Day 10: Taking Up Your Cross
Scripture
Matthew 16:24 – “Then Jesus said to His disciples, ‘Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.’”
Prayer Prompt
“Lord, You call us to follow You with hearts surrendered, taking up our cross daily. Help me to deny myself and live for You alone, embracing the challenges and sacrifices that come with discipleship. Strengthen me to lay down my own desires, comfort, and plans, trusting that Your way is better and that true life is found in following You. Give me the courage to take up my cross, knowing that in losing my life for Your sake, I will find the fullness of life in You. Thank You for Your example, and for the grace that enables me to walk in Your steps.”
Reflection
Today, reflect on what "taking up your cross" looks like in your daily life. Is there something you are holding onto—whether it's comfort, control, or personal desires—that God is calling you to surrender? Taking up your cross is often about making sacrifices for the sake of following Jesus. It could mean saying no to something that competes with your devotion to Him, stepping out of your comfort zone to serve others, or choosing obedience over convenience. Identify one area where God is calling you to die to self today, and make a conscious choice to lay it down in order to follow Him more fully. Trust that in this sacrifice, you will experience a deeper relationship with Jesus and greater fulfillment in His purpose for your life.
Application
Identify a Comfort or Desire to Lay Down:
Take a moment to pray and ask God, "Is there something in my life that I’m holding on to more tightly than You? Is there something I need to surrender today?" This could be a habit, a relationship, a routine, or an attitude that God is asking you to let go of in order to follow Him more fully.Choose a Sacrifice for the Day:
Once you've identified an area of surrender, make a clear decision to give it up or set it aside for today. For example, you might choose to give up a certain amount of time for prayer or service, say no to a personal indulgence, or choose obedience in a difficult situation.Take a Step of Action:
Choose one concrete step to live out your sacrifice. If you are letting go of an unhealthy pattern, replace it with a Godly habit (e.g., prayer, fasting, serving others). If you're laying down your comfort in a relationship, reach out to someone with an act of kindness or reconciliation.Reflect and Surrender:
At the end of the day, reflect on the action you took. Were there moments when it felt hard to stay committed? Spend time in prayer, surrendering any remaining struggles to God. Ask for strength to keep taking up your cross daily.