None of us lives to himself alone and
none of us dies to himself alone.
If we live, we live to the Lord; and
if we die, we die to the Lord.
So, whether we live or die,
we belong to the Lord.
(Romans 14:7-8, NIV)

Lord, even as Your servant,
my ambitions are more ego-centered than I like to admit.
I catch myself developing a personal agenda without even realizing it.
When that agenda is fulfilled, I’m happy.
When it is not, I get discouraged.

Wash away all my personal ambitions, Lord.
In the long run, they are only satisfying
to the extent that they truly serve Your purposes.
When they don’t, they prove disappointing.
Even their fulfillment is empty and
mocks my shallowness.

And, Lord, serving my ego is such a terrible burden.

Instead, give me a growing love for Your people, and
let that be the driving force of my life.
Is there anything You desire more than to bless Your people and
to draw them to yourself?
Then let that desire compel me, Lord.
Give me Your heart as I think and dream and work.

How can I help and bless Your children?
Make that my ambition and my joy.