Lord,
Instead of dependence on you, we so often choose sinful independence from you. We are convinced of our own wisdom. We place our love and trust in countless things below rather than those things You graciously give us from above. We trust in our own righteousness, striving to justify and sanctify ourselves before You on account of our own works, only to find that we do what we don’t want to do, and don’t do what your Spirit calls us to do.
As members of your church, the very body of Christ…..where we are corrupt, Lord, purify us; where we are in error, correct us; where we are disordered, reform us; where we are in need, provide for us; where we are divided, reconcile us.
You alone can lead us from darkness into the light of your grace, and the darkness cannot overcome it. You alone can lead us from captivity to true freedom. You alone can lead us from fear into a peace that passes all understanding. You alone can lead us from despair into joy, from condemnation into forgiveness, for You alone bind us by your covenant of love authored by and found in Christ. By your Word, Help us to trust in the name of our Savior faithfully and steadfastly, for He is faithful and steadfast for us. For Christ alone is our light, our righteousness, our wisdom. Christ alone is our comfort and peace, our justification and sanctification, for Christ alone is our salvation. Hold fast to us in these truths, Lord. Unburden our tempted, distracted and troubled hearts. Have us trust in the person and work of Christ alone. Christ crucified, Christ risen, Christ living, Christ reigning.
AMEN.