Prayer based on Mark 9:14-29, Jesus healing a boy possessed by a destructive spirit

Answer us, Great God of Justice,
Lord of Hope
Bringer of Change and New Life
Have mercy
Draw near
Finish your good and generous work

Release us from
the chains of this moment, born of imprisoned years
the distractions and false calls of those who cannot help
the apathy keeping us from seeing, speaking, and caring
the smallness of your Kingdom stealing our courage to try
the slowness of your Kingdom chipping away at our enduring

We believe, help our unbelief
Raise us from our comas to stand with you
Release our petrified voices
Deliver us of our demons

You have made us new
You are making us new
You are making all things new

Excerpt from Believe by Steve Garnaas-Holmes
This time of year we’re told to “believe.”
But what does that mean?
Judging from the movies to believe
means to believe in magic, or Santa, or romance,
to be optimistically wishful and naïve.
In many Christian circles to believe means
to think, as in believing certain doctrines are true.
But the word “believe” comes from old English,
rooted in German, belieben—to love.
In scripture to believe means to give your heart:
to lovingly entrust yourself, not to an idea but to a person.

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Answer us, a prayer based on Mark 9:14-29 © 2017 Lisa Ann Moss Degrenia
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