A Willing Vessel

Father God,

The words of Paul to Peter in Galatians 2:15-21 just had a reverberating echo in my heart today during the sermon.  Nothing but faith in your free gift of the death and resurrection of your son can "justify" or make me right with you. But oh how my flesh, so often longs do "right" in your eyes.

Lord God, if there are still hints of legalism within me, I just pray that you would softly sand those edges in my heart. God, in your strength and your power, instill in me a balance of a heart to follow you but also as a person who recognizes their need for you and that perfection will never be obtainable. Lord, given me a reverence and fear for you that is not bound in legalism. Help me understand grace through your eyes.

Lord, I pray that I would not get caught up in the traditions and relatively "good" aspects of faith that become idols when they are our focus in worship, rather than these practices redirecting our hearts back to you and your grace-filled love.

Specifically this week, Lord, I pray for the clients that I will see. Lord, help me not try to "muscle it" with them.  Fill me with your wisdom and strength to tackle the hurt, pain, and shame that often takes residence in their hearts.  Lord, you know the particular person I have on my heart. Lord, your will be done. While I may not be able to speak your name directly, Lord, I pray in some way this person would have the opportunity to hear of the freedom that is found in you.  Lord, if I interact with this person, please be my words. On my own, I know I will fail.  But with you, I know you can move.

Lord, I am not currently serving anywhere in the body specifically.  You know my heart behind this, but I pray this week that you would give me eyes to see opportunities you put on my path to be a fellow sinner freed by grace with those around me. I don't know specifically what that looks like, but God I pray that you would fill me with your spirit, to recognize your promptings when they arise.

Lord, I again lift Ryan up to you and surrender him.  My hands sometimes want to hold so tightly, but I know I have to walk in faith that you know what you are doing. Give me strength to walk this journey with patience, wisdom as to how best to honor you in the relationship, and courage to be faithful to who you've made me to be and called me by name to be.  Lord, help me to live out the relationship as a person who is first named by you. I want you to be my foundation, my landing place, by guiding compass as I navigate this journey.  Be my joy, Lord. This is an exciting time. I pray I wouldn't get so lost in the process that I forget to enjoy it.  Thanks for an awesome day yesterday seeing him interact with the people in his life. Lord, help me to honor those relationships in his life.

God, somedays I just mess up. Forgive me when I lose focus on you first. I pray that your truth would act as my guide, when satan tries to catch me up with thinking that is not grounded in truth.


You are good God, alwasy good:)

Amen