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A Prayer for Grace to See Others, as They WILL Be

     I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joybecause of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. (Phil. 1:3-6)

     Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. (Luke 6:36) Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. (Col. 3:12-14)

     Dear heavenly Father, the promise of your inviolate commitment to complete the work of the gospel in my life brings me tremendous encouragement. For I can no more make myself like Jesus than I could’ve ever placed myself in Jesus. From beginning to end, salvation is of the Lord—it’s all of grace.

     But today, I want (need) to connect with this magnificent hope for others. Grant me grace to see other brothers and sisters in Christ, not simply as they are today, but as they will be, when Jesus returns to finish making all things new. For lately, it’s been easier for me to get irritated than to be patient, to judge than to be merciful, to curse (while seething on the inside) than to bless (outwardly and sincerely).

     I’d like to blame it on the heat and humidity; I’d like to call it discernment, rather than own it as disgust; I’d like to think it’s “righteous indignation,” when in reality, it’s self-righteous murder in my heart.

     Have mercy on me, Father. Have mercy on me, the sinner. I know that you have, and I know that you will; for even today, your steadfast love never ceases, your mercies never come to an end; for they are new every morning, including this morning. Great is your faithfulness.

     As the day begins, and continues, I choose to put on the garments of grace and avail myself of the resources of the gospel. Grant me power to love others as Jesus loves me. So very Amen I pray, in Jesus merciful and mighty name.

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