Help Us to Pursue Righteousness

Our prayer for each other: Father, help us to pursue righteousness. (1 Timothy 6:11)

Why this verse? Because there are so many promises related to righteousness! Scripture tells us the Lord loves righteousness and those who pursue it (Psalm 33:5; Proverbs 15:9). He watches over the way of the righteous (Psalm 1:6), His eyes are on them, His ears are attentive to their cry and He hears them; He delivers them from all their troubles. (Psalm 34:15, 17) And when we seek Him and His righteousness, He meets our needs (Matthew 6:33).

It’s true that we are righteous in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:21), that our righteousness comes by faith (Romans 9:30). But it’s practical righteousness that we’re to pursue, choosing to live upright lives, setting our hearts to conform to God’s will in thought and deed. We pursue right living, as best we can in His strength (Philippians 4:13). When we fail, we confess our sin, and God in His mercy cleanses us of our unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).

Let’s pray for ourselves and our loved ones that we will pursue righteousness, for the prayer of the righteous pleases God; He hears their prayers (Proverbs 15:8, 29). Those who sow righteousness, reap a sure reward (Proverbs 11:18).

Father, help us to pursue righteousness—in Your strength and by Your grace.