"I Choose You"

In his sermon on Jesus’s cool reception in his hometown, described in Mark 6, our preacher shared this prayer from writer David Shelton:

“Lord Jesus, I choose you.  I choose to follow You, no matter the cost.  I choose the life you have for me, the path you have set before me, and choose to live by your Spirit and your Spirit alone. I claim the completed works of Christ over my life and my family today.  Everything that You have completed was done for me so that I may follow in your footsteps to the end of my days or your glorious return to call the Church home to you. Help me live my life so that everyone, including family who may have intentionally distanced themselves, will know that my life was centered in and around you, and you alone.  May they see Your reflection in my face and all that I do.  During the hard times when my family may reject me, help my response to be the same as Christ.  Help me see my family members who persecute me through the eyes of Christ, applying his Mercy, Grace, Love, and Forgiveness.  All of this for the glory of Your name and not mine.  Hide me in You, and let your Spirit be my source for all of my days on this earth.  In your holy name I pray, amen.”