22 February, 2024
But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light. Once you had no identity as a people. Now you are God’s people. Once you received no mercy, now you have received God’s mercy. – 1 Peter 2:9-10
Abba Father, we lower our heads in humble adoration and with joyful acclamation in our hearts, sing out our unreserved praise and glory of your Holy Name, realising that, by acknowledging Jesus as our Savior and Redeemer, we have been raised by adoption to sonship and a rich inheritance in your Heavenly Kingdom. You have given us the status of your elect and pure, righteous and sanctified beings and we have the responsibility of conforming according to the unmerited graces received by you. We are no longer ourselves, but are now living and abiding in Christ our Lord.
Lord, you have segregated and created a whole and Holy Nation of believers, called to live by Jesus’ standards as we propagate the values of your Kingdom to those who are yet to be encircled by your mercy and enveloped by your love. Thus conformed to be citizens of heaven, we declare our faithfulness to you and declare and proclaim your goodness and benevolence to all peoples of the world. For we are clothed in your grace and sure by our faith that we no longer live, but that Christ lives in us, and we crave to spread your Holy Promises for the benefit of all our brethren.
Father, we are no longer in darkness or bondage, but you have released us into the Power of your light and grace and as the congregation of the blessed, the body of Christ, through the Church built by him, we go forth, spreading the mission of your Heavenly Kingdom. We endeavor fervently to awaken our brothers and sisters in Christ, to the astounding realization that we belong to you and are purposed and have the power and blessing to let others see and recognise the Light of your Truth. Help us to be true and holy disciples of Christ, endowed with the blessing to be a blessing to others, for the glory of your Name. Father, give us understanding of the benefits you have given us through this divine calling, in Jesus’ Name. Amen
