Elohim, Creator of All,
You are the creator of all things. You gave every thing its design and purpose. As the One who is above all things, and in whom all things hold together, you are the only rightful judge. You embody truth. You see into the heart of man to his motivations. You are unlimited by time and place, so you alone see the whole picture. You are the Lord of lords and King of kings.
Even though you are the rightful judge over all, you sent your Son to us, not to condemn but to save us. Your Son never approved sin. To have done so, would have been to approve that which harms and pollutes your creation. Yet, He poured out mercy in such a way that uncovered sin and then washed it clean, leaving hope in its place. His kindness and mercy invites us to seek you and turn from our sin.
Help us, Father, to follow your Son’s perfect example. We fall so, so short. We confess before you that so often we take the seat of judgment that belongs to you. Yet, we do not judge as you judge. We wrongly think that we can determine the hidden motives of men. We think the worst of others all the while thinking the best of ourselves. We slander others, pointing out all of their flaws, not with the intent to bring hope and mercy, but to elevate our own position. We stand in condemnation of sinners when you, God, don’t desire anyone to perish but want all men to come to repentance.
Come, Holy Spirit, and change our hearts. We invite you to judge our motives and actions. Uncover our sin that we may repent and become more like you. Speak what is true about us. We thank you that your judgments always come clothed in mercy. As we look fully into your perfect holiness, help us to clothe ourselves in that same mercy. Help us to love the people around us unconditionally, not approving all that they do, but sincerely wanting each person to know your love and forgiveness. Help us to be conduits of hope, not condemnation. Help us to speak truth in merciful tones. Help us to always remember our own falleness. Give us the discernment to know right from wrong, good from evil, and the grace to stand for what is right and good while loving each and every person. Remind us that our enemy is not flesh and blood, but Satan and his deceptions.
Lord, we can radically love those around us while also discerning right from wrong, but we need you working and speaking into our hearts and minds to do so. Come, Holy Spirit, and do what only you can do. Make us like Jesus.