Praying for Goodness

Thank You, O my God, for the precious faith I have obtained through Your righteousness.  May I know more and more of grace and peace as my knowledge of You and Your Son, Jesus my Lord, grows deeper (2 Peter 1:1-2), for Your divine power has given me all things that are necessary for living the truly good life, in allowing me to know the One who has called me to You through His own glorious goodness (2 Peter 1:3).

It is through this generosity that Your greatest and most precious promises have become available to us men, making it possible for us to escape the inevitable disintegration that lust produces in the world and to share in Your essential nature (2 Peter 1:4).  This makes me so very thankful, Generous Father, for as a partaker of Your divine nature, through the indwelling of Your Holy Spirit (John 14:17), I am empowered to walk in the fruit of goodness (Galatians 5:22).

You said Your people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order that we may provide for daily necessities and not live unproductive lives (Titus 3:14), for I am Your workmanship, created to do good works (Ephesians 2:10). Those who seek the Lord’s help have all the good things they need (Psalm 34:10), because You satisfy thirsty souls and fill hungry souls with good things (Psalm 107:9). You do good, O Lord, to those who are good, to those who are upright in heart (Psalm 125:4). Your Word promises that he who seeks good finds goodwill (Proverbs 11:27). So I will seek to do good.

I desire to see many good days, so I will turn from my evil ways and do good, I will seek peace and pursue it (Psalm 34:12, 14). I will trust in the Lord and do good deeds, then I will dwell in the land peacefully (Psalm 37:3, 27). For You, Lord God, are a sun and shield; You bestow favor and honor; no good thing do You withhold from those who walk blamelessly (Psalm 84:11). You indeed give what is good, and my efforts will yield a harvest (Psalm 85:12).

You tell us that we are to hate what is evil and cling to what is good (Romans 12:9), to not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good (Romans 12:21). Jesus, You told us to love our enemies, and to do good to those who hate us (Luke 6:27). You promise there will be glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good (Romans 2:10). For Your sake, I desire to be wise about what is good and innocent about what is evil (Romans 16:19).

Your Word tells us plainly: anyone who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins (James 4:17). Please encourage my heart and strengthen me in every good deed and word (2 Thessalonians 2:17) that I may not sin against You. Your Word says that If I cleanse myself from ignoble purposes, I can be a useful instrument prepared to do any good work (2 Timothy 2:21), and that I will be thoroughly equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3:17).

How can I repay the Lord for all His goodness to me? (Psalm 116:12) – By spreading Your goodness to those who need to feel it! I want to be careful to devote myself to doing what is good (Titus 3:8). Above all I want to set an example (Titus 2:7), for Jesus gave Himself for us to purify for Himself a people that are eager to do what is good (Titus 2:14). I want to live such a good life among non-believers that they may see good deeds and glorify You (1 Peter 2:12). If I suffer, please direct me to commit myself to You, my faithful Creator, and then continue to do good (1 Peter 4:19).

So, giving all diligence, I will make every effort to add to my faith goodness (2 Peter 1:5).  As I let the Holy Spirit lead me, I know I will be able to walk in goodness at all times.  Thank You, O Lord my gracious God, for Your promise that these qualities will make my life fruitful and productive in the knowledge of Jesus Christ, my Savior and Lord (2 Peter 1:8).

For the fruit of Your light consists in all goodness (Ephesians 5:9). And I am convinced that I, too, am filled with goodness (Romans 15:14) because of Your light in me. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will remain in the house of the Lord forever (Psalm 23:6).

Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds (Hebrews 10:24) never forgetting to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased (Hebrews 13:16). Neither let us not become weary in going good for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up (Galatians 6:9). May Your saints rejoice in Your goodness, O my God. Clothe Your priests, Lord God, with salvation, and let Your godly ones rejoice in what is good (2 Chronicles 6:41).