A Prayer for Perseverance
The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge. In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun. It rises at one end of the heavens and makes its circuit to the other; nothing is deprived of its warmth. The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul. The teachings of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. They are more precious than gold, they are sweeter than honey, by them your servant is warned, in keeping them there is a great reward. May these words of my mouth, and this meditation of my heart, be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.
Psalm 19:1-2,4,6,7-8,10-11,14
Heavenly Father,
We praise you for the ways in which you have weaved power and beauty in creation. We see your infinite nature in the vastness of the horizon, and your tender mercies in the afternoon breeze. We see your majesty on mountain peaks and your creative wisdom in the complexity of the human body.
Father, who else can claim to have knowledge as you do?
What human invention matches your intelligent design?
What artwork can rival the colours of your sunsets?
When we stop to consider the work of your hands, we can see that you are alone are God, and worthy of all our worship.
Father, though you have saved and adopted us into your great kingdom, we confess that we are distracted creatures who rebel against your throne. Although you promise us an eternity where every tear will be wiped away, we are fearful creatures who compromise to secure the “best life now”.
We confess that our hearts are prone to wander, and that we spend so much of our time bowing before the gods of success, relationships, comfort and pleasure—living anxious and frustrated lives because our kingdom didn’t come, and our will wasn’t done. Father forgive us. Help us to believe that your words and instructions are truly more precious than gold, and that living your way will refresh our soul and give joy to our hearts.
Give us hearts of love—for you, your gospel, the church and our world.
Give us courage to be your witness—in our relationships, studies, workplaces, hobby groups and digital spaces.
Give us conviction to let go of lifeless idols and to worship you even if it means going against the tide.
Give us humility to live in daily repentance, confessing sin and forgiving others as you have forgiven us.
Although we live in a world that encourages us to stand on our own two feet, help us to be a people who boast only in Jesus—our Lord, rock and redeemer.
In Jesus name,
AMEN.
