Prayer

Lord, would you birth in us integrity: wholeness of heart, single-minded sincerity, earnestness in our actions? May we live out what we proclaim, divinely groomed by you, a work of your hand. In this regard you are faithful to not let us escape; you are wonderfully relentless in your formation of us.

And so, I submit to your process; may it have its full effect and benefit. May love be the fruit, along with joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, self-control – all a work of your Spirit.

Forgive, Lord, the stubbornness of my heart and slowness to learn; oh how patient you are! You are more patient with me than I am with myself. Master Carpenter, I am a wonderful work of your hands and I rejoice in the gloriousness of your working.

Lord, I pray for the body of Christ. Where there is hurt, would you bring healing? Where there is disconnect and mixed signals, would you bring peace? Where love is lacking, would you pour out your Spirit? And where there is weakness, would you bring strength?

Let your people arise and shine and leave behind darkness in all its forms. You are indeed purifying your people, “purging” your body of the worldly infiltrations. Let true righteousness come, that which we have in you.

Let us serve one another in freedom and love, looking not to our own needs, but considering others more important than ourselves. How I have fallen short of that, Father. I seek your mercy and grace. I seek you. I come to you and find mercy and grace so readily available. I receive it.

Let all that we do, be done in love.

When my words fail to come and my thoughts are gone, when I am uninspired, you are here. And we have this promise of hope, that you are with the humble in their suffering; let them know this, Lord, let us know. You are close to those who are crushed in spirit and you heal the brokenhearted and bind up their wounds; let healing come, Lord.

As Tolkien wrote in “Return of the King” speaking to Aragorn, “Elfstone, through the darkness you have come to your hope, and have now all your desire. Use well the days!” Let hope come quickly and let us use well the days you have blessed us with Lord.

You have shown grace, let us show grace; you have given mercy, let us give mercy. Comfort us that we may comfort others. And let our hearts be submitted to your will and excited for your kingdom.

Amen.

Lord you are just. You are good. All your ways towards us are perfect and loving. Who can understand your reasonings and great depth of wisdom? Your ways are far above our ways. You are the Father of mercies.

Would you open our eyes to your great mercy and give your people wisdom from above and renewed understanding. Forgive us our rebellion, our pride, and our unspiritual thinking. Can any man blame God? Forgive us Lord for faulting you. You are above all blame and reproach and have lifted us, your children, to be blameless and above reproach.

We are your servants: unworthy but called, sanctified and set apart, chosen, and dearly loved. We embrace this.

Lord, in your mercy, would you align our thoughts to your thoughts? And would you bring repentance to those who don’t know you? Boldly we come to receive mercy and find grace and we wait on, hope in, and trust you.

Lord, Provider, you meet all our needs and we are content with your provision. Keep us from the fret that leads to sin, the sin of ingratitude, self-provision, and discontentment. All I have needed, your hand has provided, and great is your faithfulness.

You are relentless in your pursuit of us. To the very end you will work on us and form us into your image, breaking down our stubbornness of will and misconceptions of who you are. Though at times we may seek relief from such pursuit, we welcome it and thank you for it.

You are our Father and you care for us. In your gentle and loving dealings with us, not one stone is left unturned. How merciful you are. You have our hearts, yes Lord, and we are engraved forever on the palm of your hand.