Our Lord – Prayer

Psalm 37:3-7

Trust in the Lord and do good;
    dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
Take delight in the Lord,
    and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Commit your way to the Lord;
    trust in him and he will do this:
He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn,
    your vindication like the noonday sun.

Be still before the Lord
    and wait patiently for him;
do not fret when people succeed in their ways,
    when they carry out their wicked schemes.

Lord, thank you that when you created humans you made us in your image to bring glory to you. Please work in us that we would want to fulfill your purposes. With our minds may we learn to think like you. With our hearts may we learn to love as you love. With our will may we choose to do the things that please you. Thank you that through the death and resurrection of Jesus our soul finds a place of rest and security in you.

May We Recognize

Lord, may we recognize that the reason we have been given life isn’t to fulfill our own desires but to do what pleases you. May we die to self and come alive in you so that we treat others as you would have us. We pray that we would learn to put the needs and interests of others above our own.

May we live as you lived, wanting what is best for others and willingly sacrificing our interests to build them up. May your love in us flow out of us and touch the lives of others in a meaningful way.

Lord, we recognize that the only way we can live that way is through your spirit living in us. May we want to uncover anything in our lives that breaks our connection to you. May we see clearly our sin that separates us from you and causes you to turn away from us. May we believe that what you say is good is good and what you say is bad is bad and live accordingly.

Heavenly Father, thank you that you desire to bless and benefit us. May we understand that our rebellion and the injustices we commit keep you from doing that. May we as individuals and as a nation see clearly what we are doing that causes you to turn away from us. Please humble us and purify our hearts and minds so we are able to see and walk your way. We pray for restoration and for you to make us right.

Amen