Heavenly Father,
You have had compassion towards us when we were so weak. You came to us; lifted us up. cleaned us up; and You have made us beautiful. The back stories of our souls are not readily apparent. But we know the grace you have given us. We can say with the Apostle Paul, we were the worst of sinners, but you have shown us grace!
Thank you for this grace. It has brought us from death to life and into the Kingdom of your Son, Jesus Christ. We delight in your communion — the communion of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Perhaps our love for You has grown cold and we are not doing the things we did at first. Oh Lord we repent of the desires that trample love for you in our lives.
We repent of the impulse to dominate others.
We repent of our incessant people-pleasing pursuit of praise.
We repent of our puffed up self-righteousness built on knowing something.
All of this makes us busy and we stop listening to the Shepherd of our Souls.
Oh how we need the wisdom of Jesus. Oh how we need you: the crucified God, Saviour of the World to forgive us and fill us with Your Spirit. Come Lord Jesus.
Our neighbours need you Lord. We lift up to you those who are being crushed under the weight of addiction — bring freedom and healing Lord.
We lift up those who live in the fearful shadow of violence and abuse — fortify them with your love and provide them with a way to safety.
We lift up those who wonder about their next meal and we pray that you would open up the storehouses of heaven locked up in the hearts of those with plenty.
We lift up neighbours who do not have a song in their heart and the joy of your salvation — please grant them new life and the hope of the Gospel. Come Lord Jesus.
We know we need you and we know you love us. So, we pray as Jesus taught us:
(Please join me in the Lord’s Prayer)
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one;
for yours is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory, forever.
Amen.
Believers respond to God when whispers in our ear and touches our heart to respond and serve those you place before us as your servants.