Prayers for Living

 

Agape-ing, Loving, lavish God, You stretch our lives in ways that will never return to the original shape.  We confess that others too often push and pull the threads of our lives.  We confess that we get flusters and flummoxed by the Sermon on the Mount, throw up our hands, and turn back to the “gospels of the world” because it is easier and safer.  We confess that no amount of information can lead to our transformation.  We confess that “We do not think ourselves into new ways of living, we live ourselves into new ways of thinking.” (Richard Rohr).  And we cannot do this alone.  Help us, God.  Help us find ways of loving that evolve and expand each day.  Infuse and inspire us, call us to love in ways that the world may never accept or adopt.  Let the Jesus ethic, words of wisdom continue to nudge and needle at us in holy ways.  For the insights, for the frustrations, for the times we want to give up, guide us with grace and remember us that You are with us.  All this we pray in the name of the One who shows and shares agape-like affection with us every day, Jesus the Christ. Amen.