Father,
We live in a world
that can, at times, be harsh. Sometimes, it's other people who complicate our
lives. But then, at other times, it's just how the events of each day unfold.
And while much of the time, it's just a matter of a bit of inconvenience, there
are those times when we wished it was only a matter of inconvenience.
And yet, we know,
Father, that You are near to us as we make our way through this world. And You
are near to do us good. In fact, even in the harsh events of this life, You are
near to use those events to bring about much good, good for Your kingdom as well
as good for us.
So, Father, we would
simply ask that You would build up our faith so that when we hit those hard
spots, whether merely some inconvenience or something much worse, we would
trust You to act. Grant us the ability to turn to You, to make clear our needs
to You, so that, by Your grace, instead of being overwhelmed by what is going
on, we would be at peace.
Father, we are
asking for this not merely for our own sakes. We know that we live in a place
and a time where people are increasingly uninterested in listening to a
presentation of the Gospel. However, as their lives fall apart - and that is
increasingly the case for more and more people - if they could see our lives,
lives that aren't falling apart, they would come to us and ask how we do that.
That's when they will be willing to listen. So, for the sake of the spread of
the Gospel, for the sake of the honor of Your name, we ask that You would grant
our request. Grant us the grace to believe this part of the Gospel, especially
when we are tempted not to believe it. Grant us the ability to trust You in
every situation of life and thus to live well. Through Christ our Lord, Amen.