Embracing Divine Mercy and Grace Through Christ - Prayer Journal 240

Father, You are gracious and have consistently shown kindness to me and all of Your children. You extend Your goodness even to those who are wicked and oppose You. You send rain upon the fields of both the righteous and the unrighteous. I am deeply grateful that in Your anger, You remember to show mercy. You have not given humanity what we truly deserve. For everyone has sinned and falls short of God's glory, and the consequence of sin is death. Yet, You offer people the chance to confess their sins, repent, and return to You, as the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

God, You didn't have to do this. You would have been completely justified in unleashing the entirety of Your wrath on humanity for eternity. Yet, for reasons beyond my comprehension, You made arrangements for our salvation even before creating the world and placing people in it. You did this fully aware that we would disobey and rebel against You by worshipping the creation instead of You, the Creator, who is eternally worthy of praise.

At a moment You appointed, You sent Your Son, Jesus, into the world, born of a woman, to redeem those who had violated Your law. He entered the world through a virgin, Mary, so that He would be both fully human and fully divine. He concealed His divinity in the likeness of sinful humanity. Yet, despite being tempted in every way as we are, He remained without sin. He obeyed You, Father, completely in all things, even to the point of death on the cross. His once-and-for-all sacrifice for sin is sufficient to atone for the sins of the entire world.

Your mercy is plentiful, and Your grace is extraordinary. You are holy and dwell in unapproachable light. Yet, You have made it possible for me to enter Your presence through Jesus, who offered His blood on the heavenly mercy seat. Help me remain before Your throne, recognizing my need for You in every moment, every breath, every step, and every decision I make. Without You, I can do nothing. It is only by remaining in You, Jesus, and Your Word remaining in me that I can bear much fruit for the Father's glory. May my life be enveloped by Your glorious presence and love.

Lead me to a place where my life overflows from a deep connection with You. Let my entire being seek only You. Make me pursue You passionately, like the Apostle Paul. In gratitude for Your abundant mercies, given through Christ Jesus, I now offer myself completely to You. Remove worldly love from my heart and fill it with Your love. Help me not to conform to the world but to be transformed by renewing my mind, so I may discern Your good, pleasing, and perfect will. In Jesus' name, Amen!