Heavenly Father, help me realize...
That you loved the whole world while we were lost in rebellion
That you gave your Son for us before we gave our lives to you
That Jesus demonstrated love and mercy in the face of taunting, torture and murder.
As your children, redeemed and reconciled by Christ’s blood...
Help us be agents of your reconciliation
Help us be ambassadors of your coming kingdom
Help us return mercy for insult and grace for injustice.
As your Church, your Bride, your Body...
Let us contend for souls rather than simply for party or position
Let us be prejudiced by your love for sinners rather than our hatred for sin
Let us be undone—not by the divisiveness of these times—but by the glory of your presence.
In this contentious season...
May our love for others testify to your love for us
May your incomprehensible peace transcend this momentary chaos
May our trust in you confound those who trust in chariots and horses
May our worship of you draw others to your table.
In Christ, our peacemaker’s name, we pray,
Amen.