“For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, and abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You….You, O Lord, are a God full of compassion, and gracious, long suffering and abundant in mercy and truth.”

Work in us that we may be like you, Lord God:

“good” (may we spot and reject our sinful tendencies);

“ready to forgive” (may we be as forgiving as you have been towards us);

“full of mercy” (may we be kind and positive to all around us).

“full of compassion” (may we thinking good of each other, seeking each other’s best, truly caring for each other);

“gracious” (may we be giving and giving again, helping, thinking of how to support each     other, blessing and valuing each other);

“long suffering, slow to anger” (may we set our hearts on things above, not on the passing things of earth, giving up our little, personal, petty goals, letting go of what is temporal, holding on to what is eternal);

“plenteous in mercy and truth” (may we have that balance of speaking truth with great mercy, keeping these in wonderful balance, in good intent, good method, good words, good attitudes).

May you be glorified in our lives today as we live this way in your grace and power. Amen