Mighty, merciful, and gracious Father,
In a world that forms us for distraction, be our firm foundation. In a world full of so much noise and information that leaves us disenchanted and disillusioned, draw us into your Word, that we might see and experience the reality of your good work in the midst of the world’s darkness.
We so often put our faith in anything and anyone other than you. Turn us to you and who you reveal yourself to fully be in Jesus Christ.
You sent your one and only Son into creation not to condemn it, but to save it. Not to demand that we pull ourselves up by our spiritual bootstraps, but to proclaim good news to the spiritually poor.
King Jesus,
You came into your creation not to condemn it, but to save it. To enter into our grief to provide comfort, to anoint us with the oil of joy instead of mourning, to cloak us in peace instead of a spirit of despair before God. You poured out your blood to save us who were dead in our tresspasses and sin so that we might be conformed to your image and made your vessels to pour out your truth, grace, and compassion to our neighbors.
King Jesus,
You came into your creation not to condemn it, but to save it. To bind up the brokenhearted. To proclaim the release of the prisoners from the darkness of our own making. To proclaim freedom for the captives of sin. Rest us in the truth of the Good News: “It is for freedom that Christ set us free.”
Cause us to walk in that freedom from condemnation. Cause us to walk in that freedom in the certainty of your promises in an uncertain world. Cause us to walk in that freedom, proclaiming forgiveness when the world demands we do nothing but condemn. Cause us to walk in that freedom, bearing the Good News of your present and active royal reign.
AMEN.