(God, through scripture, repeatedly analogizes His people to a garden or plant He hopes will produce pleasing fruit. See e.g. Isaiah 5:1-2; Matthew 21:33-34; John 15:1-8 and the notes thereto. The following is a prayer inspired by those analogies and a lot of time in vegetable gardens.)
Father, conform me to Your garden plan so that I am used to the fullest, with no wasted space, to produce what You want. Your plan is perfect; help me to remember and accept that, even when I don’t understand the details.
Give me all I need to produce the crops You want and help me to use those things to the fullest, with no waste.
Help me to yield exactly the crop You want, precisely the quality and quantity You are looking for. Help me generate fruit so pleasing that You can't help but smile.
Protect me from anything that would interfere with that result; keep those things away from me, but if I must be exposed to them, cleanse and heal me from their adverse effects.
Give me patience to get through the times when You want me to develop roots, stems, or leaves instead of fruit, and through the times I must lay fallow.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
(Images about gardening or soil related themes were posted October 3c, November 21, December 8, 2004 and February 28, June 11, 13 and 24, 2005.
Images about conforming/yielding to God were posted September 12a, 18a, 18b, 18d, and 23; October 3 and 3a, November 6; and 21, December 8, 12, and 15, 2004 and January 10d, February 18, May 11, June 18 and 27; August 21 and 27; and October 3, 2005.
Images about patience/waiting on God were posted October 1, November 21, December 8, 2004 and June 11, 18, and 24, 2005.
Images about the benefits of eliminating things that distract us from God/His purposes for us were posted September 18d, October 3a and 14, November 21, December 8, 2004 and February 28 and August 3, 2005.)
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