Gracious heavenly Father, thank you for Your compassion

for the lonely,

oppressed,

and harassed people of the world.

 

You sent Jesus to seek and to save the lost,

but we confess our reluctance

to personally engage with His mission.

 

If we are honest, we are more

apathetic than active,

isolated than involved,

callous than compassionate,

obstinate than obedient,

legalistic than loving.

We struggle with a tight-fisted grip on

our careers,

our children,

our money,

our names

and our plans.

 

Have mercy upon us and forgive us.

By the power of Your indwelling Spirit,

remove all obstacles that prevent us

from living as Your ambassadors.

 

This we pray in Jesus’ strong name. AMEN.