Heavenly Father I praise You for accepting and loving us even when we are weak and fail so often. I praise You that You trust us to help with building Your kingdom when You know our wisdom is so limited. I praise You for making us a part of Your plan and creating us with a purpose in mind. Heavenly Father I praise You most for being the I am.
Holy Spirit, walk with me through the last part of Romans 12 that Paul was inspired by You to write. “Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. Therefore “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” [Romans 12:17-21]
Holy Spirit it is my sinful nature that has taught me to hate, to seek revenge, not to take anything from anyone, but that is not Your way. Your way is to demonstrate love, to show compassion, to give people the benefit of the doubt. I am no longer in control of my life I am Yours. If I am truly Yours then You are the one who protects me, You are the one defends me and You are the one sees a much bigger picture than I do. Help me to be more focused on peoples needs, even if they are and enemy, instead of focusing on their faults, their past sins. Help me to stand true to my convictions, strong on Your principles, steadfast in my faith and humble enough to pray continuously so that I am not overcome by evil. Help me to live my life as a living sacrifice for You so that I overcome evil around me with good. Help me to hold onto the three pillars of Christ’s ministry: love, hope and faith.
Holy Spirit I praise You for staying with me as I prayed through Romans 12 to make it more a part of my life. Help me to continue to glean, lean into and apply all of this part of Paul’s inspired writing. In Jesus’ name, Amen.