“The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives…” Gal. 5:22-23
Heavenly Father, I’d love a “bumper crop” of each, but I’ll settle for a grocery cart filled afresh with “Holy Spirit produce”—an ample supply of each of these 9 fruits of your Spirit.
Love – Dazzle me, yet again, with the multidimensional love of Jesus (Eph.3:18-20). For as I’m alive to Jesus’ love for me, loving others is a joy, not a burden.
Joy – Speaking of joy, give me a core of joy, Father—your joy. Your joy is our strength—the strength I crave more than muscles, flexible joints, and the ability to land a 700 lb. tuna.
Peace – May your peace sabotage my worries and fears, my desire for control and my ever-lingering, little-trust unbelief. You are God, and I am not—Hallelujah!
Patience – Abba, my hurried spirit, “grace-lite body language,” and lack of spontaneity often keep me from being present and enjoying the moment. Forgive and free me.
Kindness – May my Spirit-mantra be—“Kindness Over Rightness.” Nothing can justify my being curt, rude, snarky, or “edgy.”
Goodness – I know my good works earn me zilch, zippo, nada. But Jesus living in and through me is a goodness that’s a mercy magnet, grace conduit, and balm for many.
Faithfulness –Great is your faithfulness, Abba—that’s not just a great hymn; it’s who you are. Make me more like you. You never over promise and you always follow through.
Gentleness – Please gentle me with Jesus’ gentleness. Grow, nurture, and flourish a non-anxious, welcoming, quick-to-listen and slow-to-anger spirit within me.
Self-control. – Whether it’s with my eating or spending, exercising or spiritual disciplines—Father, empower me with the freedom of self-control and taking responsibility for myself.
Father, from bud, to bloom, to bouquet, to garden… grow a whole lot of Spirit fruit in and through me. For your glory, others’ blessing, and So Very Amen.