool to get blessings or success.
Instead, they ask, "How can my remaining life serve God's will ? How can I be poured out for His kingdom?"
Their lives are marked by service. Service to the body of Christ, service to the hurting and the lost, service to the King who gave everything for them.
Yet this reality stands before us. Not everyone who appears religious actually belongs to Christ.
Jesus himself warned us of this sobering truth in Matthew 7: verses 22 to 23. Many will say to me on that day,"Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and drive out demons in your name and perform many miracles?"
Then I will tell them plainly, "I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers."
Think about that. These were not irreligious people. These were not atheists or unbelievers.
These were people who did ministry, who spoke with authority, who even performed miracles in his name. And yet Jesus says to them, "I never knew you." What a terrifying reality that outward performance can fool people, but it cannot fool God. He is not impressed by activities.
He is moved by intimacy.
This is why we must be vigilant.
Many will profess Christianity as a religion, but few will live out the word of God.
Many will wear the mask of holiness, but inside remain unchanged.
To the eye of man, they may look like they have a direct ticket to heaven, but in truth, they may be far from Christ. The heart is what God examines, not the outward appearance.
Jesus explained this reality even further in Matthew 7 13-14.
Enter through the narrow gate for wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction and many enter through it.
But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life and only a few will find it.
Notice again the contrast. The broad road is filled with the majority. Many choose it because it's easier. It's comfortable. It allows compromise.
It doesn't require crucifying the flesh.
But the narrow road is different. It cost you something.
It cost you your pride, your selfishness, your love for sin.
It requires laying down your desires and choosing obedience.
And Jesus says only a few find it.
That means it is not enough to drift with the crowd. You must intentionally choose the narrow path of disciplehip.
This leads us to a piercing question.
What path are you walking on?
Are you among the many who appear religious or are you among the few who have truly surrendered to Christ?
Because true disciplehip is not measured by what happens in public. It is proven in private.
What do you do behind closed doors when no one is watching?
How do you live your life when there is no applause, no recognition, no audience? That is the test of a true believer. When the doors close, God still sees. When no one claps, God still notices. He weighs the motives of the heart, not just the actions of the hands. And if your private life does not align with your public confession, then your faith is only a costume.
True Christianity is not about acting holy before men. It is about being holy before God.
And so here is the call. Examine yourselves.
Don't be content with outward religion.
Don't be satisfied with shallow faith.
The Bible commands us in 2 Corinthians 13:5, "Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith. ** Test yourselves.
Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you? Unless, of course, you fail the test.
Ask yourself, have I truly crucified my flesh? Have I laid down my will for God's? or am l still holding on to secret sins, selfish desires, and worldly passions?
Because if Christ truly dwells in you, his spirit will transform you from the inside out.
Your desires will change.
Your habits will shift. Your heart will long for righteousness.
True believers are not perfect, but they are repentant.
They are not flawless, but they are faithful.
They stumble, but they do not remain in sin.
They are convicted, they are corrected, and they are continually transformed by the spirit of God.
That is the evidence of a life surrendered to God.
And so l urge you, don't gamble with your soul.
Many will stand before Jesus one day expecting reward, but instead they will hear those dreadful words.
I never knew you.
Let that not be your story.
Choose today to crucify the flesh.
Choose today to walk the narrow road.
Choose today to say with all your heart, Lord, not my will but yours be done.
Because in the end, only one thing wil matter.
So live for him not just on Sundays but every day that's called Today.
Serve him not just with your lips but with your heart. Follow him not just in the light but even in the shadows.
Be counted among the few who find the narrow road that leads to life.
For the reward is worth it.
Eternal life with Christ is worth every sacrifice.
And the joy of hearing Jesus say, "Well done, good and faithful servant." That is worth more than the applause of men.
Now, let's take a moment to pray together.
Dear Lord, I come before you today asking that you would change my heart.
Take away the hardness, the selfishness, the pride, and replace it with humility, purity, and a deep hunger for you. Increase my hunger for your word. Let me desire you more than anything this world could ever offer.
Father, I ask that you cleanse me. Wash me clean so that no trace of pride may be found within me.
Remove every root of bitterness, every spark of anger, every stain of sin that tries to cling to me. Purge my heart,
Lord, and create in me a spirit that is pleasing to you. l ask you to remove every evil desire, every unhealthy passion, and every behavior that pulls me away from your will.
Replace it with a heart that delights in obedience. A heart that overflows with gratitude.
A heart that bows before you and says without hesitation, "Yes, Lord. Your will, not mine. Your way, not mine. You are the same everlasting father who promised in your Word that you would fight for me and that all I need to do is hold my peace. Thank you Lord for being my defender, my protector, my warrior.
When life becomes overwhelming, it is in your presence that I find peace. Thank you that even in the chaos of life, you are my calm.
Even in the storm, you are my anchor.
Grant me, Lord, the grace to face the battles of life without fear.
Give me the courage to stand tall before every Goliath that rises against me. Like David, help me to declare with boldness that the battle belongs to you.
I know, Lord, that you are my deliverer, my shield, my strong tower.
You will lift me up when I fall.
You will protect me when l am weak.
You will never abandon me.
I bless your holy name, Jesus, because you have already spoken victory over my life.
In John 16:33, you said, "I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart. I have overcome the world."
