Today’s blog prayer is written by Tony Sims, husband and dad, church member and deacon and servant leader on the West Park Prayer Leadership Team.
1 Peter 3:8 – Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. (ESV)
Heavenly Father,
What an awesome Father you are to your children. You are a Father of light in whom there is no darkness at all. You declare us as your children to participate in your kingdom. Lord, we understand that we are a fallen people and do not represent you as we should in this dark world. The choices and stances we often take bring shame to you and how we affect our brothers and sisters in Christ. You are clear in your Word that we are to humble ourselves under your mighty hand that we may be exalted by you at the proper time.
Our nation, government, media, social networking, and families are suffering from a lack of humbling ourselves before you. We fail miserably in listening to others who are hurting during a time when the “author of confusion,” our enemy, is at work. Father, we choose to listen to the many voices around us in the world and refuse to even attempt to look through the lens of others as to how our actions impact your kingdom which includes our brothers and sisters in Christ who you dearly love. You boldly asked us not to be conformed to this world but be transformed through your Word. We humbly ask that you help us to see how you value love in all our relationships. The only way that we as brothers and sisters in Christ can show the world that we are your image bearers is that we show love that is active and not passive.
Thank you, Father, how you demonstrated love through Jesus during His ministry on earth. Your attention was on the marginalized, the rejects of society, the oppressed, those who had no voices and the disqualified. Your Word says that you came to set at liberty those who are oppressed. Give us sensitive ears and humble minds and hearts to see how our choices and fallenness impact your intentions for your kingdom. We understand that suffering precedes glory as it has been demonstrated by the prophets of old, the apostles, many saints before us and, most importantly, by Jesus who suffered for us and now is glorified. Help us to be poor in spirit, mourners, meek, willing to comfort others, peacemakers, merciful, pure in heart, and to hunger and thirst for righteousness in this world.
We need you to please give our church leaders your Word that will spark a spirit of humility in the behavior of your people. Help us to understand it is not about us, but it is all about you. Father, help us to remember that this world is not our home and we are only pilgrims passing through. While we are here, help us to follow your example by having a humble, open mind towards you and especially our brothers and sisters in Christ.
Help us to love you with all our heart, soul, and mind and love our neighbors as ourselves in fulfillment of your command. Forgive us for not loving our neighbors and for not taking on the mind of Christ so that your name will be glorified throughout this world. Now, Father, we commit our hearts and all our thoughts to pleasing you because of what you did for all of us through your Son at Calvary, by humbly taking on our sins to make us right with you. It is in Jesus’ precious name we ask these things. Amen
