I Rather Have Jesus Christ

Dear King Jesus, thank you for saving me. Every time l drift, every time I fall, every time l forget who I am, you come running, you restore. You remind me that l am yours. Even when my strength fades and my body grows weak, I will not be afraid because you, Jesus, are with me. You are the strength in my weakness. You are the calm in my chaos. Even if I lose everything the world says is valuable, wealth, success, reputation, I will not lose hope because I still have you. And you are more than enough. You are the one who promised, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." And you have kept that promise. In every dark valley, in every unknown season, in every silent night, you were there. When I was too weary to lift my head, you lifted it for me. When I was surrounded by things I didn't  understand, you protected me in ways I couldn't see. You shielded me from dangers I didn't even know existed. And because of you, l can say with confidence, greater is he who is in me than he who is in the world. Yes, Lord, I need you. I need you every hour. I need you every breath. There is no part of my life that can flourish without you. Without you, l am restless. Without you, l am lost. But in you I find peace. In you I find rest. In you I find life. This world might offer fame or fortune, attention or applause, but none of it lasts. None of it satisfies. None of it follows me into eternity. So l choose you, Jesus. l'd rather have you than anything this world could give. You are more than enough. Help me, Lord, not to be deceived by what glitters. Help me not to chase shadows when the light of the world walks beside me. Teach me to build my life on what is eternal, on your word, on your presence, on your  love. Give me a heart that longs for heaven more than earth. Let my eyes be fixed on eternity where moth and rust do not destroy and where my treasure truly lies with you. Even in moments when I feel alone, remind me that I'm never truly by myself. Even when l can't feel you, I can trust that you are near. When my body is tired or sick or broken l stand on your promise. By your stripes I am healed, healed in spirit, healed in soul, healed in body, healed in every place where pain has tried to take root. Thank you for the truth of your word in Psalm 37: verses 23 and 24, "The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him. Though he may stumble, he will not fall. For the Lord upholds him with his hand." Yes, Lord, I may stumble. l may trip on fear. I may grow tired in the waiting but I will not fall because your hand is underneath me. You catch me. You lift me up. You hold me until I can stand again. So I will not live in fear, not fear of the future, not fear of failure, not fear of what this world may bring. Because I know who holds me and I know who holds tomorrow. Lord Jesus guide my every step. Be my compass when l do not know which way to go. Be my light when the road ahead is dark. Teach me to walk in your wisdom, not my own. Keep me from leaning on my understanding. Help me trust in you with all my heart. Guard my heart, Lord. Guard it from worry, from bitterness, from discouragement. Guard my thoughts. Don't let fear build a home in my mind. When anxious thoughts try to rise, fill my mind with your truth. Fill my spirit with peace that surpasses understanding. Holy Spirit, I welcome you today. Be my guide. Be my counselor. Be my  Comforter. Be the whisper in my ear that says, "This is the way. Walk in it." Speak louder than the lies. Let your voice calm every storm inside me. Help me to think on things that are true, lovely, noble and good. Help me to walk in holiness, not striving but abiding. I give you everything, 0 Lord. Not just the good parts of me but the broken parts, too. I lay them all down because l know that in your hands, nothing is wasted. You bring beauty from ashes. You make all things new. You are powerful but you are kind. You are infinite but you care about the details. You are the God of galaxies and yet you know every hair on my head. So l surrender all of me. I release control. I trust you because you are good. You are faithful and you love me far more than I will ever be able to  comprehend. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for loving me on my worst days. Thank you for standing by me when I doubted you, for forgiving me more times than I can count. For calling me yours. I worship you with everything I am. I rest in your embrace. In the mighty and precious name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.