1 Peter 2

1 Peter (Today's New International Version unless otherwise noted)

1 Peter 2

1Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind.

Jesus, help me be vigilant in this. It is so easy to fall back into old ways, especially when I am tired. I don't want to go back. Please Lord, don't let me go back. Help me move forward and root all these things completely out of my life. Show me where I still have them. I know I can be a hypocrite. Open my eyes Lord, and then help me to change.

2Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, 3now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.

Jesus, You are so good! I have tasted Your love and even been immersed deeply in it Fill me with the desire to be nearer You and to live a spiritual life. Change me oh Lord. Engulf me in Your Spirit. Make the desires of my heart to all be focused on You.

The Living Stone and a Chosen People

4As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him— 5you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

Jesus, thank you so much that I can be part of Your house, Your temple, Your world. I so do not deserve it. To be with You forever is so awesome. Praise and glory to You forever Jesus. Praise You!

6For in Scripture it says:

“See, I lay a stone in Zion,

a chosen and precious cornerstone,

and the one who trusts in him

will never be put to shame.”^a

Jesus, You are the cornerstone of my life. I know I don't always live it, but I also know that whatever I do or have that isn't built on You, isn't going to last at all. There is nothing true or lasting about it. I feel Your presence now and I know You are everything. Why, as my day goes on, do I so often forget this and not live this out? Help me Lord. Change me.

7Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe,

“The stone the builders rejected

has become the capstone,^b”^c

8and,

“A stone that causes men to stumble

and a rock that makes them fall.”^d

They stumble because they disobey the message—which is also what they were destined for.

Jesus, that could have been me. My did You choose me, why did You love me? Please Lord, choose my family too. If we stray, let us stumble over You, the rock of salvation, till we find You in our problems and trials. Do not abandon us Lord. Choose us all and bring us home.

9But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

Jesus, it is so hared to imagine me as a royal priesthood, or a holy anything. But I do know I belong to You, and if You say it, it is true. Alleluia! Holy Spirit, help me to declare Your praises. You called me from darkness. Why, I do not know. I live in Your glorious light, for You are so merciful. Change me so every word and action praises You and give You glory forever and ever!

10Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

Jesus, mercy indeed! I have sinned so much and wasted so much of what You have given me. You are so amazing and wonderful to even put up with me for a second, and yet You love me. Help me to always be kind and merciful, for You have been so Kind to me.

11Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. 12Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.

Jesus, I hear Your call to holiness. I see what You want. Help me to do as You wish. I see You want me to move to a level of purity I have never experienced before. I know You want me to be more devoted to You than ever. Why am I not? When have You let me down? Why will I not follow? Holy Spirit, inspire me and guide me and give me strength.

Submission to Rulers and Masters

13Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, 14or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and t
o commend those who do right. 15For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men.

Jesus, I am so often tempted to do evil. Not big things, but small things usually. Help me to be tempted to do good at all times. Lord, keep me pure so I do not bring You shame. I know I am in the public some. Please help me to honor You by being good, truly good, not just good for others to see. Help me bring You honor, not shame.

16Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God. 17Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king.

Jesus, help me to live in fear of You. Help me to do what is right for all people. Help me to truly love others. You know Lord I am being tempted right now to sin, and I am very close to falling. Please help me Lord. Please help me to love and not sin. Help me to fear You so I do not fall. Help me Lord, Help me.

18Slaves, submit yourselves to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh. 19For it is commendable if a man bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God.

Jesus, help me to hold up. Most of the time I deserve my sufferings, but right now, I don't deserve this. I am taken for granted and made to endure pain and anguish, for no reason. I want to sin to make the pain go away, but I haven't yet. Help me Lord, I am growing weak.

20But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. 21To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.

Jesus, please Lord, help me to accept that I am called to suffer. Help me to embrace and rejoice in my suffering, not just endure it. Help me not to just grin and bear it, but grow and learn from it. Help me to give You glory some how Lord.

22“He committed no sin,

and no deceit was found in his mouth.”^e

23When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.

Jesus, I know it is impossible for me to follow Your example on my own. You just simply trusted in the midst of Your suffering. Why do I find it so hard to do? Yet with Your help and the strength of the Holy Spirit, perhaps I could follow Your path. Keep me. I know suffering is just around the corner. Help me to remember how You handled it Lord.

24He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness;

Jesus, how could I ever thank you enough? Of course I can't. I was so doomed, so sinful, so hopeless, and You, for no reason took my sins and suffered for them. Praise You Lord! And yet after all this, I still sin. How can I be so foolish and unthankful? Jesus, please forgive me and change me so I walk with You unreservedly. Change me Lord.

by his wounds you have been healed. 25For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

Jesus, I feel like I am still going astray. I need to be so much more dedicated to You. I have messed up so much again. Surely there is no more room for another "I'm sorry" from me. I fell like it is hopeless. Yet who else can I go to? No one, You are my only hope. Strike me dead if You will, but some how Lord, change me.