You are a holy God. You created this world, but it is set apart from you. You are above and beyond the finite trappings of this reality. You allow your love to radiate into this world, overcoming evil, sin and badness, and we have all been touched by your love at some point in our lives. Thank you for being both powerful and loving, so that we have nothing to fear in you, but instead can find shelter in your strength, apart from all the worries and problems of this world.
We thank you that you have offered us a life beyond the few years we have on this earth, a life that is holy, like you are holy, and that lasts forever, just as you are eternal. What a blessing to share these characteristics with you, our great and glorious God! We were in spiritual poverty, and you saw our need and paid our debts - not in money, but in blood. We are humbly thankful for Jesus Christ - the immortal, who yet died for our sake - that you have raised him from the dead, to show to us that our lives do not end in death, but that we will be raised like him. What great hope we have in that!
And so we ask you, Father, that you will help us to keep our eyes fixed on what is really worthwhile - your son Jesus, his death, his resurrection, and his imminent return. Help us to be obedient to you, and to reflect the holy life you have given us, by separating ourselves from the lies and deceit that surround us, and threaten to distract us from you. You have saved us from that way of life that has been handed down to us by our ancestors - a life of greed and selfishness, of valuing money and power and family and health and comfort and security - an empty way of life that leads nowhere. But we don't have to live that way any more, thanks to you! Keep reminding us of that, so every day we can turn our backs on the seductive lies that our society tells us to live for.
But even as we turn from the evils of this world, please help us to keep our hearts full of your divine love for all the people of this world. There is so much suffering, so much sickness, so much poverty, so much distress and hurt. Please help us to overflow with your love for people, so that we can show them through our words and our ways that you are the God of peace, you are the God of healing, you are the God who provides, and you are the God of love. We think now of all those we know who are suffering from the brokenness of this world, and we pray that you will be close to them. Let them feel your love, and let them rely on you. And help us to be your hands and feet, to go and to help those we know who are struggling. Give us ears to listen to their troubles, and equip us to show your love in practical ways that reflect your redemption of us into eternal life.
And keep in us a longing for your son's return, when all of these problems will fade away, and we will be with you forever.
All this we pray, by the authority of your son Jesus, Amen
No comments:
Post a Comment