Releasing the Need to Be Perfect - Your Nightly Prayer - August 5th

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Your Nightly Prayer

Releasing the Need to be Perfect: Your Nightly Prayer
By Sophia Bricker

TONIGHT’S SCRIPTURE

^"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me." - 2 Corinthians 12:9

SOMETHING TO PONDER

When a person is struggling with the unrealistic demands of perfectionism, he or she can find it hard to rest. Thoughts keep returning to the paper that was just completed or the important project at work. Questions swirl around in the person’s head: Was it good enough? What if I fail? Should I keep at this task even though I am obviously not the best at it? Perfectionism can leave an individual feeling caught and tangled in feelings of unworthiness and fear of failure. In this knotted-up state, nighttime – the time for peaceful sleep – turns into a warzone of the mind.

The truth that everyone struggling with perfectionism must come to terms with is that the standards that they place on themselves, or that others place on them, are unobtainable. All people fall short of God’s glory, and we all make mistakes at times (Romans 3:23). This includes believers, who are called to holiness and wholeness in the Lord. The way to overcome perfectionism is not by becoming flawless and unfailing beings, but by embracing our weaknesses. For in them, Christ’s power shines through, and He is glorified. We come to the end of ourselves to find that our Lord’s grace is sufficient. And, oh, what strength we find in Him.

Scripture tells us that God, in His goodness and wisdom, has chosen to use the weak things of the world to shame the strong (1 Corinthians 1:27). He delights in using those who are aware of their need for His help, because then Christ’s power is evident. He is the One who turned every day fishermen into emissaries of the gospel, a persecutor into an apostle, and who will raise these fragile and decaying bodies of ours in glory to serve in an everlasting kingdom (1 Corinthians 15:43).

The areas where we struggle, and yes, even fail, are the places of opportunity to lean more on our Savior. In Him, we can receive peace from the warring thoughts and rest in the assurance that we do not have to strive for flawlessness. He gives us the power we need to serve Him in our daily lives.

So, let us take a breath, close our eyes, and cut through all those tangled worries with the reminder: Christ is enough.

YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER

My Savior,
Who reigns in strength and power, teach me to find my worth in You and not in the unrealistic standards of perfectionism. Forgive me for the times I have listened to and lived by the lie that I can achieve flawlessness on my own – that somehow, I can live as a perfect being. Your Word tells me this is not so, and that only in You am I declared righteous and holy. May I acknowledge my weaknesses to You and find strength in Your grace. For in my weakness, Your power is made perfect. Engrave this truth on my heart and mind so that I can find peace from the warring thoughts and rest in You.
Amen.

THREE THINGS TO MEDITATE UPON

1. Current areas of your life that make you feel inadequate or incapable. How can viewing these areas as opportunities for Christ’s power to shine though transform your perspective?

2. A verse that can redirect your thoughts whenever you struggle with the urge to do a task “perfectly.” Consider 2 Corinthians 12:9, or others such as Psalm 73:26 or Matthew 11:28-30.

3. Someone you admire because of their faith. Do you appreciate them less when they share their struggles, failures, or requests for help? Or do you find their vulnerability and authenticity refreshing?

Sophia Bricker Sophia Bricker is a writer. Her mission is to help others grow in their relationship with Jesus through thoughtful articles, devotionals, and stories. She completed a BA and MA in Christian ministry which included extensive study of the Bible and theology, as well as an MFA in creative writing. You can read her thoughts about literature and faith at The Cross, a Pen, and a Page Substack, or visit the discipleship-based site Cultivate, where she writes with her sister.