Praise be to you, my Lord and God, the Lover of my soul, the Redeemer of my life, the Ruler of all, the Author and Finisher of my faith. I exalt you for your Love, I extol you for your patience, I rejoice in you for your persistence, I revel in you for your forgiveness. I desperately need each of these every day.
I thank you that your love for me never wavers—for in human terms it should, as I think evil things, act out of negative, selfish motives, and indulge in greed, anger, impatience, unthankfulness and complaining.
Yet in your unquenchable love, you forgive, you carefully correct, you patiently wait for me to repent, and consistently seek to lead me in paths of righteousness. Thank you so much for your goodness to me, your care and unmerited favor, your kindness and power.
Thank you for your grace in revealing again my selfishness, impatience, anger and my setting my heart on earthly things, thereby setting myself up for disappointment, failure and rebellion against what you have allowed. Forgive me, although I do not deserve it.
Thank you for this answer to prayer for ongoing revival, by
–revealing more of my sinfulness,
–highlighting your graciousness, Love and goodness,
–bringing me to a deeper surrender in you.
I do not like the pain of it, but embrace it because you are at work there, doing what is best,
–leading me forward in the race you have set before me (Heb. 12:1,2),
–breaking me of trust in myself,
–deepening my trust in you,
–finishing my faith,
–giving me further opportunity to earn glory, honor and praise (1 Pet 1:6,7),
–teaching me to embrace whatever cross you have for me,
–helping me to despise whatever shame I or others would put on me,
–teaching us to find our joy in the hope you’ve given us for the future.
Praise you, Lord Jesus, for your faithful work of Shepherding us. Praise you Heavenly Father, for your faithful work of answering our prayers. Praise you, Holy Spirit, for your faithful work of convicting us of sin, teaching us about the God-head, glorifying Jesus and giving us wisdom.
To you, O Triune God, I bow afresh, to you I surrender, to you I commit myself again to praise you in and for all, offering the sacrifice of thanksgiving, boasting in my weakness.
To you I lift up my soul and praise you for the cleansing, strengthening and joy that you give me in the process. To you be honor and glory today in all I think and do.
