Into Your Hands - A Prayer for Today

Luke 23:46a Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” (NIV)

Lord, do You have a moment?

I need to speak to You.

I’m worried about the world

And anxious about the future.

I don’t know where we’re headed

Or what’s going to happen.

There’s a lot of hatred

And it’s impacting my faith.

I’ve never known such turmoil,

So I’m concerned for the Church,

Society, and the World.

You see, Lord,

I think I am a Christian,

But I also see so much

Bitterness coming from other folks

Whose faith in You

Is meant to be the same as mine.

I don’t understand

Where this is coming from,

How it got here,

And where it will end up.

So I’m confused about my faith, Lord,

And need Your help to sort this out

In my heart, mind, and soul.

Lord, I only have

This moment called Life

And this space called Earth.

I want to do what’s right

And make this world

A better place

And not a bitter planet.

I want to spread Your love

And not shred other lives.

Lord, I want to be Christian,

A real one, not a religious one.

A true one, not a tormented one,

A faithful one, not a fake one.

Lord, thanks for giving me

This personal moment.

Into Your hands,

I commit my spirit,

My questions,

And my struggle.

Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. You can read the church website at www.erinpresbyterian.org. You can also contact John by email at Traqair@aol.com.