A prayer of reflection on 2 Peter 1 as our church works through 1 Corinthians 7.

You, our Father, have created us. 
You have shown us the cascading love You have for your Son and have granted that same love to us. 
Forgive us for our insulated lives. We beg of you for greater understanding to channel that love to one another.

We have been called to live through and for Your glory. 
You have granted us faith in Jesus and sealed us with your Spirit. 
You have given us all we need through the instruction of Your word and the power of the Spirit to live with Your people in Your Church.

You have created the loving family to reflect the Good News of Your love to our broken world. 
Likewise, You have ordained those who are single in Your Church to show the equipping power of the Gospel as they live holy lives devoted to You.

Cause family affection to grow among all in the Church. 
May we, Your children, pursue each other with Your affection.  
Set the lonely in families. 
May our lives be devoted to caring for one another to display the beauty of Your love and mercy.

May you bring peace to all who struggle—wholeness for the broken marriages, healing comfort for the abandoned, purposeful understanding for the singles, courage for those pursuing marriage, and joy for all in You.

May each of us know Your divine power to live holy, chaste lives which please you.

Enable us together to draw others to know You, our Father.

And, as we long for the Wedding that is to come, make us, the Bride of Christ, fruitful for Jesus’ sake.

Amen.