True Life (Mark 8:35)

For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it - Mark 8:35

Lord Jesus, help us to know this mystery.

Help us not to seek our own life which is like the grass of the field, but only to seek Your Life which is everlasting and unchanging.

Heal our hearts so that we would want only what you want, and will only what you will.

Allow us to say with John the Baptist, "You must increase, and I must decrease.”

Teach us not to look to the world for validation, but only to You. Give us the boldness to speak the Truth even when it is unpopular.

Help us to exalt the life of our neighbor above our own life, and to exalt You above all.

Rebuke us in mercy when we go astray. Reveal to us our sins so that we may repent.

Come quickly Lord Jesus to judge this wicked world. Wash its evil away once and for all. Preserve the wheat and burn the chaff, both in the world and in ourselves.

Grant us the grace we need to faithfully carry out our mission, until you call us home.

Amen.

You are my hiding place;

you will protect me from trouble

and surround me with songs of deliverance

- Psalm 32:7