A heart condition is serious business. It demands attention and requires certain actions, choices, and proactive steps to ensure health. Everything the individual does must be in line with supporting their heart health. If their heart fails, the rest of their body will fail as well.

It is a powerful representation of our spiritual life. If we know and acknowledge Jesus as our Savior, our hearts are aligned with Him. In light of that, our choices, actions, and what we consume will reflect our alignment with Jesus- all in support of a healthy life in Christ. It is what we live for and what controls us, or it should be.

If we’re acting, saying, and consuming things that do not reflect and support a godly life, then we’re choosing to damage our spiritual heart and mind and live in conflict with the One we claim is our Lord. It brings into question then, is He truly our Lord? If what we’re choosing is contrary to holiness, then are we truly committed to Christ? You see, if you only claim Jesus as Savior, but not as Lord, you’re still living for yourself, and that’s idolatry.

“Not every one who says to me, Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven; but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 7:21

If someone was drowning and a brave soul jumped in to rescue them, pull them from the water, and ensure they were safe on dry ground, that person would have a savior. But if the drowning man chose to spend the remainder of his life demonstrating gratitude to the one who saved them, it would be a life lived differently; a life that reflects a change in values and devotion, a life spent honoring the one who spared him. When you choose a Lord, you serve that One with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. Your life reflects your devotion to Him.

The evidence of true repentance and salvation is more than just a verbal acknowledgement of Jesus as Savior. It is a daily choice to take up your cross and follow Him.

“Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” Matthew 16:24. What does that mean, ‘take up your cross’? Taking up your cross means being willing to suffer for Jesus, to deny yourself and choose to do His will. Perhaps it’s sacrificially meeting the needs of the least of these, those who are hungry, homeless, strangers, and orphans. Maybe it means you choose service over success, or suffering over comfort. Taking up your cross means willingly defending the faith, even with your life, because Jesus is your Lord and there is nothing better or more valuable to live for. It is a refocusing on the eternal, not the temporal, and an embracing of the promise of spiritual inheritance in God’s kingdom versus material gain and comfort in this life.

As parents, it’s important that we pray for our sons and daughters ‘heart condition’. Where do they stand with the Lord? They know about Jesus, we’ve taught them much, but do they live for Him? They know the words to say, perhaps they acknowledge Him as their Savior, but is He their Lord? Oh, that we could know each of our children serve Jesus with their whole heart, their whole life!

There is nothing more valuable that we can share with our sons and daughters than a strong faith in Christ. Nothing else matters. One day we will all stand before the Lord and give account for our life, our worship, and our devotion. Will He say “Well done, good and faithful servant1” or “Depart from Me, I never knew you.”?

“Heavenly Father, I come before You today and pray that (name) would surrender their whole heart and life to You. Let them be a faithful follower of Jesus, not just in words, but in actions and heart. I pray, Holy Spirit, that You would stir in them a desire to follow after Jesus sincerely and with a deep conviction that regardless of what happens in this life, they are rooted and grounded in Christ, knowing that their life is hidden with Christ in God. Help them to understand that being ‘in’ Christ encompasses so much- the Greek tells us that ‘in’ it is at all times, in every place, it is their state of being, what works in them and where they find rest (1). Lord, I lift (name)’s heart to You. Give them a healthy spiritual heart that beats always and only for You. Don’t let them be distracted by things that would separate them from You or weaken their spiritual commitment. I pray that they would spend time in Your Word daily, in prayer with You, in deep worship and praise of You so that their heart and mind would be transformed by the power of Your Word. I pray these things in Jesus’ name, amen.”

Pray without ceasing.

Are you praying for a prodigal? Oh the heartache and heaviness of battling in prayer for one who needs to return to Jesus! Yet, you’re praying to the One who made their heart and knows it completely. 40 Days of Prayer for the Prodigal is a great Bible-based resource to guide your prayer journey and bring you closer to the Lord with each passing day. Get your copy today and transform your prayer life in significant ways!

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A Matter of the Heart