"I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh."
Lord Jesus,
In a hard-hearted world renew us, and grant us hearts that are firm in their foundation in faith in You, yet tender toward our neighbors.
In an atmosphere mired in and often idolatrous of the violence of the pen, the violence of the tongue and the violence of action, renew us, sanctify us, set us apart. By your Spirit make us the peacekeepers, the love and hope givers, the grace and truth speakers, the Good News proclaimers You have called us to be.
You did not come into this world to be served, but to serve, to the point of death on the cross. Your love is a consuming fire. Consume us and make us new, that we might shine your light in the darkness. Pour out your love through your Word, that we might practice true worship through the self-sacrificial loving of our neighbors. Make us your hands and feet in service to those around us. Make us agents of your reign of justice, love, and mercy.
May your kingdom come, Lord, and your will be done, on earth, as it is in heaven.
All praise be to you Lord Jesus, God of grace, God of mercy, God of justice, God of compassion, King of kings, and Lord of lords.
AMEN.