Faith & Insight: Prayer focusing on John the Baptist’s ministry replaces resolutions in ’13

Since I haven’t contributed to this column since the year began, I will start by wishing all a very happy new year!This year I told my congregation that I’m not doing New Year’s resolutions. What I decided was to do a prayer for the year. That prayer would serve as my personal theme all year long. Such a theme should help me in my overall life. It should have a dynamic application in my ministry, family life, relationships, interests and social activities.Hmmmm, now what kind of prayer could be so all-inclusive?I finally found my prayer in the ministry of John the Baptist. John had been sent by God to prepare the way for Jesus, and he did so in a wild and wonderful and dynamic way.Soon, Jesus’ ministry was fully under way. Some of John’s followers were disturbed by the fact that Jesus and His disciples were out teaching and baptizing, too. They came to John with their dilemma. He assured them that it was all God’s plan and that (and here was my prayer) “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30).One of the great accents on life in the 21st century is on self. Everyone seems out for himself or herself. Listen to our vocabulary: self-image, self-esteem, self-confidence, self-improvement, self-efficacy, self-achievement, self-awareness, self-acceptance and even self-storage.I often struggle with the truth that life is not about me. Yet, self is generally at the root of my problems.So, this year my prayer has become, “Lord, may You increase in my life, and may I decrease, and may You be glorified!”Churches in Carson City have open doors for all who seek Him.•Faith and Insight by Bruce Henderson, Airport Road Church of Christ, Carson City.