A Prayer

Father,

The world around us is in great trouble. Sometimes it just hurts to think about this. Things that were once so very obvious to everyone are now up for grabs. What is marriage? What is a family? How are children to be raised? What does it mean for a man to be masculine? What does it mean for a woman to be feminine? Father, these things are the foundation of the rest of life, and they are changing before our eyes. Truth is being forgotten, and lies are being embraced.

Father, how can people live if they aren't clear on how life is designed to work? So many lives are being ruined. They don't even know which way is up? Some are trying to figure it out, trying to live in a way that makes sense, but how can they? The basics are rejected. How do you build a life out of what is false? There are many are suffering, Father. There is much to mourn here.

And yet, you are still God of this creation, Jesus is still Lord over all, the Spirit is not yet done with his mission. And your church still has a role to play in redemption of all things.

So, we look to You, Father. What do you want us to do? Confused and hurting people are all around us. Many know, deep down, that their lives are not working, but they don't have a clue why or what to do about it. They need to hear the truth. They need to hear it and then believe it. They need Jesus.

But the church's reputation is so low in the minds of so many of them. They aren't interested in listening to us. And, to be honest, for the most part, I can't really blame them.

So, what do You want us to do so that they will be willing just to listen?  And what shall we say when they are ready to hear? How can we be used by You to bring the healing of the Gospel to these pained lives? We want them to know Jesus because He is the one who will guide them into a life based on truth. He is the one who will guide them into a life that works. What are we to do so that that will happen? Father, please guide us, teach us, correct us, direct us so that we will fulfill our calling to be Your church bringing the light of the Gospel into such dark times. Through Christ our Lord, Amen.