O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is Your name in all the earth! We come before You today with praise in our hearts.

O Lord, we acknowledge that our actions and attitudes do not always reflect Your love and grace. Even when we do good, our attitudes are not what they should be. Sometimes, we have ulterior motives that are self-serving. While outwardly, we are engaged in worthwhile activities, we are simply going through the motions. Putting up a good front. Or worse, we expect accolades and recognition.

Guide us today, Lord, to live as You would have us to live. With outstretched hands to supply the needs of others. With hearts full of love. Fill our mouths with words of peace. Direct our steps in the paths of righteousness.

Help us not to play religious games engaging in “good deeds” just because it is the right thing to do. Remove from us any inclination to seek rewards for our efforts. Help us to mean it when we say, “I’ll go where You want me to go, dear Lord. I’ll say what You want me to say. I’ll be what You want me to be.”

With the psalmist, we pray, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me.”

Hear our prayer, O Lord, for we offer it in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Rev. Jamie Jenkins