Father, in Jesus' name, thank You for being good, merciful, patient, and faithful. You are love and You are holy. You are grace and truth, You are merciful and You are just. How in heavens name do You not destroy this world that is so depraved and wicked? When we have earthly leaders and so many people who disregard You or take Your Word out of context in order to justify sinful things that are abominable and detestable to You. Are we not deserving of Your judgement? (*see paragraph at the end)
Jesus, help Your followers to hate what You hate and to love what You love. Make us a people who hate wickedness and love righteousness. Cause our hearts to mourn and be angry when the ungodly parade what is vile as something to be celebrated. Do not allow us to be silent any longer as satan is destroying people's lives. So many people are blind and bound, as we once were, and it is Your truth that brings freedom and Your Word that brings light. Fill our hearts with a holy boldness and Your love for every human being created in Your image and likeness. Anoint and use us to carry Your life and light into the places of death and darkness as we partner with You in Your rescue mission.
Jesus, the world hated You though You came into the world to demonstrate the Father's love by dying on the cross. You said that if the world hated You that it would hate those of us that follow You. Prepare us to stand against the schemes of the devil and in the face of persecution as we take up the whole armor of God. You have not called us to gather for a play date with friends on the playground but to a combat mission with comrades on the battlefield.
Make us a people who come after You, daily take up our crosses, and follow You wherever You lead us. May we be true disciples who love You infinitely more than we love anyone else, including our own lives, who count the costs of living for You, and renounce all things. Bring us to the place where only You have a hold of our lives. Help us to count all things as loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing You as Lord. Because of You we consider the loss of all things as rubbish that we may gain You and a have a right standing with God through faith in You. In Jesus' name, Amen!!!
*God, sent His Son Jesus, the righteous One, into the world to be the atoning sacrifice for the sins of those who believe on Him, not only for ours, but also for those of the whole world. Jesus appeased God's just wrath against sin by His sacrificial death on the cross for the whole human race. He satisfied God's righteous demands, death for sin, so that God is favorably disposed towards all who place their faith in Him for eternal life. God Himself paid the price for a legal relationship and intimate fellowship with you (Tony Evans Study Bible).
Here is a simple prayer if you have not yet given your life to Jesus and invited him into yours:
Jesus, I believe you are the Son of God, that you died on the cross to rescue me from sin and death and to restore me to the Father. I choose now to turn from my sins, my self-centeredness, and every part of my life that does not please you. I choose you. I give myself to you. I receive your forgiveness and ask you to take your rightful place in my life as my Savior and Lord. Come reign in my heart, fill me with your love and your life, and help me to become a person who is truly loving—a person like you. Restore me, Jesus. Live in me. Love through me. Thank you, God. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen