Word of Encouragement (10/21/2022)

As we close out another week, let me share another evening prayer of John Baillie’s:

“O Lord, all human hearts lie revealed and open before you. Forbid that I should seek to hide from you anything that I have done or thought or imagined today. All these things that are hidden from others, let me know openly acknowledge in your presence. Let no false shame keep me from confessing the wrongs that proper shame should have kept me from committing.

“O Lord, whose tender mercies cover us all, humbly and sorrowfully I crave your forgiveness for the sins of this day [week]:

For every weakening and degrading thought that I have allowed to dwell in my mind;

For every hasty and thoughtless word;

For every failure of self-control;

For every stumbling block I have put in someone else’s way, whether by wrongdoing or bad example;

For every lost opportunity;

For lazy feet and a procrastinating will

For _____;

And _____;

And _____.

“Grant that as the days go by, your Spirit may more and more rule in my heart, giving me victory over these and other sinful ways.

“Into your loving care I commit all those who are dear to me, especially _____ and _____. Bless all those with whom I live and work and worship. Grant them a satisfying sense of your reality and power. Be with all those who are in danger or distress tonight. Be in every sore heart, every grief-stricken or broken home, and beside every sickbed giving to all the blessing of your peace. Amen.”

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