There are three simple prayers that you can use on your journey from a gift-centered to a God-centered life.  They will help you to appreciate God’s gifts and submit to His providence as you tear down the idols that lurk in your heart.

1.  “Lord, help me to receive Your gifts gratefully.”
Every good gift comes from the Lord, so as God gives you friends, a job, money, family, or any other gift that brings you comfort, blessing and joy, receive it from His hand with thanksgiving and let it be a source of praise.

2. “Lord, help me to hold Your gifts lightly.”
God’s gifts are gifts; they are not rights.  Confusing gifts with rights opens the door to bitterness and resentment.  Gifts come from God.  The Lord gives, the Lord takes away, and nothing in this life or in this world lasts forever.  So hold the gifts that He gives you lightly. The gifts will pass; the Giver remains.

3. “Lord, help me to love You more than I love Your gifts.”
You do not want to spend your life as an idolater, so aim to take down the idols not by loving God’s gifts less but by loving Christ more.  And grow in love for Christ by savoring His amazing love for you.

From Jonah: Navigating a God-Centered Life written by Pastor Colin Smith.

Image Credit: Vincent Vander Pas