A Prayer

“See, I have refined you, though not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction.” Isaiah 48:10

Dearest Holy Father,

Thank you for seeing me. You see my innermost fears and concerns. You see when I am broken and afraid. You meet me in my heart-ache. You don’t turn from me when I’m tired, or angry, and frightened, or doubting. You gaze on me as your beloved and you pour your peace on my head like oil. Thank you, God, for seeing me.

Lord, you know my anxious ways and you know my nature to flee from you when I am afraid. Thank you for your faithfulness to love me in my humanity. You chase after me with kindness, peace and joy.

There are so many hurting in the world right now, God, and you know each of their hearts. You know the heart of the widow and the orphan. You know the heart of the addict and the liar. You know them each so intimately, that you know the number of hairs on their head and you save each of their tears in a bottle.

Holy Spirit, you listen to my groaning soul when I have no words. You listen to the rambling of my heart and mind when I can’t make sense of the chaos that is before me. You quiet my concerns. You give my anxious spirit rest. Holy Spirit, you are with me and you hear me.

Jesus, forgive my wayward heart. Forgive my spirit when it wants to follow paths of unrighteousness. You are the way, the truth and the life. Help me to turn to you, trust you and faithfully follow your perfect plan.

Let your fire burn and cast out all my fears. Let your refiner’s fire remove the impurity of my heart and make it beat as an instrument of your peace. Lord, let people look upon me and see You. Where there is suffering, bless my hands and feet to serve others, love others and treat others as your beloved child. There is not one that you have turned away from. There is not one you have forgotten. No one is gone from your sight.

Thank you, God, for the gift of your Son, Jesus, who suffered persecution, torture and death on a cross so that none would be lost. Thank you that his love was so great, he faced the ultimate test and endured the ultimate sacrifice for me.

Be with those now who are broken and grieving. Be with the lost. Lord pour your blessings on them and give them hope in your purpose for their lives. Deliver us from the darkness and evil that is so prevalent in our world today.

Thank you for this new day.

These things I pray in the holy name of Jesus Christ,

Amen