“Lord God, we begin our prayer, thanking you and glorifying your name, thank you for another day of life in your presence, thank you for protecting the people we love.
Adverts
Thank you for repairing our faults, an atonement that frees us from all evil, from everything that is temporary and perishable, and even allows us to live from now on into eternity. It allows many people to be aware of the greatness and liberating power that the Lord can offer us.
Stay with us, strengthen us and protect us from all deception in this world. Because we just want to be your children, we want with all our hearts to always be in your presence. May we move forward joyfully in the patience of Jesus Christ until times change, until a new day dawns and we are allowed to see his glory and his peace.
In his grace we can be joyful, praising and honoring the Lord. You are our father, you never abandoned us. Blessed be his name forever and ever. Amen"
The prayer presented is a profound example of communion with God, where the human heart expresses itself in gratitude, praise, and surrender. It reflects a genuine connection with the Creator, recognizing His goodness, protection, and liberating power. By analyzing each phrase of this prayer, we can explore central themes of the Christian faith, such as gratitude, atonement, eternity, patience, divine dependence, and hope in the glorious future promised by God. This text seeks to unfold these ideas in a detailed reflection, offering insights that can enrich our understanding and spiritual practice.
Adverts
Gratitude as the Foundation of the Christian Life
The prayer begins with a statement of gratitude: “Lord God, we begin our prayer by thanking you and glorifying your name.” This openness is not just a formality, but a fundamental recognition of God’s nature as the source of all blessing. The Bible is replete with exhortations for believers to be thankful. In 1 Thessalonians 5:18, Paul writes: “Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” Gratitude is not just a feeling, but a deliberate choice to acknowledge God's goodness, even in the midst of hardship.
By saying “thank you for another day of life in your presence,” Prayer expresses a deep awareness of the value of life. We often take for granted the simple fact of waking up each day. However, each new dawn is a gift from God, a renewed opportunity to live, serve, and glorify His name. The presence of God is mentioned here as something central. It is not just about existing physically, but about being consciously connected to His presence. This reminds us that true life is only full when lived in communion with Him.
The continuation of the prayer, “Thank you for protecting the people we love,” extends this gratitude to include those who are important in our lives. It is natural to desire safety and well-being for our family, friends, and communities. However, this petition also reveals an implicit trust in divine providence. We recognize that although we cannot control everything around us, God is in control and can care for the people we love better than we can for ourselves.
The Atonement: Freedom and Renewal
The following section of the prayer touches on one of the central pillars of the Christian faith: the atonement. “Thank you for having repaired our faults, an atonement that frees us from all evil, from everything that is temporary and perishable, and even allows us to live from now on in eternity.” Here we find a clear reference to Christ’s redemptive work on the cross. Atonement is the act by which Jesus paid the price for our sins, reconciling us to God and freeing us from slavery to sin and death.
This freedom has profound implications for the Christian life. First, it frees us from “every evil thing.” Evil in this context refers to both the external forces that tempt us and the internal inclinations that lead us to sin. Christ’s atonement breaks this cycle, offering forgiveness and transformation. Second, it frees us from “everything temporary and perishable.” In this world, many things seem important—wealth, status, pleasures—but they are all fleeting. The atonement invites us to fix our eyes on what is eternal, as described in 2 Corinthians 4:18: “So let us fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”
Finally, the atonement grants us access to eternity. This extraordinary gift means that even while we live in this temporal world, we already experience the reality of eternal life through our union with Christ. This truth should directly impact the way we live today. We are not bound by the limitations of this world; we are citizens of heaven (Philippians 3:20) and sharers in the heavenly inheritance (Ephesians 1:11).
Awareness of God's Liberating Power
The next part of the prayer asks that “many people are aware of the greatness and liberating power that the Lord can offer us.” This intercession reflects a genuine desire for others to experience God’s deliverance. Unfortunately, many people live without realizing how trapped they are by the illusions of this world—whether it’s the relentless pursuit of social approval, material success, or momentary pleasure. These traps often result in emptiness and frustration.
