Praying for Ourselves

 “How do I pray and care about myself as I do others?” I asked myself one day.  Praying for myself by name was not something I did.  I searched the scriptures for God’s word on this.  I found three principles that I could use.
           
First, I need to accept the fact that God loves me and provided a sacrifice for me.  Jesus’ death enables God to look at me sinless and blameless.  He sees my soul as redeemed (See Ephesians 1:7, NIV).
           
Second, knowing that I am bought by His blood, I can then rightfully approach my Heavenly Father and say my name aloud to Him.  I began to do that.  It wasn’t that I had not been praying for myself.  But I was not lifting myself up by name, in consideration of my uniqueness.  This took patience and practice for me.  Satan does not want me to concentrate on my spiritual needs and relationship to God.  Saying my name aloud as I prayed reminded me that God knows my name.
          
  Finally, we are instructed to bring ourselves before the Lord (Jeremiah 29:12).  God wishes to communicate with us, to tell us of His love and to bless us.  The Lord’s Prayer illustrates the importance of this communication.  In praying, “Give us today our
daily bread,” we are praying for ourselves (Matthew 6:11).  We are also aligning our will with His.
           
I have found that calling myself by name helps me to concentrate on my worth before Him.  He has said that “even the very hairs of your head are all numbered” (Matthew 10:30).  I know that I am loved by Him and considered a unique creation.  I am His child, and we know that children do not hesitate to ask for what they need.  To lift up my name reminds me of this worth.  With this great truth, I see myself as His masterpiece of love and yield myself to His will for my life.