O God, who sits enthroned on high,
You are the God worthy of eternal praise! You stoop down to look upon the earth, lifting the poor from the dust and raising the needy from the ash heap—and is it not also by Your decree that some are born into royal households? Yet how lamentable that the human heart is wicked, that all have sinned and fall short of Your glory. You tell us that Your kingdom tarries because You do not wish for anyone to perish, but desire all to come to repentance. Sadly, the longer the days, the more are born; and the more are born, the more there are who sin and do not repent. I often watch and pray, that I may not be a Christian in name only, nor a famous Christian, nor one still living in sin. I only wish to be shaped by God in Christ, quietly doing the good works God has prepared for me to do. O God, whose thoughts are higher than Yours, that they should judge Your will? Whose ways are higher than Yours, that they should measure Your paths? Every delay of Yours is an opportunity for sinners to repent, and You also keep the record that forms the basis for condemnation, so that when people face judgement, they will have no excuse. Teach us to see our true selves clearly—whether we truly fear You, or merely fear disaster; whether we wholly love You, or merely covet blessings. And let us be ashamed of having abused God’s patience and forgiveness, and resolve to turn from sin, striving to guard the title of Christian, showing forth the radiance of God’s glorious grace in our daily speech and conduct. Thank You, God, for hearing our prayer. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen!
en yan hua fang 