May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word. 2 Thess. 2:16-17
Dear heavenly Father, you could delegate a legion of angels; you could send a bird to sit on our shoulder; you could use any of a number of means—any of which would be awesome. But you, yourself, come to us in the Scriptures, bringing the manna of daily mercies and fresh grace. I praise, bless, and thank you.
Your Word is such a gift to us. It’s a treasure trove of life-giving perspective, an artesian spring of well-timed refreshment, a perpetual supply of heart-renewing truth, and a pre-paid return ticket to gospel sanity.
Father, because of the “eternal encouragement and good hope” of your love for us in Jesus, I’m comfortable making myself vulnerable today, without muting or masking my feelings. Lord, I’m feeling a bit disconnected, wary, on edge, and uptight.
I don’t know if I’ve tried to get too much done in too little time. I’m not sure about the spiritual warfare issues swirling about me. It could be the accuser whispering lies, innuendos and accusations. Perhaps it’s just that I’m getting older and I don’t have the same energy I used to have.
It could just be the tension of life in the “already and not yet,” or maybe I’m trying to do life with too little sleep. Then again, possibly it’s just the groaning of birth pangs in my heart—so wanting to be much more like Jesus than I already am. Probably, it’s is a little all of the above.
In any case, and every case, I humble myself to receive what you are so glad and generous to give. Thank you for being Immanuel—the God who is with us and for us. Thank you for never rolling your eyes or resenting our weakness. Thank you for giving us grace, and not bootstraps to pull up. Thank you for a perfect salvation and a most perfect Savior. I cast my care on you right now, knowing you care for us. So very Amen I pray, in Jesus’ loving and trustworthy name.