“This is my body which is given for you.” Luke 22:16

“And so dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice – the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.” Romans 12:1

Father,

Your Son offered his body up as a sacrifice in my place. The least I can do is offer this body back to you. I’ve given you my heart; it is your home. It is no longer heavy, cynical, critical, and lacking in empathy. You are remodeling it to suit your taste for servanthood, beauty, and glory. I’ve given you my mind. You are transforming it to a place where joy grows. It used to be a place of darkness, hopelessness, and depression. How grateful I am! You are changing my will and aligning it with yours. It used to be centered on me, now it is growing in You-centeredness and other-centeredness.

And Lord, as your word directs, I offer up this body to you. Thank you that you receive living sacrifices – that I can give you my body yet stay on this planet enjoying the beauty, the relationships, and the work you have given me to do. Keep me mindful of my sacrifice all day long as I make choices – where to walk, when to sleep, what to eat, what to drink, how to rest, rhythms and schedules – all of these I give to you today. Lead me, Lord, for you are my God.

Amen