Sunday 9 June 2024 Prayer

Sunday Prayer for the Chaplain + Deacon + Pastor

God,

You are forgiveness. I mean, it’s why you sent Jesus. You wrapped up all the love and mercy in the person of Jesus and sent him to forgive me and show me how to forgive. And sometimes it just makes me mad. Because the worlds gone mad. And ministering to and with people Is hard and sometimes I don’t think my heart can take it. Not one more day of it. I feel bound up and helpless and I’m really good at blaming and making excuses. My heart feels like it can’t do what you’ve called me to do. I get frustrated with the mechanism that is church and how it seems to demand so much of my time and energy and it can just take the life outta me. I get all bound up and judgy and self righteous and…and… oh. Please forgive me. Just help me lay it all down, even for just one moment. And realize it’s not all up to me, but it’s up to you. And you’re up for it. You’re wired for forgiveness. You even forgive me. And you, by the crazy power of your wily Holy Spirit, help me to even forgive myself. And then that opens me up to love myself. And then everything changes because you’ve changed me. Again.

Drop my mouth open in awe today, God. Help me be in awe of the way you show up in the people who love me most and best. And help me to love them back. Tamp down my fear, my self doubt, and fill me with your love. It’s what matters the most. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Amen.

Take a deep breath, dear deacon, dear pastor, dear chaplain. For your labor in the Lord is not in vain. Don’t be afraid. God is with you.