A Prayer about Being a Charity Case

Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 1 John 4:7

Gracious Father,

Forgive us for ever saying, 

“I don’t want to be a charity case.” 

The fact is, we are all charity cases in your kingdom, 

for indeed, the word “charity” 

comes from the word “charis,”

which means grace, 

or more fully, your gracious love. 

Without your charity, 

we would be dead in our sins. 

Without your love, we would be nothing. 

It is only because you first loved us 

that we can love at all. 

Only love that is rooted in your love 

and borne by your Spirit 

can be true love. 

We fail in our love, 

but your love never fails. 

We love you and we love our brothers and sisters 

because in fact, 

we are your charity cases. 

Thank you

for your amazing love, 

which compelled you to send your Son 

to die for our sins, 

that we might live in your love by your Spirit.

In Jesus’ charitable name. Amen.

Read 1 John 4:7-12; Ephesians 2:1-10.