Lord, we thank you that we need not – indeed we dare not – try to bring any sacrifice for sin! Christ has atoned for the sins of His people, and the only sacrifice left to give is a “living” thanks offering – our very selves! By your mercy, fill us with eagerness and intentionality each day to present our bodies as holy and acceptable to you. Keep us molding to this world’s priorities. Mold us instead into people of sacred discernment.
A big part of discernment is not thinking more of ourselves than is warranted. Please give each one of us that sober judgment! Help us to see the way you’re asking each of us to serve and to do that with faith, humility, courage, generosity, zeal, and cheerfulness. Help us to trust you with all that we are and all that we are not.
Lord, grant that love would be genuine in our midst! Save our church from that form of outward piety that is all smiles and nods and then secretly bitterness and resentment! Teach us to “outdo one another in showing honor”! What a counter-cultural commitment! We are Americans – we don’t honor anyone unless they’ve earned it in our eyes! Help us instead to part ways with the aspects of our culture that are actually contrary to your Kingdom ethic.
Save us also from slothfulness or a lack of fervency. We can be so selfish with our time! Show us that life is short, and only what’s done for Christ and for others in Christ’s name will last. Stir us up from our consumeristic and comfort-addicted slumber!
Thank you that among the lifestyles that should define our living sacrifice, we find “rejoice in hope”. You would never have us serve you begrudgingly, or in despair, or without delight. Instead every gift given, every persecution endured, every blessing bestowed on those bent on cursing us…every such opportunity can lead to a fuller awareness of the treasure we possess, and a more certain confidence that the order of this world has already shifted decisively toward total victory of the good. Use this hope and this joy to fuel us in the times of sharing in sorrow, conflict, or affliction.
Remove from our hearts all contentiousness, all haughtiness, all bent toward vengeance, all temptation to fight in the same manner that the world fights its battles. May the peace and goodness of Christ truly emanate from our congregation, and let that be a pleasing aroma to you, our Savior and God!