For preachers, Monday mornings can be dark. I can't speak for every preacher, but the devil works hard to discourage me on Mondays-reminding me of all my faults and failures and how unqualified I am to be doing what I'm doing. I need the gospel every day but sometimes I feel like I need it especially on Mondays. This is why I was so grateful to my friend Scotty Smith for posting the prayer below. Scotty's grasp of the gospel and his ongoing, day-in and day-out need of it, instructs me in the "deep places." I pray that you will own this prayer as I have.

Dear Lord Jesus,

While I still believe, with all my heart, you are the only Savior, I now see how more of my heart needs more of you and more of the gospel.

There is nobody on the face of the earth that needs the gospel today, and its transforming resources, more than me, and I am SO glad to be able to acknowledge this reality. I need you today, Jesus, as much as I did in March of 1968 when you washed away all my sins and covered me with the robe of your righteousness.

You have saved me in the past, when I was justified by grace alone through faith alone; you are saving me in the present, as the Holy Spirit applies more and more of your finished work to my whole being; and you will save me in the future, when you return to finish making all things new, including ME!

Lord Jesus, though I'm never tempted to look to any other name for my justification, I am very tempted to look to other names and means for my transformation—worse of all, is when I look to me to be my own savior. But only you, Jesus, are able to save completely those who come to God through you, for you are always living to pray for us and to advocate for us (Heb 7:25). You are my righteousness, holiness and redemption, and that's why I only boast in you today! (1 Cor. 1:30-31)

So I come to you today, Jesus, right now! Save me more fully from my fear of man, my need to be in control, my ticky-tacky pettiness. Save me from trying to be anybody's savior. I want to get irritated far less often and to be spontaneous much more often. I want to "light up" more quickly when I hear your name, Jesus, and not be downcast, when I don't hear my name.

That's more than enough confession for one day… Indeed, Jesus, I must be saved, I am being saved, through your name alone. Hallelujah!

Thank-you Scotty for pastoring me so well, brother. I thank God that he has provided you as a shepherd of my soul.