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A Prayer about Weakness, Grumpiness and Grace

     But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 2 Cor. 12:9

Dear heavenly Father, I begin this day humbled and repentant. I extend my empty hand to you trusting you to give me some of the same sufficient grace you gave Paul. Not only do I need your grace for owning and boasting in my weaknesses, but I need your grace so that I will stop despising weaknesses in others. I’ve had the attitude of a grumpy toddler, the self-righteous elder brother in Luke 15, and a serial killer in my heart. Like every day, I need the gospel today.

Though I’d love to justify myself, there is no such justification. I’m a selfish man who would love for everything and everyone to work in concert to give me an undisturbed, enjoyable, predictable life. Too often, I assume the right to green lights at every intersection, an open cash register when I’m ready to check out, and that the fish will be biting anytime I put a bait in the water.

What is worse, there are times when I don’t want people to fear the stuff they should fear, struggle with the same things I struggle with, or simply be the normal sinners that we all are. God, have mercy on me, the sinner. I am humbled to realize you never get irritated, annoyed or resentful of me.

Abba, Father, I’m so thankful that your love for me is steadfast and that I can count on new mercies every morning—including this morning, and all day long. I not only grieve my attitude, I do repent and abandon myself to the resources of the gospel.

Lord Jesus, I want and I need your power to rest on me and to settle my restless heart. I’ll not pray about next week or even tomorrow; just give me the manna of gospel kindness for this one day. Help me to respond gently and not react rigidly to the weaknesses of others. Help me to roll up my sleeves and not roll my eyes, when I meet brokenness, fragility and fear in others. Help me to love as you love me, for that is the bottom line and the top priority. So very Amen I pray, in your powerful loving name.

 

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