Lord of All, we struggle with the expansiveness of your call and care. If only you would command us to love only those like us, or those we already love, or those who can reciprocate our service. But instead, throughout the witness of Scripture, you say: ALL. I will make you a blessing to all nations. Be good stewards of all creation. Honor all people. Such generosity of heart and spirit defies our human failings and finitude. We confess that we limit the scope of our concern, make excuses for our miserly compassion and justify our need to preserve ourselves even when our behavior injures others. We are stunned that you sent your only Son to forgive all of us of all we have done and left undone, your grace unlimited, unbounded, incomprehensible.
May your relentless will to be in relationship with us no matter the cost and your desire for us to be reconciled to you and one another beckon us outward — toward you, toward our neighbors. We urgently need the Holy Spirit’s guidance to give us the words to speak and the ears to hear your deeds of power until we all understand your will. We desperately need the Savior’s presence in the midst of us to show us the way, to reveal the Truth, to be the life abundant for all and forever. We know, Almighty God, that we cannot be your witnesses to all the world until we remember our place, trust your promises and recognize your power to do with us far more that we can hope or imagine.
In humility and with confidence, we offer you all that we are to you. Make of us whatever you will, for the sake of the gospel, in the name of the One who came to save us all. Amen.
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