Washing Our Hearts - Our Prayer
Our hearts are heavy today. Not in the sort of way that needs fixing but the way that let's us know we will never be the same again. It's a good ache. An ache of truth the arises bright faces; the irony of walking with our Father God.
Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. James 4:4
How much do you love me? Oh God, we love you!
(The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. John 21:17)
5 Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, “He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us”? 6 But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” 7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you. James 4:5-10
God,
Give us grace to trust you. Hold tight to us as we walk into places we have not traveled before. Give us more of your love to see rightly.
Build up forgiveness in us like floodwaters to pour out readily and generously for the words we hear, for misunderstanding, for judgment, for cruelty. Equip us to display what you would have us in your mercy that those looking in would be drawn to you more.
In suffering, you brought forth salvation. In the rejection of Jesus by man, man would be rescued. So it is our blessing when the world does not understand the beauty you have brought us through adoption. May Jesus be close to our hearts that the victory of heaven be the first words on our lips.
Reveal your wisdom through ways unknown to man. Blow open the doors of steel called LIES that keep your children from hearing your voice. Wreck the views that have been placed there through tradition and then held there in FEAR. We thank you for the kiss of comfort from the Holy Spirit to teach us an honest and honoring way to respond that will bring peace and glory to your Holy name.
Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. James 4:4
How much do you love me? Oh God, we love you!
(The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. John 21:17)
5 Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, “He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us”? 6 But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” 7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you. James 4:5-10
Give us grace to trust you. Hold tight to us as we walk into places we have not traveled before. Give us more of your love to see rightly.
Build up forgiveness in us like floodwaters to pour out readily and generously for the words we hear, for misunderstanding, for judgment, for cruelty. Equip us to display what you would have us in your mercy that those looking in would be drawn to you more.
In suffering, you brought forth salvation. In the rejection of Jesus by man, man would be rescued. So it is our blessing when the world does not understand the beauty you have brought us through adoption. May Jesus be close to our hearts that the victory of heaven be the first words on our lips.
Reveal your wisdom through ways unknown to man. Blow open the doors of steel called LIES that keep your children from hearing your voice. Wreck the views that have been placed there through tradition and then held there in FEAR. We thank you for the kiss of comfort from the Holy Spirit to teach us an honest and honoring way to respond that will bring peace and glory to your Holy name.
And may your name ever be the banner upon our hearts as the one and only God who is good and is faithful and who brings justice in mercy with perfect love. We praise you that our time here is precious and holy to be carefully contemplated, gently tended and marked as eternal remembrances of a grace beyond compare.
Amen.....
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