We have been made wealthy “with the riches of God’s grace” (Eph.1:7)—“Enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion” (2Cor.9:11).
Gracious Father, thank you… let’s start there today. by the Gospel you have enriched us beyond measure with the currency of your mercy, grace, love, and kindness. We can go on a spending spree with your grace because you continue to give us “grace upon grace” (Jn.1:16).
Give us courage, freedom, and wisdom as we seek to be generous with your grace in a wide range of circumstances. To be honest, in some of the places, stories, and relationships you’ve placed us, it’s easier to withhold your grace than to think about investing it. So we abandon ourselves to you for help, Father.
To “forgive as you have forgiven us” in Jesus (Eph. 4:32) is basic, daily, and not too difficult most of the time. But some situations require wisdom from above and a willingness only your Spirit can give us. For starters, make the truth of how you have forgiven us real, precious, and current. Without fresh humility and gratitude, we’ll continue to “call down fire” on certain people, rather than having any desire to spend your grace on them.
To “accept others as you have accepted us” (Rom.15:7) can also be “tricky.” Father, how do we accept others with whom we disagree on important matters? Show us how to be caring without compromising truth. Help us build bridges of grace, curiosity, and kindness… as opposed to walls of fear, self-protection, and self-righteousness. Help us choose the risks of a gentle heart over the certain dangers of a hard heart. Help us and grace us, Father. So Very Amen.