A Prayer for an Open Life
Lord, strengthen me to live an open kind of life. One that isn’t too cold or closed off, but one that is willing and ready to engage in all you have planned and prepared.
Help me to be open-hearted towards your people. Those known, unknown, or not yet known.
Encourage me to be open-handed, God, extending arms and hands heavenward in worship. Help me leave my hands open to receive your gifts, and not clench too tightly to things you are nudging me to let go of.
Keep my eyes wide open, Lord, so that I may see the hurting and broken in my midst. Turn my gaze to those in need spiritually, emotionally, and physically. Let me see people for who you created them to be, not their weaknesses or limitations. Fix my eyes on you, Jesus.
Open my ears to not only hear, but truly listen, so that I may gain better understanding without being too quick to assess and judge. Teach me to not only listen to their words, but also the language of their heart.
May my arms be left open wide to embrace the ones starved of affection or just needing a knowing hug. Extend and stretch my reach to include not only my own, but any others you would send our way.
Heavenly Father, open doors that only you can open, and slam closed the ones you want bolted shut. Give me divine direction to clearly discern those you desire for me to walk through.
Holy Spirit, show me where to be open-minded, not elevating my own opinions over truth. Keep me humble so that pride will not prevent me from seeing validity in different points of view. Grow my hunger for knowledge so that I may gain perspective, while still clinging to Truth.
Jesus, help me to open my soul and practice honesty before myself, You, and others, knowing vulnerability is the path to intimacy.
Finally, Sovereign Lord, remind me often that my life is not open-ended. My days are numbered and the plan has been set. You have authored the beginning and the ending, so my fruitless attempts at control are futile. Thank you for your grace, your goodness, and your love. Because of those, I never have to be afraid of the story you’ve already written, only empowered to live a life with my faith out in the open.
Intimately,
Jenni
