Because of Jesus (A Sunday Morning Prayer)

Heavenly Father,

Because of Jesus, our prayers for forgiveness reach Your ears.
Because of Jesus, You not only hear those prayers, but are moved to answer them.
Because of Jesus, our sin along with its guilt and shame have all been washed away.

Though we were crimson,
because of Jesus we are white as snow.
Though we could not rid ourselves of it,
because of Jesus, You have removed it as far as the east is from the west.

Because of Jesus, we need not fear any condemnation from any one, for there is no condemnation in Him.
Because of Jesus, we call You Abba, Father.
Because of Jesus, we have been called to be Your sons and daughters.

Not because we deserved it.
Not because we try to be good.
Not because we have potential,
or strength,
or wisdom.
Not because of our successes.
Because of Jesus. Only Jesus.

In Him we live and move and have our being.
In Him we have forgiveness of sin.
In Him we have been declared righteous.
In Him we have been sealed as His own by the Holy Spirit,
who unites us to Him,
gives us all His benefits,
and works in us, transforming us through His power to will and to act according to His good purpose; that we might be transformed into His image and likeness,

having His love,
His mercy,
His compassion,
His wisdom,
His humility,
His devotion to His Father,
His Church, and His mission.

All authority in heaven and on Earth has been given to You, Jesus, and You have given us Your power and authority to work with You in the building of Your kingdom, proclaiming the good news of Your victory over sin and death to people both near and far, high and low, rich and poor.

As we share the good news of Your victory and the invitation to enjoy the benefits Your kingdom brings:
may we do so with joy,
may the way we live, love, work, and play witness to the truth of the message we proclaim.

Give us boldness to bring Your light into the dark,
Your healing to the broken,
Your hope to the hopeless.

May we not only speak of Jesus, but be His hands and feet, to those around us.
May we not only speak of the power of prayer but be powerful in prayer.
May we not only know Your Word but do what it says.
May we be obedient to go, and to do, and to say
whatever You would have us do,
wherever You would have us go,
and to whomever you would have us speak.
May we come alongside those in prayer, encouragement, and support of those who are able to go where we cannot, who serve in places around the world.
May we remember our missionaries,
intercede for them,
and pray for the people they serve.

As we pray for our nation and its leaders may we do so honestly, earnestly, in the power and direction of Your Spirit. Yet remind us Father, that Your kingdom is here and will come into its fullness regardless of whether this nation and its leaders follow You or not. Your kingdom is founded on what Jesus did, not on what our leaders do—be it good or bad.

Father, Jesus, Spirit, we love You with all our being.
We submit ourselves,
our possessions,
our hopes and dreams,
and our lives to You.
For we have tasted and seen that the Lord is good,
and know that His love is better than life.
One day in Your court is better than a thousand elsewhere.
And we rejoice that the day is coming when we will have an eternity of days with You in that place.

Amen.