Yesterday, I reached in the letter box down at DC Books to Prisons and opened up a book request from an inmate. Usually, they are fairly straightforward, but this one definitely took me by surprise. Ray’s prayer at the end is simply amazing:
Prayer:
In Jesus’ Name, I make a fresh & strong commitment today to live the life of love, to let the tenderness of God flow through me & heal the wounded hearts of those I meet.
Father, teach me to love even when things go wrong. To be patient & kind when the children are underfoot. To overlook the spiteful words of an angry spouse. To rejoice when someone at the office gets the raise that I thought I needed. Teach me to talk in love, to lay gossip quietly aside & to take up words of grace instead.
Lord, Your Word says that Your love is already inside me… So today, I put resentments behind me, & I forgive all those who’ve done me wrong.
In the days ahead, cause me to increase & excel & overflow with Your love. Cause me to be what this world needs most of all… A living example of love. AMEN.
-Ray R.
Ad Astera Per Aspera 