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•A Prayer To Let Go Of The Past•By Anthony Valente👉 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.(Philippians 3:13-14)In Philippians 3:13-14, the Apostle Paul is laser-focused on the race, the goal, and the finish line of his journey of faith. Like an Olympian runner, he does not turn back to dwell on his failures. Forgetting what is behind, Paul looks forward resolutely toward the final victory lap when he will see the face of Jesus Christ. Now, remember, Paul is Saul, the man who persecuted the church violently. He played a part in the stoning of Stephen, and he could have let guilt and shame cripple him for that. But Paul forgot what was in the past. He didn't let it haunt him or trip him up in the present.Neither did Paul dwell on his sufferings, beatings, shipwrecks, and imprisonment. He forgot the disappointments and challenges of rebellious church members, false teachers, and persecutions. Instead, he trained his eyes on a vision of his Master welcoming him home to heaven saying, "Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into your reward!" (Matthew 25:21).— Going All Out for Christian MaturityAlthough Christians are called to be like Christ, we continue to make mistakes. We have not "arrived" yet. We fail. In fact, we'll never obtain complete sanctification until we stand before the Lord. But, God uses our imperfections to help us "grow up" in faith.We have a problem to deal with called "the flesh." Our flesh pulls us toward sin and away from the prize of the upward call. Our flesh keeps us painfully aware of our need to diligently press on toward the goal.For this reason, Paul exerted an all-out, single-minded effort to obtain Christian maturity. He recognized his own shortfall. Paul also called the Philippians and all future Bible readers to diligently strive with every spiritual muscle to pursue forward momentum in their Christian lives.— Fixing Our Eyes on JesusThe author of the book of Hebrews echoes Paul's words with this similar encouragement in Hebrews 12:1-2:👉 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. God alone is the source of our salvation as well as the supplier of our spiritual growth. The closer we get to completing the race, the more we realize how much further we have to go to become like Christ.But we cannot look back. If we do, we'll get burdened down under the weight of past memories of failure.— A Heavenly PrizeAny prize we might seek and obtain here on earth will not last. Only what is eternal will last forever. Paul told the believers in Corinth that he was working for "a crown that will last forever." But to win the eternal crown, we need to exercise self-dsicipline. Again, Paul uses the imagery of a runner in a race:👉 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. (1 Corinthians 9:24–27)Be encouraged by Paul's emphasis here on forgetting the past—forgetting what is behind—and straining forward to what lies ahead. Don't let yesterday's failures derail you from the goal of your upward call of God in Christ. Press on for the gold medal prize until you meet the Lord Jesus at the finish line.Let us pray.🙏 Dear Lord Jesus, I pray that You would enable me to forget the things which are past and help me to press forward, knowing that my hope and my future is in You. Help me not to dwell on past hurts and painful memories, and enable me to forget what is behind and to walk forward into each new day, holding Your hand. Lord, I release all of the painful memories I have to You, and pray that You would help me to renew my mind day by day and to focus my thoughts on the Lord Jesus Christ. Help me also to forgive all those that have caused me pain so that by Your grace, You would help me to fill my heart with new and joyful thoughts. Lord, I believe that You came to heal the broken-hearted and set the captives free. Wash away all these hurtful memories that are causing me so much heartache I pray, and replace them with the joy of my salvation, which I have received in Christ Jesus my Savior, for which I offer You thanks and praise. Lord, may the words of my mouth and all the thoughts in my mind be filtered through You, and may I build up new memories that are sweetened by the beauty of Your Person. Thank You, Lord. I trust and love You, Lord.In Jesus' Name,AMEN 🙏 Christ has freed us so that we may enjoy the benefits of freedom. Therefore, be firm [in this freedom], and don't become slaves again.(Galatians 5:1)“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.(Isaiah 43:18-19)Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.(Matthew 11:28)But Jesus told him, "Anyone who puts a hand to the plow and then looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God."(Luke 9:62)If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.(1 John 1:9)Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.(Acts 2:38)But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.(Matthew 6:15)Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.(2 Corinthians 12:8-9)Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you.(Proverbs 4:25)He will give eternal life to those who keep on doing good, seeking after the glory and honor and immortality that God offers.(Romans 2:7)My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.(Galatians 2:20)Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.(Ephesians 4:31-32)Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.(2 Corinthians 5:17-18)Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong; for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away. Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun.(Psalm 37:1-6)Cast your burden on the LORD, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.(Isaiah 55:22)(pic verse)“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”(John 16:33)Artist 👨‍🎨 I Am With You Always - David Delfeld