“From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us. ‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’” Acts 17:26-28

Lord Jesus, I like to control things. I like to orchestrate things in my life and people in my life in certain ways to achieve certain things. I like to take care of myself. I like to manage my money and my time and my plans. I like to be in control. I’m starting to realize that I even want to try to control you sometimes. It isn’t a malicious thought, Father. But, in my prayers I realize that I try to turn you and even bargain with you to get what I want. But that’s not the kind of God you are. You are not a God who is manipulated or turned by my ideas, my whims; nor do you need anything from me. Help me to realize how deeply it is that I need you. You do not need me, but I have always needed you and will continue to need you for the rest of my days. I have needed you for the simple things like life and breathe. I do not live and move by my own powers. I live and breathe and move only in you. The same is much more true of faith. I believe because you have called my name. I believe and follow you because you have taken my sins away. I am yours and have a purpose in my life because you have given that purpose to me. My life is not my own. I was bought at a price. Help me to realize that only in you do I live and move and have my being. Lord, take my life and let it be consecrated to you. Amen.

We are absolutely dependent on God and thankfully so!