God’s liberating power is not limited to eternal salvation; it also transforms our daily lives. When we turn our worries, fears, and desires over to God, we are freed from the burdens we carry alone. In John 8:36, Jesus declares: “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” This freedom is complete and comprehensive, affecting every aspect of our existence.
Furthermore, this part of the prayer also challenges us to be agents of this liberation. As followers of Christ, we are called to share the message of the gospel and to testify to the transforming power of God in our lives. When we do this, we help others see the true source of peace and meaning.
Protection from the Deception of the World
Next, the prayer asks: “Stay with us, strengthen us, and protect us from all deception in this world.” This petition resonates especially in our modern age, characterized by constant information, social pressures, and conflicting values. The world is filled with messages that contradict biblical truth, trying to lead us away from God’s path.
The deception mentioned here can take many forms: false doctrines, humanistic philosophies, materialism, hedonism, and even seemingly harmless distractions that lead us away from intimacy with God. In Ephesians 6:11-12, Paul warns about the spiritual “traps” we face: “Put on the full armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”
The only way to resist deception is to stand firm on God’s Word and depend on His guidance. Prayer recognizes that we need His constant presence to be strengthened and protected. This involves cultivating a life of prayer, meditation on Scripture, and fellowship with other believers.
A Heart Dedicated to the Presence of God
The following statement reveals the heart of the praying person: “Because we just want to be your children, we want with all our hearts to always be in your presence.” This statement reflects a deep desire for belonging and intimacy with God. To be called a “child of God” is one of the greatest honors bestowed upon believers. Romans 8:16-17 says: “The Spirit itself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ.”
Being in God’s presence is not only a privilege, but also a spiritual necessity. Without this connection, we are vulnerable to the influences of this world and lose our eternal perspective. God’s presence is where we find rest, direction, and purpose. Psalm 16:11 expresses this truth beautifully: “You will show me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand there are pleasures forevermore.”
Advancing in the Patience of Christ
The prayer continues with a beautiful expression of perseverance: “May we move forward joyfully in the patience of Jesus Christ until times change, until a new day dawns and we are allowed to see his glory and his peace.” Here we find an invitation to patience and hope. The Christian life often involves long periods of waiting and trial. However, the patience mentioned here is not passivity, but an active trust in God’s faithfulness.
Christ’s patience is exemplified in His own earthly life. He endured rejection, pain, and death, knowing that there was a greater purpose beyond the present suffering. In the same way, we are called to persevere, trusting that God will fulfill His promises. Hebrews 12:2 encourages us to fix our eyes on Jesus, “the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
To wait for the “new day” mentioned in the prayer is to await the second coming of Christ and the complete restoration of all things. Until then, we should live with expectation and joy, knowing that the glorious future will outweigh any present difficulties.
Grace, Praise and Honor
Finally, the prayer concludes with an expression of worship: “In your grace we can be joyful, praising and honoring you. You are our Father, you have never abandoned us. Blessed be your name forever and ever. Amen.” These words encapsulate the essence of the Christian life: dependence on God's grace, continual praise, and trust in His faithfulness.
God’s grace is the basis for everything we receive. It is because of His grace that we are saved (Ephesians 2:8), sustained (Hebrews 4:16), and enabled to live a life pleasing to Him. This grace enables us to be joyful even in the midst of adversity because we know that God is working all things together for our good (Romans 8:28).
Praising and honoring Him is the natural response to recognizing who He is and what He has done for us. When we praise God, we are declaring His greatness and sovereignty. Furthermore, remembering that He has never abandoned us gives us courage to face any challenge. Psalm 9:10 states: “Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.”
Conclusion
This prayer is much more than a simple conversation with God; it is a declaration of faith, hope, and love. It teaches us to begin each day with gratitude, to trust in Christ’s redemptive work, to seek protection from the deceit of the world, and to press forward patiently toward future glory. Above all, it reminds us that God is our loving Father, whose presence and grace are sufficient to sustain us at all times.
May we incorporate these truths into our daily lives, living with a grateful heart, a mind fixed on eternity, and an unshakable trust in the God who never fails. Blessed be His name forever and ever! Amen.