Opening Prayer
Powerful, Embracing God, it’s hard to place my weakness in Your hands. I want to bring You my successes. But You have humbled me that I might learn to depend on Your awesome strength and faithful love. Your grace is more than sufficient, even though I want to be self-sufficient and sometimes get scared. Continue to breathe Your Spirit into me to free my heart. Brighten the hardened cynicism of my face and soften my obstinate heart. Empower me not to take people for granted, especially the ones I am closest to. Let not familiarity breed contempt. The people of Nazareth were not open to the specialness, wisdom and power of Jesus because they thought they knew him so well. Help us not miss the mystery of the special people who are most familiar in my life. Yes, brighten my hard face and soften my obstinate heart with a smile at the surprises I’ve taken for granted. Keep me open to your presence in familiar and mysterious people and places. Heal me today, Gentle, Powerful Jesus!
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