Beautiful Redeemer

^{Photo by Stefan Stefancik on Unsplash.}

Lord,

I bless you for precious Spirit dwelling within,

choosing me as your earthen temple to dwell.

I praise you for your healing

from the inside out,

establishing your pleasant boundaries around me.

You are the Sun of Righteousness

arising with healing on your wings,

taking me up in your life, joy, and peace,

as I continually relinquish control into your loving, capable hands.

You who set the captives free,

release prisoners from the darkness,

bind up the brokenhearted,

comforting those who mourn,

you who establish your favor

over the sick, weak, and broken.

You place upon me a garment of praise,

a ring upon my finger,

and I go forth, my heart leaping for joy

in your salvation, healing, and deliverance.

I bless you Lord for choosing me,

and I will follow you

beautiful Redeemer

who makes all things new.

Amen.

You Make Me Yours

^{Photo by Timothy Eberly on Unsplash.}

Abba,

I bless you for your mercy

that chose me in Messiah.

You plucked this rebellious heart out of the miry clay

and set my feet upon a solid rock.

Your salvation is once and eternal,

wondrous and powerful,

there is no way to freedom outside of your Son.

But even then I thought

to you I’ll come proving my worth and deeds

flexing my own strength,

puffed up and empty in my religious deeds,

Abba, you are long suffering and patient,

so kind to care —

to discipline and chastise those you love.

You pursue me,

break me and remake me,

taking me through the kiln,

I, an orphan, in mistaken identity,

with so much to prove.

You burn away my filthy rags and self righteous deeds

that fool no one but me.

I’m naked and bare

with nothing to bring

but a broken heart.

Your love and delight touch me now,

wretched me,

utterly wounded — lost, confused, and abandoned without you,

and I understand,

your salvation is my miracle every day,

once, today, ongoing, eternal,

just to be yours

an orphan no longer, but your child,

depending on you, leaning on you,

trusting you,

with nothing left to prove,

except that I’ve been redeemed, I’m celebrated, I’m seen.

Thank you,

you are such a good Abba,

salvation, deliverance, and all good things,

come from you alone,

and I bless you with all my heart.

Amen.

Refiner’s Fire

^{Photo by Ameen Fahmy on Unsplash.}

Lord,

I bless you for the safety and security of your presence,

tight and cozy around the warmth of your love.

Your warmth melts the ice of trauma encasing me,

allowing my heart to come forth and rise.

Emotions and feelings long buried and hidden away

no longer cast long shadows of hopelessness and overwhelm,

holding me in bondage and despair.

Now you invite them, acknowledge them, and say it’s ok,

setting me free in your knowing and love.

Locked away in my keeping,

they have only corroded me from the inside out,

Lord they won’t be my treasures and idols any longer,

I give them to you.

Take my heart as I step into the center of your love,

offering the sacrifice of my old broken self

surrendering all of me and my religion,

baptize with me with your fire,

and purify, transform, cleanse, and redeem me to gold —

the beauty and holiness of a spirit at rest,

full of joy and peace,

trusting, hoping in you.

I praise you for your grace and redemption.

Amen.