10 March, 2021
He takes away every branch in me that does not bear fruit, and every one that does he prunes so that it bears more fruit. – John 15:2
Heavenly Father, in gratefulness we offer our oblations of what is acceptable in your sight and will win your favor. We offer our humble and contrite hearts to you Lord, hearts touched, purified and transformed by your Holy Spirit, that sing of your glory and steadfastness, that are open and willing to act in accordance with your Holy Will, that are true and righteous, as our Savior Jesus has made them, by sanctifying us with his most precious blood, and atoning for our sins.
Lord, your healing and saving grace is available to us freely and in abundance and all you ask is obedience, love and faithfulness in carrying out what your will dictates by steering clear of evil practises. We can achieve this only by cleaving to you and growing closer to your perfection by keeping your commandments. We grow spiritually stronger, in communion with you, with faith in your life-giving word.
Lord, we need the constant comfort and assurance that only one who is truly living your doctrines can get access to. For those believers who undergo persecution and tribulation, and emerge with a stronger and deeper faith, whose lives of purity in prayer and piety set them apart, will receive your favor.
But those who merely profess their faith outwardly, showing no signs of grace, will be identified and cut off because of their falsehood and hypocrisy. Help us Lord, to be among the just elect, who have been pruned in faith and have endured, arising with immutable belief and transcending all obstacles by abiding in you, in Jesus’ Name. Amen