Praying Psalm 86:5, 15  “You, O Lord, are good and ready to forgive, plenteous in mercy to all  those who call upon you.” “You Lord, are full of compassion, gracious, slow to anger and plenteous in mercy and truth.”

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

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

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

“gracious” (giving, blessing and valuing each other);

“full of mercy” (being kind, forgiving and positive to all around us).

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

“gracious” (giving and giving again, helping, thinking of how to support each other);

“slow to anger” (setting our hearts on things above, not on the passing things of earth, giving up our self-centered little, personal, petty goals, letting go of what is temporal, holding on to what is eternal);

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