Deuteronomy 14:21 – For you are a people holy to the LORD your God.

Lord God, you choose me to be yours. Though I was just as your people Israel was – smaller and weaker and more stubborn than all the other nations – you chose me and made me your own. You redeemed me with the blood of your Son and brought me into your family. Through all these years, dear Father, you have carried me on your shoulders as a father carries his sons. Through all these years, dear Father, you have nurtured and nourished me as a mother nurtures her child and cares for it. Through all these years, dear Savior, you have pursued me as a lover pursues his beloved. You have not and you will not quit on me. I am precious to you. I am loved by you. I am set apart for you. As one who is set apart for you, help me to hate the evil and pursue the good. Help me to rid from my life and kill to death all the sin in my body, all the sin in my heart, and all the sin in my mind. It cannot remain or it will kill me. Lead me to repent of all this sin and hate it as you do. And then, dear Holy Spirit, help me to live a life worthy of the calling I have received. Help me to honor you and keep your name holy in all I think, say, and do. I am yours. Help me to live like it. Amen.