Our Identity in Christ

Greetings prayer partner!

I can hardly believe summer is already coming to a close for so many students, educators and parents! Some are already back on campus and have started the new school year. Gone are the days of just going to school from after Labor Day to Memorial Day, and so we take time every August to come together and pray for the very influential sphere of Education.

Heading back to school can be stressful with all of the unknowns ahead, but whether you are a student or educator heading back to class or even a parent dropping your child off at kindergarten or college, it can be extremely powerful to know your identity is sure and secure in Jesus.

Identity is a topic we hear a lot about these days and the children in your life may be introduced to identity topics you don’t want them to hear about and certainly don’t want them persuaded or pressured into believing or adopting, these include name-calling, labeling, bullying, and other misuse or abuse that can happen when people want to be included, accepted or popular. Therefore, it is vital that you and your family know their identity and the God who created them, loves them, and is always with them, as they head back to campus and the classroom. Here are just a few truths from Scripture for you to pray and share throughout the year to encourage and strengthen yourself, family and friends including students and educators in your life.

I am a child of the One True God, Creator of the universe, the King of Kings. I live by faith and I am dearly loved. I am designed and defined as God’s masterpiece, His workmanship, fearfully and wonderfully designed and born with eternal, heavenly purpose and I will do good deeds that God has already prepared for me to accomplish for His glory.

I was made in the image of God. He knows every hair on my head and tells me not to worry about anything but instead, always trust Him. I am not defined by my mistakes or people who put me down, because I have already been seated in heaven, hidden in Christ, my name is in the Lamb’s book of Life. I am chosen, a beloved part of a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that I may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called me out of darkness into his marvelous light. Jesus said I am salt and light, and He has exchanged my sin for His righteousness flowing through me, a gift of grace so I cannot boast, but I will make the most of it because I have been assigned to love God and love people with His love.

I am committed to treating others the way I would like to be treated. I am not anxious, not fearful or timid, but awaken every day with a spirit of power, love and self-discipline, controlling my emotions and responding in prayer and faith, equipped in the character of Christ and the Fruit of the Spirit. Trusting God I am filled and overflowing with love, joy, peace patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control. My body is a temple filled with the Holy Spirit living in me and through me. I walk in truth and tell the truth.

I ask for forgiveness and give forgiveness, I do not hold grudges, and I am careful to think about what I say to people knowing my words reveal what is in my heart. God is always with me, He never leaves me, not even for a second. I can always ask Him for help, for wisdom, for direction and protection. He loves me with more love than I can understand but as I read the Bible and learn about Him He teaches me more about Himself and His love. When I sin, when I do something I know I should not do, when I am not honest or kind, I must ask God to forgive me right away and apologize to anyone I hurt so everything can be made right and hearts can be healed. I am not perfect but in God’s hands I am being perfected, established, strengthened, completed.

I know sometimes bad things happen, hurtful and hard days will happen as long as I live but that does not mean God does not love me. We live in an imperfect world, and the devil is always trying to get in the way of my good day, but when I praise and thank God and the devil will run away. When the devil tempts me to do bad things, I won’t listen and just tell him to go away because I know who I REALLY am, I am a deeply loved child of God!

Prayer partner, will you join me in prayer?

Everlasting Father, thank You for giving us the ability to learn and grow and for creating us to love You and one another. Help us to know You more and to grow in our faithfulness through Your righteousness every day. Press these words of Truth on my heart and the hearts of those I love to live according to the identity You have given us, the abundant life You gave to us through Your Son and our Savior Jesus Christ. My courage and confidence is in You and from You. Thank You! In the mighty name of Jesus we pray, Amen!

Serving Him with gladness,

Kathy Branzell

President