Messengers
“Don’t say you’re too young,” the Lord answered. “If I tell you to go and speak to someone, then go! And when I tell you what to say, don’t leave out a word! ~ Jeremiah 1:7 (CEV)
One night the Lord said to Paul in a vision, “Don’t be afraid. Continue speaking. Don’t be silent. I’m with you and no one who attacks you will harm you, for I have many people in this city.” ~ Acts 18:9-10 (CEB)
Lord,
THANKS: I'm grateful for your message and that you would even consider using me as a messenger. I'm honored.
REGRETS: I get frustrated, though, because people don't take me seriously when I speak with your message. And I really feel like I want to be a successful speaker. I don't want to feel like I'm wasting my life. But that is focusing too much on me.
INTERCESSION: Help me to keep your purposes in mind. Help me to get past making everything about me.
PURPOSE: I desire to be a bold and faithful messenger of your good message.
Amen.
TRANSLATIONS
ABP = Authorized Boydston Paraphrase — my own freestyle biblical adaptation — somewhere between paraphrase, commentary, and sermon
CEB = Common English Bible (©2011, the Common English Bible)
CEV = Contemporary English Version (©1995, American Bible Society)
MSG = The Message (©1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson)
NIRV = New International Reader's Version (©1996, 1998, Biblica)
NIV = New International Version (©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011, Biblica)
NLT = New Living Translation (©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, Tyndale House Foundation)
