“The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives:” Galatians 5:22
Lord Jesus, I wish the Spirit’s fruit were like zucchini—easy to grow, and always plenty to share. Please grow a bumper crop of these delicacies in our hearts this summer.
Love – Renew us in your every-dimension love (Eph. 3:18-19), that we may love others as you love us (John 13:34-35).
Joy – Grant us a joy that transcends our circumstances, sabotages our excuses, and turns our worries into worship.
Peace – May your peace tame our anxieties and shrink our fears.
Patience – Jesus, enable us to see your heart and hand at work in all things and people. Free us from our controlling, rigid, grumpy ways.
Kindness – There’s no justification for us ever being curt, rude, and harsh.
Goodness – We’re not saved by our works, but for a life of good works. Order our heart and hands accordingly.
Faithfulness – Forgive us when we make promises lightly, and fail to follow through on stuff.
Gentleness – Gentle our rough edges, edgy words, and tart reactions. Grow a non-anxious, kind spirit within us—one that embraces conflicts as a part of life.
Self-control – Whether our default mode is workaholism or couch-potato-ness, OCD-ness about food, or “carbs-make-me-happy,” may we live at grace’s pace, and by heaven’s wisdom and Gospel-values, for our neighbor’s good.
We can’t grow this fruit; but you can, will, and are. Make us more like yourself, Jesus. Hallelujah, and Amen.
