“But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,”
Memory tip: This is the turning point of the passage. Write it on a card and post it somewhere you’ll see it daily — mirror, dashboard, or lock screen.
“But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,”
“One thing I do” — not ten things, not a scattered list of good intentions, one thing. Paul had learned to simplify his focus down to a single pursuit. Today, narrow back down to Christ.
Lord, simplify my focus today. Let pursuing you be the one thing I do. Amen.
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“But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,”
Forgetting what is behind includes forgetting past failures — the sin you keep replaying, the mistake you can’t seem to put down. Paul says forget it, because Christ has already dealt with it.
Jesus, I release the failure I keep carrying. You have already dealt with it — help me forget it. Amen.
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“But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,”
Forgetting what is behind also means forgetting past successes — the accomplishment you’re still coasting on. Yesterday’s win doesn’t excuse you from today’s pursuit.
God, don’t let me coast on yesterday. I want to keep pursuing you today, fresh. Amen.
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“But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,”
“Straining” is an athlete’s word — a runner leaning forward, reaching past what’s comfortable. Where has your pursuit of God gone passive lately? Today, lean in.
Father, I don’t want to coast in my faith. Help me lean in and strain toward you today. Amen.
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“But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,”
Fasting has a way of revealing what we’re really holding onto — control, comfort, a habit we didn’t know had a grip on us. If you’ve chosen a day to fast this week, pay attention to what it reveals in you, and let it go.
Lord, show me what I’ve been holding onto. Give me the strength to let it go today. Amen.
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“But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,”
This far into the season, fatigue is normal — whether from fasting, from prayer, or just from life. Forward focus can feel hard to muster. That’s okay. Straining toward what’s ahead doesn’t require perfect energy, just a willingness to keep leaning.
God, even when I’m tired, keep me leaning toward you. Renew my strength today. Amen.
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“But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,”
Four weeks down. Say this week’s phrase and ask yourself honestly: what is behind me that I still need to release? What’s ahead that I need to strain toward?
Father, thank you for four weeks. Help me release what’s behind and lean toward what’s ahead. Amen.