Lord Jesus,
I come before You, a soul torn between striving and surrender
trying to live right, trying to be holy,
yet often missing the heart behind the law.
You remind me that mercy is greater than sacrifice,
that compassion weighs more than ritual.
Forgive me for the times I have clung to rules
and forgotten love.
For when I judged others harshly,
while my own heart was cold and broken.
Teach me to walk in mercy,
to seek Your heart above all else.
You bore the rejection of those who accused You,
who twisted Your words and plotted against You.
I know that pain the sting of being misunderstood,
the loneliness of standing for truth in a hostile world.
Give me strength to endure, Lord.
Help me to respond with grace, not anger;
to bless, not curse.
You warned that our words hold power
the tongue can bring life or death.
Lord, my words have often wounded and betrayed.
Cleanse my mouth, fill it with Your truth,
make it a vessel of healing and encouragement.
You declared that Your works come by the Spirit of God,
that the kingdom You bring cannot be divided.
Help me discern Your Spirit’s voice in the chaos,
to stand firm in the power of Your presence.
Jesus, I want to be known by the fruit I bear
love, kindness, humility, and truth.
Not by empty words or shallow deeds.
Shape me into Your image
a reflection of Your mercy and power.
When darkness tries to accuse me,
when the world rejects me,
hold me close and remind me
that I belong to You.
No weapon formed against me shall prosper,
for You are my refuge and my strength.
Lord, break the hardness in my heart.
Fill me with Your Spirit.
Teach me to live by mercy, to speak words of life,
and to walk boldly in Your power.
I surrender all my fears, my failures, my pride
to You, the One who heals and restores.
Let Your kingdom come in me,
and Your will be done in my life.
In Your mighty and merciful name, Jesus. Amen.