Semper fi

There is nothing that I can hide from you, Father, for you know me inside and out. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. But why do you still love me and call me your beloved? Why do you even care to redeem me... us? I am rarely thankful; I don't love even those who love me back; I am easily attracted to everything else but you; I fall away and not even know it. I am often discontent, disappointed, disobedient. Nothing in me deserves your love.

But Father, Lord I am so amazed by you. Though you see the depths of my sinful heart, you call me your child, you have washed my stains away through the death and resurrection of your Son, Jesus Christ. Help me to grasp and realize how wide, how deep, how true your love and grace is for me. I pray for your Spirit inside me to help me overcome and fight my battles that reside in me. May I remember I am a forgiven sinner. Nothing can take me away from you, for it is you who hold me fast, for it is you who is with me when I awake. 

I pray that I remain faithful to you every moment. I know that by the end of each day, I will have failed you countless times, but may I be assured that I still belong to you, still forgiven, still loved. 

Praise the Lord. 

Praise the Lord, O my soul.

I will praise the Lord all my life; 

I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.