THANKFUL

Good morning, Jesus

Our Father, in Heaven. Holy is your name. Your name is holy because Your name represents all the authority and power of the universe that You possess. We honor and respect who You are, Lord God, since Your attributes are sovereign over all creation. You are all powerful, all knowing. There is nowhere in creation where You are not present. Your wisdom is perfect. Your righteousness is holy. Your justice is true. Your holiness can never tolerate any sin whatsoever, regardless if we call it a big sin or little sin. All sin must be punished by Your holy wrath. In Your holy love for us, You poured out Your holy wrath against sin on sinless Jesus, but who willingly bore the brunt of Your wrath that should have been on us for our sin. Your mercy is holy to those who call upon You and believe what Jesus did for us. Your grace is holy. Knowing all You’ve done for us, may we always speak Your holy name with respect. Yes, You are our abba Father, but You are also our holy God. Your inexpressible love for us is holy. And in humility, for those who have placed their faith in Jesus, according to Your holy Word, You call us holy (2 Timothy 1:9), not because of what we did, but because of what You did.

Give comfort and peace for the families and friends of the 300 plus Christians slaughtered over the past three weeks in Africa and Mali by Islamic extremists. Give Christians the courage to boldly speak the truths of Your Word and share the grace You offer to all who call upon You. Bless and protect Your followers around the world who are being persecuted for their faith. Strengthen those wrongly imprisoned in hostile countries for speaking the love of God poured out for the world through Jesus Christ. We see western societies beginning to persecute believers, trying to stop Your message. Give all Your followers the courage to live out their faith publicly and thus honor You.

Forgive our sins. Heal our nation. In Your holy name, Jesus, Amen