Prayer: Our God in heaven: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, we give you praise because of your great work of salvation that you have wisely brought through the labors of your beloved Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Though we are undeserving of your love, you have decreed to rescue us from the misery that is our sin and bring us gloriously into your kingdom. We thank you for saving us and giving us your Spirit. Though we still struggle with the world, the flesh, and the devil, we know that you will persevere us to the very end of our lives and bring us safely into the New Heavens and the New Earth. Therefore, Father, please help us and increase in us a greater affection for the Savior. Please give us a willing heart and mind to do all that you have commanded.
We pray that you will sustain us today. Though some would accuse and demean us, we rest on you and your Word. Though some slander us and say all kinds of evil about us, we trust you. Though some say they love but do not demonstrate it according to your Word, we know you love us and will never fail us. We confess that we are often troubled by the actions of men — actions that are done in secret to destroy and ruin — we know that you see, and you hear, and you will judge according to your perfect righteousness and wisdom. Forgive us, Father, for our lack of love, and forgive us for our lack of control over our tongue. We know that if anyone does not sin with his words, he is a perfect man able to bridle his whole body. Therefore, please help us to carefully guard against the restless evil that exists within us for we often fail in this area. Thank you for being kind and just and forgiving us when we fail you. These things we pray through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Scripture Meditation: Eph. 2:1-3; Jas. 3:1-12; 4:11-12
