Father GOD,
First, I thank You for the ways in which You draw us into deeper and deeper conversation with You when we know that our minds are being challenged to pray in ways that seem enigmatic to us. We rejoice that You have given us Holy Spirit and “unknown” tongues that are attuned to Your perfect will when we move beyond praying with “understanding” to praying with the Spirit. You are ever-ready to receive our offerings and continue to renew our minds as we ingest the Scriptures to aid in our understanding of how YOU, DADDY “do things.” We also rejoice that it is Your goodness as the BEST DADDY in (and beyond) the universe) that leads us to repentance. Father, You know that sometimes in fear and anger, we are tempted to pray in ways that do not align with Your character. Too often, in our fallible judgment, wanting what we call “justice,” we attempt to weigh punishment with related crimes; and in indignation, we forget Your primary characteristic of unimaginable forgiveness. We may want revenge or “example” to “encourage” others not to repeat wrongdoings. However, Father, You lead us to our knees in repentance – changing the way we think – to the way YOU think. Thank You, Father, for being so good to us. Father, it is our hearts’ desire to pray in a way over our governmental officials that brings great increase to Your Kingdom. We desire to follow Your example in wanting ALL men (of course, including women and children) to be saved – to know You in the fullness of Your majesty and might. Continue to help us gain the insight, understanding, discretion, humility, grace and mercy that would serve You well. Let our words be pleasing and our actions filled with Your fruit. May there be a grand harvest, of souls we might find questionable, so that we, with the angels, rejoice at the furtherance of surrender to Your gospel. Father, we CHOOSE to harbor no animosity toward those with minds which have not been regenerated. We choose to bring water to the thirsty and freedom to the captives. Thank You, Holy Spirit, for being the power now resident in us that brought JESUS out of the wilderness in power and victory. We choose to look at denying ourselves as a privilege, with each step, each choice bringing honor to You alone. As complex as all the scheming and secrecy seems, we thank You that nothing escapes Your attention and nothing is beyond Your ability to work all things together for good to those who love You and are called according to Your purpose (some of whom are still in process of receiving and walking in that revelation. The only goodness we seek is continued transformation into Your likeness. We defer to Your omniscience while we seek You first and set our minds on things above, as we press toward the mark for the prize for Your high calling on each of our lives. May You be abundantly blessed as we continue to love You with all our hearts, minds, souls and strength. Amen.