We Said We’d Follow… But We Didn’t

Gracious and merciful God,

We come to you as we are—sometimes faithful, often flawed. We admit that it’s easy to say we trust you, but much harder to actually live like we do. We talk about love, but too often we fall back into habits that are self-centered, guarded, or impatient. We want to follow the way of Jesus, but when it gets uncomfortable or uncertain, we hesitate.

We’ve chased what makes us feel secure while neglecting the needs right in front of us. We’ve protected our own comfort more than we’ve sought justice or peace for others. We’ve avoided the hard conversations, walked past the hurting, and turned away when we felt like it wasn’t our problem. And sometimes, even when we knew what was right, we just didn’t want to deal with it.

Please forgive us. Forgive the ways we’ve missed the point. Forgive us for the times we’ve built our own little kingdoms—kingdoms of success, safety, and control—instead of letting go and trusting yours.

But we don’t want to stay stuck. We want to grow. We want to be the kind of people who reflect your heart in real, everyday ways. We want to be people who listen more than we speak, who lift others up instead of competing for attention, who care deeply—even when it’s inconvenient.

So we ask you to keep working in us. Keep softening our hearts. Teach us how to love without conditions and to serve without needing recognition. Help us to see every person as someone made in your image, deserving of dignity and kindness.

And when we stumble—and we know we will—remind us that grace is still there. That your presence hasn’t left. That we’re still invited to begin again.

Thank you for walking with us through all of it—for your mercy, your patience, and your unshakable love. Keep leading us forward. We’re listening.

Amen.