Lord, we praise and thank you because you have set us free. We, your children, formed by your hand — we had turned away from you and had fallen under the power of the evil one. Day after day, we wandered among the tombs and barren hills, unable to break free.
Seduced by our own desires, we found ourselves chained by one obsession or another. Because we made the pursuit of wealth our goal, we found ourselves alternately elated or crushed by changing fortunes. Desiring to be known and admired, we valued approval more than personal integrity. We sought knowledge and craved information, only to find ourselves without anchor in a world of constantly shifting values.
Like the demoniac, we inflicted wounds on ourselves: self-hatred born of deep guilt, shameful memories, and broken promises. And even as we were tormenting ourselves, our old master played his part by alternately reminding us of our faults and feeding our swollen sense of pride. Like a small boat in a violent sea, we were tossed about, at the mercy of the voices within us, unaware that they could be silenced. Such was the state of our soul before you intervened and liberated us with a single word.
Jesus, there is none like you! What is impossible for us is nothing for you. You who stilled raging wind and sea, who raised the dead to life — you have freed us and brought us back to our senses. Before you came, we were enslaved. What we believed to be freedom became bondage. But you have given us back our lives! Now that we are clothed in your righteousness and forgiveness, our whole world is changed. We gladly make you our new Master. We long to become all that you have destined us to be.
(wau.org-Feb. 2003)
Seduced by our own desires, we found ourselves chained by one obsession or another. Because we made the pursuit of wealth our goal, we found ourselves alternately elated or crushed by changing fortunes. Desiring to be known and admired, we valued approval more than personal integrity. We sought knowledge and craved information, only to find ourselves without anchor in a world of constantly shifting values.
Like the demoniac, we inflicted wounds on ourselves: self-hatred born of deep guilt, shameful memories, and broken promises. And even as we were tormenting ourselves, our old master played his part by alternately reminding us of our faults and feeding our swollen sense of pride. Like a small boat in a violent sea, we were tossed about, at the mercy of the voices within us, unaware that they could be silenced. Such was the state of our soul before you intervened and liberated us with a single word.
Jesus, there is none like you! What is impossible for us is nothing for you. You who stilled raging wind and sea, who raised the dead to life — you have freed us and brought us back to our senses. Before you came, we were enslaved. What we believed to be freedom became bondage. But you have given us back our lives! Now that we are clothed in your righteousness and forgiveness, our whole world is changed. We gladly make you our new Master. We long to become all that you have destined us to be.
(wau.org-Feb. 2003)
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