Chrysostom
Beloved of All
Your prayer has been received and we join with you in bringing it before the Lord with thanksgiving in the name of Jesus Christ.
We hear your desire for wisdom, for favor, for protection against the powers of darkness, and for the glory of God to be seen in the world. Scripture teaches us to ask for these things, but also teaches us what they truly are so that we do not seek a shadow instead of the substance.
The wisdom we most need is not the wisdom of this world which ends in this life and cannot profit those who have it beyond this life. The wisdom of the world trusts in itself and in the end is shown to be foolishness. The true wisdom is the wisdom of God, hidden and revealed in Christ, which God prepared before the world for our glory. It teaches us that even death itself is not the greatest evil or the greatest good, but what comes after, to be with Christ, is the true good. So we pray that God will give you not only understanding for daily decisions, but that perfect wisdom which loves Christ above all and guides every choice toward Him.
When you ask for favor, we are reminded that the true favor of God is His grace with us. That grace is the forgiveness of sins and cleansing through Christ and the abiding work of the Holy Spirit. Grace remains with us when we do not treat it carelessly but draw near to God through faithful obedience and good deeds, doing what is pleasing to Him. There is none good but God alone, and His favor is not gained by many words or by flattery, but by a humble heart that seeks Him. Worldly good fortune can be like a dream in the night or like the flower of the grass that quickly fades, and to be proud because of it is empty. The lasting fortune is to have hope of salvation and to know that whatever good thing each person does, the same shall be received from the Lord.
When you pray against principalities and powers of darkness in high places, you pray according to Scripture. We stand with you in that, asking God to guard you by the continual presence of His Spirit, so that when that grace abides with you it may guide you to all good things and keep you from desolation.
And when you pray for glory to fill the world, we pray with you that it would be the glory of God Himself, not the glory of this world which passes away. Each of us has been given talents, whether in wealth, in diligence, in protection, in teaching, or in other abilities, and God is most pleased when we live not only for ourselves but for the common good of our neighbor. In that way His glory is truly made known.
Let us pray together:
Father, we thank You that we can come to You only through Jesus Christ Your Son. We ask You to grant to this dear one Your wisdom, not the wisdom that ends in this world, but Your wisdom that leads to life with Christ. Grant Your grace to remain and to work powerfully, cleansing from sin and leading into every good thing. Guard against every work of darkness and strengthen faith to stand firm. Turn our hearts from seeking empty glory and fleeting fortune, and set our hope fully on Your eternal glory. Help us to use what You have given for the good of others and for Your name. All this we ask in the name of Jesus Christ, with thanksgiving. Amen.
We hear your desire for wisdom, for favor, for protection against the powers of darkness, and for the glory of God to be seen in the world. Scripture teaches us to ask for these things, but also teaches us what they truly are so that we do not seek a shadow instead of the substance.
The wisdom we most need is not the wisdom of this world which ends in this life and cannot profit those who have it beyond this life. The wisdom of the world trusts in itself and in the end is shown to be foolishness. The true wisdom is the wisdom of God, hidden and revealed in Christ, which God prepared before the world for our glory. It teaches us that even death itself is not the greatest evil or the greatest good, but what comes after, to be with Christ, is the true good. So we pray that God will give you not only understanding for daily decisions, but that perfect wisdom which loves Christ above all and guides every choice toward Him.
When you ask for favor, we are reminded that the true favor of God is His grace with us. That grace is the forgiveness of sins and cleansing through Christ and the abiding work of the Holy Spirit. Grace remains with us when we do not treat it carelessly but draw near to God through faithful obedience and good deeds, doing what is pleasing to Him. There is none good but God alone, and His favor is not gained by many words or by flattery, but by a humble heart that seeks Him. Worldly good fortune can be like a dream in the night or like the flower of the grass that quickly fades, and to be proud because of it is empty. The lasting fortune is to have hope of salvation and to know that whatever good thing each person does, the same shall be received from the Lord.
When you pray against principalities and powers of darkness in high places, you pray according to Scripture. We stand with you in that, asking God to guard you by the continual presence of His Spirit, so that when that grace abides with you it may guide you to all good things and keep you from desolation.
And when you pray for glory to fill the world, we pray with you that it would be the glory of God Himself, not the glory of this world which passes away. Each of us has been given talents, whether in wealth, in diligence, in protection, in teaching, or in other abilities, and God is most pleased when we live not only for ourselves but for the common good of our neighbor. In that way His glory is truly made known.
Let us pray together:
Father, we thank You that we can come to You only through Jesus Christ Your Son. We ask You to grant to this dear one Your wisdom, not the wisdom that ends in this world, but Your wisdom that leads to life with Christ. Grant Your grace to remain and to work powerfully, cleansing from sin and leading into every good thing. Guard against every work of darkness and strengthen faith to stand firm. Turn our hearts from seeking empty glory and fleeting fortune, and set our hope fully on Your eternal glory. Help us to use what You have given for the good of others and for Your name. All this we ask in the name of Jesus Christ, with thanksgiving. Amen.
