Pray to lose weight. I don't know what's your reaction when you read this but I know some people are skeptical about the idea, some may even laugh or judge. I remember my mama. She said, 'no matter how hard you pray, you'll never lose the weight if you don't watch what you eat.' I know right.
When I said pray to lose weight, I don't mean that you simply pray and expect that your body fat will melt away immediately while you enjoy all the food you like. Prayer is not some sort of mantra which you say your words and WHOOSH!!! you suddenly turn into a slim and slender Miss World. Like magic? No. Prayer is an act of surrender your life fully to God. By praying you are saying to God that you need help. By praying you're admitting that you cannot escape obesity with your own willpower, you admit that you cannot do everything alone. By praying to God and giving up your weight problem and health issues to Him means you're surrendering the burden to God. When you pray to God, don’t pray to Him to make you a size 0. Even though God listens and responds to every prayer, He is not going to do that. Because He never takes away our free choice. He gives us room to grow — space to accomplish things on our own. So when you pray, ask Him for the strength and inspiration to make the right choices.
If you're not Christian but a member of another religion or tradition, or maybe you're atheist or non-religious, no problem! Ask your Creator as you know him (or her) and put whatever faith you have into gear.
I found this beautiful biblical prayer by Germaine Copeland. If you're on the same path as me struggling with overweight or obesity, this is maybe one of the best prayer to help us with weight loss and health challenges.
Victory Over Gluttony
Gracious Heavenly Father, it is written in Your Word that if I confess with my lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in my heart that You have raised Him from the dead, I shall be saved. Father, I am Your child and confess that Jesus Christ is Lord over my spirit, my soul and my body. I make Him Lord over every situation in my life. (Romans 10:9, 10) Therefore, I can do all things through Christ Jesus Who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13)
Father, I have made a quality decision to give You my appetite. I choose Jesus rather than the indulgence of my flesh. (Deuteronomy 30:19)
I command my body to get in line with Your Word. I eat only as much as is sufficient for me. I eat and am satisfied. (Proverbs 25:16)
When I sit down to eat, I consider what is before me. I am not given to the desire of dainties or deceitful foods. (Proverbs 23:1-3)
Like a boxer, I buffet my body — handle it roughly, discipline it by hardships — and subdue it. I bring my body into subjection to my spirit man — the inward man — the real me. Not all things are helpful — good for me to do, though permissible. I will not become the slave of anything or be brought under its power. (1 Corinthians 9:27 amp)
My body is for the Lord. I dedicate my body — presenting all my members and faculties — as a living sacrifice, holy and well pleasing to You, presenting them as implements of righteousness. (Romans 13:14) I am united to You, Lord, and become one spirit with You. My body is the temple, the very sanctuary of the Holy Spirit Who lives within me, Whom I have received as a gift from You, Father. (1 Corinthians 6:19)
I am not my own. I was bought for a price, made Your own. (1 Corinthians 6:20) So then, I honor You and bring glory to You in my body. Therefore, I always exercise and discipline myself, bringing under authority my carnal affections, bodily appetites and worldly desires. I endeavor in all respects to have a clean conscience, void of offense toward You, Father, and toward men. I keep myself from idols — from anything and everything that would occupy the place in my heart due to You, from any sort of substitute for You that would take first place in my life. (Romans 6:13)
I no longer spend the rest of my natural life living by my human appetites and desires, but I live for what You will! I am on my guard. I refuse to be overburdened and depressed, weighed down with the giddiness and headache and nausea of self-indulgence, drunkenness (on food), worldly worries and cares; (Luke 21:34 amp) for I have been given a spirit of power and of love and of a sound mind. I have discipline and self-control. (2 Timothy 1:7 amp)
Father, I do resist temptation in the name of Jesus. (James 4:7) I strip off and throw aside every encumbrance — unnecessary weight — and this gluttony, which so readily tries to cling to and entangle me. I run with patient endurance and steady persistence the appointed course of the race that is set before me, looking away from all distractions to Jesus, the Author and Finisher of my faith. (Hebrew 12:1-2 amp)
Christ the Messiah will be magnified and get glory and praise in this body of mine and will be boldly exalted in my person. (Philippians 1:20 amp) Thank You, Father, in Jesus’ name! Hallelujah! Amen.
Have you tried incorporate prayer into dieting and weight loss? If you have a testimony that you would like to share, drop your comments below because we would love to hear it!
No comments:
Post a Comment
You never know who you are inspiring today. Post your comment and talk about it!