Simplicity, Forgiveness, and Mercy

MERCIFUL Father! Thou delightest to answer our prayer. Take us at this time into communion with Thyself. Breathe into our hearts so that our human desires may be brought into harmony with Thy divine desire. Banish from us all pride, arrogance, and self-conceit; all insincerity and doubleness of mind or heart. Make us simple with the simplicity which is in Christ. May our desires, purged of all unworthiness, rise up before Thee as the incense, and, what Thou hast inspired within us, be pleased to accept and bless.

Set us free, O Lord, from the bonds of sense and outward things. Lift from off us the heavy weight of custom. May we no longer serve the traditions of men but obey Thy commandments with glad and willing hearts. Sanctify our sorrows. Let them not dull our minds or narrow our hearts; but do Thou work through them Thy holy ends and call us by them to a deeper knowledge and a larger vision. When the difficulties of the day try us, take from us all weak lamenting and inspire us with Thy strength to grapple with them, and to win from them a deeper trust in Thee. Consecrate all our work and service. Inspire us with a spirit of devotion and patience. May we seek not our own glory but to do Thy pleasure and to bring forth some fruit which may be to the praise of Thy grace. Grant that we may throw aside all sloth and self-seeking and learn the blessedness of an eager and sacrificial life. Bless us in our intercourse with our fellows. Quicken our hearts that we may be swift to hear our brother's cry from the pit of humiliation or of need. Give us the forgiving spirit, else how should we know ourselves forgiven by Thee? If any have wronged us, grant that we may bring to them Thy charity and win them to a better mind. If any are in disgrace or shame, outcasts from the world, make us Thy messengers of mercy, that we may share the pain, and by our love, which is also Thine, lead them back to Thy home and fellowship. May we be to all men Thy revealers and interpreters, bearing Thy appeal to the sinning, the sorrowful and the despairing. And this we would be and do, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.