Oh that praying would be of first importance, and not our last resort!
Father, we confess that you are the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love you and keep your commandments. What a privilege for us to be drawn into friendship and eternal covenant with the Godhead, and this is only made possible through the sacrifice of your Son. We thank you for that sacrifice that speaks better things on behalf of your chosen people.
Lord, we are sorry that we have not been faithful to you and to your covenant. At times, we have ignored you entirely, at other times, we have extremely worked hard to earn a right standing with you in our own strength, using our sanctification as means for our justification. We have often trusted in ourselves and things that we have made instead of trusting in you. Father, it does feel as if we are in exile once again; we have transgressed your laws and turned aside, refusing to obey your voice. We are truly sorry.
We are experiencing agonising pain and suffering in our world. Civil unrests and wars, poverty and illiteracy; climate changes and a pandemic, and the list seems endless. The unprecedented dross, degradation and death are decimating humanity and marring your image bearers. We seek your favour amid these disasters that you have allowed, turning from our sins and giving attention to your truth.
As we are covered in shame, we come to be clothed in the perfect righteousness of your Son. Even though we have rebelled against you and not kept your laws, we know that you are merciful and forgiving. Will you please shine your light in full strength on the global church? With your sharp sword, come and renew us and restore us to the place of fervency and great delight in your Son. Open our ear to hear what the Spirit of your Son is saying to us and grant us strength that we might be faithful ambassadors of your eternal kingdom.
Lord, you are righteous in everything you do, we recount your past mercies through redemptive history. In keeping with all your righteous acts, please turn away your anger and your wrath from us. Our sins and our disobedience have made us objects of scorn. Please hear the prayers and petitions of your servants. For your sake, Lord, look with favour on the church. Give ear, our God, and hear; open your eyes and see the desolation in the world. We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy. Lord, listen! Lord, forgive! Lord, hear and act! For your sake, my God, do not delay, because your world and your elect bear your Name.
We cast our fears and burdens at your feet. In our restlessness, please grant us grace to be still and to know that you are God. In our unending demands, grant us peace and freedom to accept your timetable and your ways. In our waiting, please grant us a very real sense of your presence and goodness. Help us discern between the good and the best, between the eternal and the temporary, and may the gospel compel us to love mercy, work for justice, and walk humbly with you until the day we see your face. We look forward to that Day when every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord, but until that day, please give us oil in our lamps that we may patiently endure to the end.
Amen.
*An adaptation of Daniel’s prayer in Daniel 9.