A prayer based on 1 Peter 2:9-10.

<aside> 🙏🏻 Great Shepherd of the sheep, We thank You that You have called each us of by name and have brought us into Your flock. We thank You for this unbelievable grace You have shown to us. You have chosen us in Christ and made us into new creations. You have called us out of darkness and into Your marvellous light. You have shown us mercy and set us apart to be Your holy people. You have showered us with Your love, and we can know that whatever life may bring, nothing can separate us from it. We don’t deserve Your goodness. We don’t deserve to be part of this chosen race, royal priesthood, holy nation, people that are Your personal possession. Yet through faith in Christ alone, that is what we are. Help us to remember this and to act in ways that show what You have declared us to be.

As those who are priests, may we be faithful in praying for one another and for those in this community You have placed us. May we be faithful in speaking Your Word to another, reminding one another of the gospel which saves us and sanctifies us.

As those who are holy, help us to live lives worthy of the calling we have received. To be holy as You our God are holy. To be increasingly devoted to Your will and ways by following the example of the Lord Jesus.

As those who are Your possession, Holy Spirit, increase our confidence that no-one and nothing can snatch us out of the hands of our Father in heaven and His Son. Help us not to be anxious about what people think of us and might do to us, especially as we seek to reach out with the good news of the Lord Jesus. May we declare His praises by our lips and by our lives. Gives us boldness to open our mouths and tell others about Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection which brings salvation to all who repent of their sins and trust in Him.

And as those who have received mercy, we pray that we would show mercy. Put to death in us our pride and feelings of self-righteousness. Help us to be patient with each other. Enable us to forgive others remembering how much You have forgiven us – to offer forgiveness not just seven times but seventy times seven.

Lord, would we, as a local church, be more and more the people You have made us to be, and so, bring glory to Your holy Name.

Amen.

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