Jesus, forgive Your church. My heart grieves over how lost we've become. There are those who rejoice that the world hates us, yet it isn't because we are without fault like You were Lord. It's because we are at fault. The world hates us because we have been without love towards them or even worse towards one another. In Your Word you said "If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first. ..." But You did good while you were in the world. I know there are members of the Church that indeed ARE doing many good things. But the part of the Body in the Western world is lukewarm, self involved, compromising, legalistic, self-righteous, critical, judgmental and without love. They don't love themselves with the Love You've given us Lord! We need You!!! Forgive us Lord, we don't mean to be so ignorant in our ways. We think we're doing right, but without understanding our worth to You we have gotten it all mixed up.
We are a confused Body Lord. Please enlighten us with Your heart towards us that we may reflect Your Love towards others. Jesus, you never badgered, condemned, criticised or belittled the lost. You loved them into Your Kingdom. We need to be like You. Give our hearts compassion again Lord. Help us to forgive ourselves even so that we can extend that forgiveness outwards towards others. Help us to cover over offenses rather than to take them on. Humble our hearts towards Your heart Lord and give us eyes to see others as You see them. You love those who hate you Lord and we too must love those same people.
Forgive us Lord for our division. The world sees we are divided and how can they possibly believe we have any answers at all when we build our earthly sanctuaries right next door to eachother and are without fellowship?! God we have lost our way and taken a degree off course some time ago and now we are so far away from our original destination. Lead us back on course that we may be partakers and distributors of Your glory here on earth and advance Your Kingdom. Raise up Your people Lord to be a light in the world as You said we were to be! Draw us together and may the world see this unity growing.
If they are to hate us, let it be because we are a light that exposes the darkness, not because we offer them no hope. We need to point to You in love, unity, with moral excellence and integrity Lord. Help us to live lives of such love and goodness that You smile upon Your people and the world is affected by Your glory!
You have given us the Keys to Your Kingdom Lord, let us remember how to use them!
We are a confused Body Lord. Please enlighten us with Your heart towards us that we may reflect Your Love towards others. Jesus, you never badgered, condemned, criticised or belittled the lost. You loved them into Your Kingdom. We need to be like You. Give our hearts compassion again Lord. Help us to forgive ourselves even so that we can extend that forgiveness outwards towards others. Help us to cover over offenses rather than to take them on. Humble our hearts towards Your heart Lord and give us eyes to see others as You see them. You love those who hate you Lord and we too must love those same people.
Forgive us Lord for our division. The world sees we are divided and how can they possibly believe we have any answers at all when we build our earthly sanctuaries right next door to eachother and are without fellowship?! God we have lost our way and taken a degree off course some time ago and now we are so far away from our original destination. Lead us back on course that we may be partakers and distributors of Your glory here on earth and advance Your Kingdom. Raise up Your people Lord to be a light in the world as You said we were to be! Draw us together and may the world see this unity growing.
If they are to hate us, let it be because we are a light that exposes the darkness, not because we offer them no hope. We need to point to You in love, unity, with moral excellence and integrity Lord. Help us to live lives of such love and goodness that You smile upon Your people and the world is affected by Your glory!
You have given us the Keys to Your Kingdom Lord, let us remember how to use them!
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