Loving and gracious God, we fall down before you, in awe and wonder. We are in awe of your omnipotence. We wonder at your limitless forgiveness. We try to contemplate the deep meaning of Jesus’ sacrifice, how it continues to change the world. We struggle with our response to your many blessings and work to serve you every day.
Teach us, O Lord, the way of your statutes. Fill us with your Holy Spirit. Give us the gifts of discernment and wisdom as we seek to comprehend your will for us, not just on the surface, but deep in our hearts and minds. Help us translate your desires into real, concrete actions, for surely the Gospel is not an earthly story written to guide us to our own selfish gain, but instead a challenging road map of truth for us to follow.
Give us understanding that we may live as you would have us live, sharing your love with the wretched, the dispossessed, the cast-off people of the world. As we meet their physical and mental needs, Lord, let us share the Good News, so they all will know that you are Lord and it is you who provides for them.
Lead us in the path of your commandments, working to live right lives, lives pleasing to you. Lead us especially, as we strive to follow our commandment from Jesus: to love one another as he loves us.
Turn our hearts toward you and away from vanities, O God. The world calls to us. On the surface it’s so beautiful and it plays to our pride and our ego…pressing us, pushing us to the notion of us as the center of the universe. On our own, we cannot resist its allure. We are too weak; we are too immature. Lift us up out of the muck and land us firmly on the rock, the rock that is your truth. Turn our hearts toward the selfless nature of the Gospel.
Bless our enemies, Father. Give us strength as your servants, to bridge chasms, to reach out in the name of Jesus, and share with your love with everyone…the love that can turn enemy into brother.
Father, you open your arms and beckon to us; we run to you, eager to share our joys as well as our sorrows. In the silence, Lord, hear us as we lay before you what is in our hearts and on our minds.
Praise be to you, gracious God, and to your son, the risen savior.
We ask your blessings, Lord, on Philokalia Ministries and the Headen Family as they work to express your love to outcasts of our societies. Not only do the Headens preach the gospel, but they share your unconditional love with HIV patients, helping them understand they have a home in your kingdom and helping them remain productive members of their community even as their health and strength slip away in the ravages of their disease. Strengthen the Headens and members of the ministry as they share your love in the midst of death.
Now, loving Father, we pray together as Jesus, the Christ, taught us to pray:
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