Sunday, April 14, 2019

A Prayer

Father,

We rejoice at the thought, the simple yet profound thought, that Jesus is Lord. He is the one who rules. And He rules over every aspect of creation. And He rules with a focus on His Church.

But, Father, every day we are bombarded with messages that try to convince of the opposite, that try to convince us that this world is out of control or that some nation or super corporation or terrorist group has the power to control so much. But we know that none of that is true. Jesus is Lord. He is the one who rules all that goes on throughout this globe and in every aspect of our lives.

We know this, Father, and we really do believe it. But sometimes we don't. Sometimes we yield to the lies. And that shows in our fears, in our worries, in our trying to plan everything out in such detail, thinking that if we are able to anticipate all the possibilities, we will be safe. What foolishness. And in our saner moments we see that it really is foolishness.

So, we ask, Father, first, that You would forgive us this sin. Forgive us that we believe, at times, that someone else is lord or that we can be lord over our own lives or that there is no lord and who knows what will happen. Forgive us this sin and grant us the grace that we need to believe the truth. Jesus is Lord.

We desire to live believing this truth not just because it is right. We desire to do this because it makes possible a life that works, a life that honors You, a life that reveals the beauty of the Gospel. It is as we believe this basic truth that we able to stand against the lies and, in this way, to encourage our brothers and sisters in the faith as well as to appeal to those who are far from You.

Father, we look forward to the day when every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord. There will be the saints who will do this very willingly, rejoicing as we do. But there will be the rest who still will do this but will hate every moment. But whether willingly or not, all will profess the truth and that to Your glory.

Father, we look forward to the day when we will be able to fully enjoy the Lordship of Jesus. No more lies to deceive us. No more battles to fight. Grant us the grace that we need to be faithful in these days and and to continue faithful until we arrive at that day. Through Christ our Lord, Amen.