What a powerful truth. You have overcome the world.
And because I am in you, I too walk in victory.
I may face disappointments.
I may go through seasons of pain.
But I am already more than a conqueror through Christ who loves me.
This gives me courage.
This gives me hope.
This gives me joy even in the darkest seasons.
So l pray, Father, that you would continue to lead me every day. On my own, I am lost.
My own wisdom fails.
My own strength is limited. My own judgment is flawed.
But when you lead me, I cannot go astray.
When you direct my steps, I walk in the path of life.
When you order my ways, I know that all things, whether good or bad, will work together for my good.
Lord, grant me wisdom. Your word says in James 1:5 that if anyone lacks wisdom, they should ask of God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given.
So I ask you now, Father, fill me with your wisdom. Let my decisions glorify you. Let my actions point others to Jesus Christ.
Let my life shine as a light in this world. May everything I do be for your glory and not for my recognition. May every blessing you give me lead me to thanksgiving, not pride.
May every opportunity you provide become an altar of worship back to you. I pray that my heart will never be about me, but always about you, King Jesus.
Let my story point to your goodness.
Let my testimony exalt your faithfulness.
May your will always override mine, even when it is difficult to understand.
I surrender to you, Lord.
And so I give you glory.
I give you honour.
I give you praise.
I will rejoice in all circumstances, Lord.
I will give you thanks when the road is hard.
I will bless your name even in trials because I trust that you have a plan for my life that is good, perfect, and divine.
Lord, I hold on to the confidence of your word, which tells me to approach the throne of grace with boldness. You said that if l ask anything according to your will, I can be sure that you hear me. And if you hear me, then I know that you will answer me in your perfect time and in your perfect way.
Thank you for being faithful.
Thank you for being patient with me.
Thank you for loving me even when I fail.
Your mercy, Lord, reaches to the heavens. Mercy rewrote my life.
Your faithfulness stretches to the skies. You have been faithful in all my life.
Your kindness has no end. Your loving kindness is better than life.
Your goodness follows me all the days of my life. Only God is good.
And so today, I thank and praise you.
So I lift my heart, my soul, my mind, and my spirit to you.
I give you all of me because you gave all of yourself for me. Thank you Lord for hearing this prayer. In the mighty and precious name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.
Respected reader,
If this prayer has touched your heart, please say amen as a sign of faith. I pray that every blessing in this prayer is now upon you in the name of Jesus. And if you need a special prayer, feel free to let us know in the comments. We would be honored to pray for you. May the grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you always.
Addendum
** What does it mean that Christ is in us?
Christ in us
Answer: Many passages of Scripture communicate that Jesus Christ lives within those who trust Him for salvation (2 Corinthians 13:5). While this is an astonishing truth, it isn’t easy to grasp. Not only is Jesus Christ alive today, but through God’s Holy Spirit—called the “Spirit of Christ” in Romans 8:9—He lives and dwells within every child of God. The life of Christ in us is our hope of eternal glory. The apostle Paul called the indwelling of Christ a great mystery: “To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27).
Paul often spoke of Christ taking up residence in the hearts of those who accept Him as Lord and Savior. When he prayed for the believers in Ephesus, Paul longed for their faith to deepen so that Christ would be at home in their hearts: “I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong” (Ephesians 3:16–17, NLT).
When a person believes in Jesus, he or she is united to Christ, first in His death and then in the newness of His resurrection life. The apostle Paul said, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20). Paul explained to the church in Rome, “For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives. Since we have been united with him in his death, we will also be raised to life as he was” (Romans 6:4–5, NLT).
Our old selves—full of rebellion, sin, and unbelief—died with Christ, who paid the penalty for our sins on the cross. Through our union with Christ in His death, we are made alive by God’s Spirit to walk in the newness of life because we have been made right with God (Romans 8:10). Our lives become a vehicle to display the life of Christ: “For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body” (2 Corinthians 4:6–10; see also Galatians 1:15–16).
In our ordinary human condition of weakness, we are but jars of clay holding a priceless treasure—the life of Christ in us. The challenges we face, the persecution, trials, hardship, and suffering we endure, serve to pour out the all-surpassing power of God and reveal the life of Jesus Christ to those around us. We can rest assured that we will not be overcome in all these afflictions because we have the treasure of Jesus Christ living in us.
In 2 Corinthians 2:15, Paul likened the lives of those who share the gospel to “a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God” (NLT) and “the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing” (NIV). With Christ in us, as we spread the good news of salvation in Jesus, we diffuse His fragrance to a lost and dying world.
In 1 Corinthians 6:19, Paul states, “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own.” After we receive Jesus as Lord, He becomes our master. In the booklet My Heart Christ’s Home (InterVarsity Press, 1954), author Robert Munger imaginatively describes the Christian life as a house. When Jesus enters, He goes from room to room. In the library of our minds, Christ sorts through the garbage, cleaning out the worthless trash. In the kitchen, he deals with our unhealthy appetites and sinful desires. At the dining room table, He serves us the bread of life to satisfy our hungry souls and pours living water for us to drink and never be thirsty again. Through dark hallways and closets, Jesus uncovers all the places where sin hides. He works His way through every nook and cranny until His love, mercy, forgiveness, and grace have filled every space. This allegory presents a beautiful picture of what it means to have Christ in us.
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