A prayer based on Isaiah 58:6-12.
6 “Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke?
Thanks for reading Greg’s Substack! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.
7 Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?
8 Then shall your light break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up speedily; your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard.
9 Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; you shall cry, and he will say, ‘Here I am.’ If you take away the yoke from your midst, the pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness,
10 if you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday.
11 And the Lord will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.
12 And your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt; you shall raise up the foundations of many generations; you shall be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of streets to dwell in.
Almighty God, heavenly father, we thank you for your word, in which you reveal to us your heart and character. As we gaze in wonder upon your goodness, we are not only moved, but your Spirit works in us to conform us more and more to your likeness. To Isaiah, and to us you have revealed that you care for the oppressed, the hungry, the homeless, the poor, the naked and the afflicted. Upon each precious soul you have placed your image - a gift of immense grace, without merit, to bless each one.
And yet in our worldly estate we are fallen, we have marred your image. In our sin we have turned from you and suffered at the hands of others and through self-inflicted wounds. Worse still, in our sin we have injured and ignored those whom you love, setting ourselves directly in opposition to you. We are guilty of “the pointing of the finger and speaking wickedness” that you spoke through your prophet. Lord have mercy on us.
Remind us again of your character that we may become more and more like the one whose image we bear.
When we were oppressed, you freed us from bondage to sin. May we use our freedom to help those who suffer injustice in this world.
When we were hungry you fed us with your own flesh, the very bread of life. May we invite the hungry to the table to share in the abundance.
When we were homeless you brought us into the promised land. May we show hospitality to all who feel unwelcomed and lost.
When we were poor, you lavished us with every good gift from above. May we overflow with generosity to those who have need.
When we were naked you clothed us in your righteousness so we would not be ashamed. May we freely offer the love and forgiveness that covers a multitude of sins to others.
When we were afflicted you offered to us the hope of resurrection and life everlasting. May we joyfully share this hope and good news to all who are suffering.
In every way that we were lost, helpless, and without hope you entered in to rescue, redeem, and restore. We were far off, but you drew near.
Having been so well loved by you, how could we not feel compelled by that love to imitate our Savior? For your humble servants are not greater than their master. And if he would lay down his rights and privileges and even his very life to show us the majesty of his love, how could we be satisfied with anything less ourselves.
Lord give us eyes to see the needs around us. Ears to hear those who cry out.
Lips that speak words of kindness and encouragement.
Hands that bind wounds and provide comfort. Arms that embrace those who mourn.
Feet that search out the lost.
Most of all, give us a heart like yours, full of compassion and humility that delights to put others before ourselves. May our whole lives reflect your grace, mercy, compassion and love so that when we tell others about our glorious savior they will feel as though they had already caught a glimpse of Him through us.
We pray all these things in Christ’s name and for his glory. Amen.
Thanks for reading Greg’s Substack! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.
