Lord Jesus, we are silly sheep who have dared to stand before you

    and try to bribe you with our preposterous portfolios.

Suddenly we have come to our senses.

We are sorry and ask you to forgive us.

Give us the grace to admit we are ragamuffins,

   to embrace our brokenness,

   to celebrate your mercy 

        when we are at our weakest,

    to rely on your mercy no matter what we may do.

Dear Jesus, gift us to stop grandstanding and trying to get attention,

    to do the truth quietly without display,

    to let the dishonesties in our lives fade away,

    to accept our limitations,

    to cling to the gospel of grace,

    and to delight in your love.

 

Brennan Manning, 1934-2013, American author, laicized priest, and speaker

 

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So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. 

There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.