Saturday, September 29, 2012

Prayer for Being in Community


Father God, there is no one like you.  Your power, your beauty, your faithfulness and grace bring us to our knees. We thank you for the opportunity to worship you.  We thank you for the gift of your own SON, Jesus Christ, who calls us friend and teaches us how to be a Godly neighbor.  We thank you for your Holy Spirit, sent to us to guide our way.
Yet… we go through our days forgetting to believe and failing to act upon our belief in what you can accomplish through our lives.  Forgive us. 

We lug unnecessary baggage into our opportunities to live in grace.  Forgive us for that, and help us to break through to freedom.
Out of fear and ignorance and lies of insecurity, we put up barriers to those who you name our brothers and sisters.  Forgive us and warm our hearts to melt the perceived differences.

 Greater things are meant to be done through us, here in our city, in our neighborhoods, in our church.  Give us a thirst for your word each day, so that as we go out…..we are first filled with you.  As we gaze upon our neighbors, may we see that we are gazing upon your children.  Urge us to pray for them and open our eyes to their needs. 
Lord as we work alongside others in our community, may our words and actions sing your praises.  Guide us to pray for our community leaders and for how we can lend a hand.  Greater things are still to be done here.

As our hearts overflow with your presence, Lord, light a fire in us to share our own story of your faithfulness in our life.  Give us the courage to take these small risks, as we learn to let ourselves trust you throughout the many moments of our day.  As we glimpse your Glory, our hearts overflow and our passion grows.  Father God, there is no one like you, and we praise your Holy Name.  Amen.