2022-12-06 A Prayer: Modesty of Purpose

O Lord, grant modesty of purpose, reminding us to be lead and inspiration to others. Grant that we do this in ways more basic and simple than what we might dream up. For example, our invincible fruit, call it chastity, call it generosity, call it peacemaking, is no reason to forget that others face trials.

Help us to know a plain place of very simple opportunity. Help us desire to teach, not to those uninstructed, but to the forgetful one in each of our own hearts. Remind us of the role of a prayer spoken, a blessing of greeting, a story, a product of these our hearts reborn.

See us reborn, capable and loved; see us awakened to a warmth or generosity or simple place, that is only possible when we put sin second to blessedness. It is only possible when we dare face the hustle and the destruction, end of “obvious” holiness, end of “patent” self-righteousness. Help us tease out simple lines of repentance, in that baptismal abundance of plain invite and plain belonging. See as plain areas of temptation, zones of uncontrollable falling away, lead to us, against the ropes, lifted up by You. See You, our enabler and empowering Spirit. See us recognize temptation, in the haste to sin, in the haste to warmth, no longer found in community, but in our private world, so as not to fall away corporally. But too, help us just to speak out in community and identify and love the game of dwelling post-sin, granting all manner of sins if only their legitimization will draw us closer to Your peaceful restoration, and parables of Your sensitive side. See us at late hour, enchanted, enthralled, verbal and listening in gratitude and all manner of holy companionship.

We pray all this in Your Name, Amen.