Everlasting God,

 

You are a just God who in your great love longs to extend your forgiveness to us. You are the only Good God. You told us in Micah 6: 8 that you require of us what is good; we are to act justly, to love mercy and to walk humbly with you. From the Garden of Eden to the present day, in our own pride and selfish importance, we plan iniquity, plot evil, covet and defraud [See Micah 2]. We cannot in our own strength and power do good. In truth, the only way we can know love and goodness, is to look to you, Jesus. “This is how we know what love is: [you] laid down [your] life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.” [1 John 3: 1.] You appeared to destroy the devil’s work [1 John 3: 7]. Hallelujah! Out of your love for us, you do not force yourself on us, but allow us to choose whether or not we will accept you as LORD and Savior.

 

We see your goodness, LORD God, and we see our sinfulness. “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, [you] are faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness [1 John 1: 8-9]. We pray that you will reveal your presence in us and throughout the Warren community and the world. You are being patient with us, because you desire that everyone will repent and come to you [1 Peter 3: 9]. Lord, please send your Holy Spirit on us, as you did on Pentecost long ago [Acts 2: 40-41]. Revive us, LORD Jesus, we pray; in your name, AMEN.