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I’ve included below a prayer of faith-dedication that I hope you’ll consider. It’s a big step. Only on the other side will you say, “I should have done this long ago.” And then you will be a pilgrim, a follower of Jesus. One time, he uttered to the crowds clamoring after him a sober saying of both guidance and judgment:
“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”
Jesus seems to be saying that the majority of people will opt for the wide gate.
Another of his sayings that speaks to me is this:
“Whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?”
The paradox here is that you find life by losing it, and you lose life by keeping it for yourself. This was a head-spinner for me decades ago. I was taught at home and at school to step up to the plate, grab life by the horns, and make something of yourself. Releasing myself to the will of God was not an option. But the saying, “Let go and let God,” rings true to the gospel and to my experience. Those who have ears to hear, let them hear.
Perhaps you’ll join me in praying the simple prayer below.
Prayer of Faith-Dedication
“Dear God, I know I haven’t followed your will for my life, and I ask your forgiveness. I believe Jesus Christ is Your Son. I believe that He died and rose from the dead to rescue all who would believe in his name. I place my trust in Christ. Please guide my life and help me to do your will. Amen.”
Next steps: Find a friend with whom you can read the Bible and pray. Reading plans are available at websites such as Biblegateway.com and apps such as YouVersion. Otherwise, a good place to start is with the Gospel of Mark.
Other suggested reading
Faith Unexpected (see below)
Letters from a Skeptic (Gregory Boyd)
Mere Christianity (C.S. Lewis)
More Than a Carpenter (2024 version, Josh McDowell and Sean McDowell)
The Case for Faith (Lee Strobel)
Books by Rick Mattson (available on Amazon)
Faith Unexpected: real stories of people who found what they never imagined
Faith is Like Skydiving
Objective Morality Without God? A friendly debate between an atheist and a Christian
True spiritual transformation begins with the willing surrender of self-reliance in favor of trusting Christ. Choosing the “narrow gate” requires letting go of self-centered pursuits to discover lasting, purposeful life through faith, prayer, and steady engagement with Scripture.
Thank you!