Prayer— It Is No Longer I Who Live
Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
We often use this verse in warfare prayer, to let the enemy know who he is trying to mess with. But, there is something else that will transform us in this verse if we see it!
“It is no longer I who live” means that, though I am here and you see me, I don’t do my own will anymore but Christ’s. I do not live for myself anymore, but I live for Christ who died for me. I gave up my will to please Him who died for me. I died to my will, that His will may live in me.
2 Corinthians 5:15 And He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.
Sometimes, people can really piss you off, and you may want to show them what you are made of. People can insult you, mistreat you or say hurtful words to you. You may want to stand up for yourself and treat them the way they deserve.
But, you need to remember it is no longer you who live. The person they think they are insulting is dead, and Christ is alive inside you. So don’t treat them the way they deserve, treat them the way Christ deserves.
Show them what Christ is made of. Be kind, be good and if you have to answer, do it in love.
As Galatians 5:22-23 reads: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.”
Let Us Pray
My Father and my God! You are a good God: long-suffering, patient, loving and kind. You sought for me and found me when I was not looking for You. You bestowed upon me your grace; a grace so sufficient that brought me unto salvation.
While I was a sinner, You showed me love. When I was your enemy, You gave up your Son for me.
Scarcely for a righteous man will anyone die; though perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But You demonstrated your love toward me, in that while I was still a sinner, Christ died for me.
Therefore, help me to live for myself no longer. It is no longer I who live but Christ who lives in me. When I want to please myself, please remind me of the One who did not please Himself, but was ridiculed and suffered death to bring reconciliation between me and You, my God.
When I want to seek revenge and treat others as badly as they have treated me, remind me that I now live my life for Christ and not for myself. Help me to love my enemies and do good to those who hate me.
Romans 12:17 Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men.
Take away my pride. Take away my ego. Let me die to my will. Let me die to my desires. Let me even die to my own name and only uphold Christ. Let my life be a sacrifice as Christ’s death was a sacrifice for me. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray, Amen.