A Prayer for a Grace Heart
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Colossians 3:12-14
Dear Father, what an profound identity and incomparable reality you have given us in Jesus. Who are we in light of the work of your Son? We are your chosen (not choice!), set apart, dearly loved people. You have raised us to newness of life in Jesus, freeing us from all the claims of judgment and death. You have robed us in his righteousness, wrapped us in your embrace, sealing us as yours forever by God the Holy Spirit! You cannot love us more than you do today and you will never love us less! We believe, help our unbelief!
Lord Jesus, to be dressed in the gift of your righteousness is actually to be dressed in a wedding garment, for we are your beloved Bride. Help us daily to put on the garments of grace appropriate to such privilege, calling and joy.
Father, through the resources of the gospel, help us put off hardheartedness for compassion; a critical spirit for kindness; arrogance for humility; irritability for gentleness; demanding-ness for patience.
Where it’s a foregone conclusion that a friendship or marriage is over, help us to forebear even longer, not in denial but through your perservering love. Where we have real grievances against others for the harm done to us, empower us to forgive one another, not forsake one another. And Lord Jesus when this seems like you are asking too much of us, keep us alive to the ways you have forgiven us-completely, eternally, joyfully.
Lastly, Lord Jesus, great and gracious Bridegroom, please renew our hearts in your profuse, passionate, and persistent love for us. Free us from the illusion that what we really want can be found anywhere else or in anyone else but in you. Amen