Pastoral Prayer for January 22, 2023

(Please allow the words of this prayer to become your own.)

Loving Provider,

Where am I lost in a wilderness of need, want, or being broken?

Show me, Lord.  I want to be found by you.

What about my past might I be idealizing,

or wasting time and energy longing for?

Help me to see the illusions that are robbing me of today.

Am I prone to complain even when you are providing for me?

Please show me how and when.

You provide so generously for me.

But some situations consistently trigger my doubts

about your provision for the future.

Show them to me.

Where does your generosity trigger my greed

instead of my greater generosity toward others?

Please, gracious Provider, help me to see the truth.

Help me to put on the mind of Christ.

Help me to grow more and more like him.

Loving Provider,

let this be the measure of my trust in you:

that what I want is what you want for me.

Thank you that you are with me on my journey,

with me every step of the way.

Help me to graciously receive your gifts,

put them to good use,

and rest – no matter what –

in your unfailing goodness.

Amen.