MATTHEW 5:1-12
LORD JESUS, OUR SAVIOR,
LET US LISTEN WITH OPEN HEARTS TO THE WORDS PROCLAIMED IN THIS MORNINGS’ GOSPEL. MAY YOUR WORDS LEAD US TO A NEW WAY OF LIFE. WAY OF LIFE CENTERED ON COMPASSION, HUMILITY AND WORKING TO BRING GLORY TO YOU. THE CONDITIONS OF THE BEAUTITUDES CAN BE DIFFICULT IN A WORLD THAT VALUES A LIFE THAT IS SET APART FROM YOU. WE ASK THAT YOU GIVE US THE STRENGTH TO TURN OUR LIVES OVER TO YOU COMPLETELY, TO FOLLOW YOUR LEAD AND TO BE OF LIKE CHARACTER SO THAT WE CAN WALK THE PATH AND BE THE PERSON GOD INTENDED US TO BE. SHOW US HOW:
TO LIVE WITH MORE OF YOU AND LESS OF OURSELVES;
TO EMBRACE THOSE WHO OUR STRUGGLING AND SHOW MERCY;
TO BE SATISFIED WITH THE BLESSINGS YOU PROVIDE AND NOT TO SEEK THE DESIRES OF THE WORLD;
TO FORGIVE OTHERS AND TO EMBRACE YOUR FORGIVNESS THAT WASHES OVER OUR SINS;
TO BRING PEACE TO THIS WORLD; AND
TO STAND STRONG IN FAITH NO MATTER THE PERSECUTION THAT MAY COME.
GIVE US STRENGTH AND LET US SHOW THE WORLD YOUR LOVE THROUGH OUR WORDS AND ACTIONS. MAY WE PROCLAIM LOUDLY THE BLESSINGS OF YOUR GRACE.
AND ALL GOD’S CHILDREN SAY,
AMEN