He was a remarkable person. Author of 150 books, Toyohiko Kagawa was a teacher, a poet, a philosopher, a scientist, and an evangelist. He wrote on various subjects ranging from scientific studies to theological issues.

During World War II, he was imprisoned for his pacifistic views. But he never ceased to love and serve God. Often he repeated these three prayers: “Father, forgive.” “God, let me live to serve.” “O God, make me like Christ.” Those brief petitions reveal the spiritual dynamics of a truly Christian lifestyle.

That third prayer cannot be realized unless we take seriously the other two. Jesus said that He “did not come to be served, but to serve” (Mt. 20:28). And having taught His disciples to forgive (Mt. 18:21-22), He became the supreme example of His own teaching when on the cross He prayed for His executioners, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do” (Lk. 23:34).

Only to the extent that we serve and forgive can we become like Jesus. And that will require God’s enabling grace. How He longs to hear us pray, “Father, forgive,” “God, let me live to serve,” and “O God, make me like Christ.” These are essential to a Christian lifestyle.