You hold the key to our hearts

When I hesitate, help me not to falter or to hesitate with what You have given me to do, for when I hesitate I give ground to the enemy. Free me from trying to carry responsibilities that are not mine to carry, and from avoiding those which are. Lord, free us from judgmental thoughts and assumptions, that trap us and others in unhelpful patterns of behaviour. Keep us from the pitfalls of pride and peer-group pressure. Confront our selfishness and purify our motives. Forgive the hard thoughts we harbour against those who do not readily think well of us; especially those who are in a position of authority or influence over us. Judge of all men, Fountain of Forgiveness, we lay down our prejudices and our judgemental criticisms. May the grace of the Holy Spirit set us free from ingrained responses which harden our attitudes. Break open such relationships as have become imprisoned in bitterness or deadened by years of mutual non-respect. Judge of all men, Fountain of Forgiveness, be glorified in giving us new ways of thinking and loving. Where my focus has shrunk and I have become obsessed with my own concerns, broaden my horizons again. We yield ourselves afresh to You, Lord; our hopes and dreams, our lives and reputations. You hold the key not only to our hearts, but to every situation that we will ever face. Lead us out to bless the people, and the nations that You would have us pray for – for this is the work of Heaven and joy to our soul. We give them all to You, because we love You with all the love of our heart. May the blood of Jesus cleanse and cover us, our loved ones, and all who seek to follow You.