O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you”:
Dear heavenly Father, from the beginning, you created us for life in a garden paradise—a life of revealing your goodness, truth, and beauty. Our calling hasn’t changed but our context has. We now live in a fallen world as broken people. But you are a God who is rich in mercy and abounding in grace. Through the gospel, you’ve forgiven all our sins, declared us righteous in Christ, and have re-deployed us to live as a people to the praise of the glory of your grace. What does this glorious gospel look like in everyday life?
“to do what is right,”
Father, thank you for saving us by Jesus’ perfect “goodness,” so that our goodness might simply be for our neighbor’s benefit, and not our anything. Intensify our love and joy for doing what is right—for doing the next gospel-thing. By your grace, make servanthood, sacrifice, and holiness a bouquet of beauty to us, and to our neighbors.
“to love mercy,”
And deepen our love for mercy, Father. Keep us ever mindful of your great mercy for us in the gospel. You didn’t give us what we deserve—judgment; instead, you gave us Jesus. Forgive us when we indulge an arrogant, irritated, critical spirit toward anyone.
Your mercy is also revealed by a life of advocacy for the poor, marginalized, and oppressed. Father, by the power of the gospel, make each of us more like the “good Samaritans”—with a heart of compassion and the generosity of the grace.
“and to walk humbly with your God.”
Walking humbly with you shouldn’t be difficult for us, Father, because we have a lot to be humble about. We love humility in others; cultivate much more of it in us. Help us keep our conscience under the gospel—so we’ll be convicted, not condemned. And grant us godly sorrow when we sin, quick repentances, and the joy of a deeper work of the gospel in our lives. So very Amen we pray, in Jesus’ exalted and loving name.
