I’ve noticed that St. Paul often opened and closed his epistles with the phrase “grace and peace.” He was writing to the early churches scattered outward from Rome to Asia Minor and knew they were facing persecution and other problems suffered by new Christians in an opposing society. His situation was similar to ours. A secular culture which denied the importance of mercy and the love of Jesus in a society where might was right and there was widespread strife. I contend, it was not much different from ours with reports of imminent and active war, earthquakes, crime in our streets, and weaknesses in community life by similar measures. There is active persecution against Christ’s message, yet the church is growing in maturity and numbers when facing such difficulties. We hear of revival in our own nation recently, and leaders saying that the heart of America needs to change and God is the answer.
During Lent, I think we should focus on praying for the persecuted church, for those martyred for their faith, and for the struggling church plants striving against formidable odds in all parts of the world. We need to pray for the church in Ukraine. We need to pray that the Christian outreach to earthquake and disasters victims. Perhaps they’ve never before known that Christ cares about their plight because they are seeing sermons rather than hearing them preached. Christ in action is amazing.
My Lenten prayer for today is title Grace and Mercy May it bless you.
MY PSALM 312 GRACE AND MERCY
Our Father Who art in heaven,
We bless You today for giving us forgiveness
Through the immense work of Your Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord.
For through His sacrifice, through Your love,
We have been forgiven and restored by Your mercy.
Like the rain that refreshes us on a hot summer day,
We welcome Your gift that takes us
From desperation to forgiveness to grace.
We did nothing to earn Your merit,
In fact, we’ve done everything wrong!
We have broken every commandment,
Reversed each Beatitude, neglected the Covenant,
And have wandered like proverbial lost sheep.
We’ve been the rich young ruler,
So in love with the world we couldn’t see Yours.
We’re still the prodigal son, or the elder one,
Seldom seeing true understanding of Your mercy.
We’ve shouted in the crowd, “Hosanna!”
But abandoned, betrayed You on the cross.
We’ve said, “I am a true follower of Jesus!”
But failed The Great Commission,
Your rallying cry, Your final message
To tell a stranger, or even a friend
About how You saved our souls and love them too,
That we own the Good News, the Keys to the Kingdom
Yet keep silent, not sharing Your message worldwide.
We trust there is more grace and mercy for us.
That You’re not finished with us yet,
You’ll provide Godincidences, opportunities
The very words to speak,
You’ll give us breath and life and strength to tell them
Ambassadors to nations, tribes, people, tongues
Or bloom us where we’re planted, raise family legacies,
Or send us on missions, at home, abroad, each day
We pray You’ll use us always, according to Your will.
We know You will restore excitement, the passion,
The fire and zeal we first had when we came,
In eager commitment, totally believing Your plan.
We sat at Your feet, learned of You, matured in the faith,
Made prayerful, heartfelt promises to do Your will
With vigor, intention, Your mission our pure joy.
Then life intervened, busy days, mundane excuses
And lost, lukewarm, we ignored Ascension Day’s words.
Give us grace and mercy, awake us, shake us, amaze us
With fresh insights, church without walls, innovation
Without reservation, to shout from rooftops,
Or whisper intercession to send forth the Message,
In words, songs, texts, messages, conversations,
Whatever means You reveal to this generation.
Today, this very day, we pray You will drop on us the dew
Of New-Day restoration, renewal, revival, intention
Walking deliberately each moment in Your Presence
Knowing You have brought us closer than ever
To our purpose, our privilege to share Who You are
To hasten Your Kingdom on earth where we dwell
Preparing for the moment when all knees will bow
Knowing You as I do, bringing Glory to Your Name.
Give us strength for the battle You’ve already won,
Send us where You want us, to Your Glory and acclaim.
We wait Your command to serve You, Jesus, Master. Amen, resounding Amen.
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