Prayer Points: When I'm Struggling to Teach Grace Through the Law

photo source

The law of the LORD is perfect,

Reviving the soul;

The testimony of the LORD is sure,

Making wise the simple;

The precepts of the LORD are right,

Rejoicing the heart;

The commandment of the LORD is pure,

Enlightening the eyes;

The fear of the LORD is clean,

Enduring forever;

The rules of the LORD is clean,

Enduring forever;

The rules of the LORD are true,

And righteous altogether.

More to be desired are they than gold,

Even much fine gold;

Sweeter also than honey

And drippings of the honeycomb.

Psalm 19:7-10

Father,

This house is full of rules.  Some of them are just the run of the mill kind that keep everyone safe and the house functioning.  Some of them are designed to help us love each other and You better.  But everywhere I turn they’re being broken. 

Your Word is full of rules.  And we break those ones too.  Many of the rules of our home stem from Your rules.  But Your Book of rules also tells us to delight in those rules.  To meditate on them.  To love them. 

But how?  Your law exposes my sin.  Shows me for who I really am.  Our house rules expose my kids’ sin.  Our family’s sin.  They expose us for the failures we are at living up to the standard.  These rules are mocking us.  How can I love this?

But the law does something beautiful as is uncovers the ugliness.  The rules show our failure, yes, but they force us to hide in the One who can cover it up.  Who takes the mess up on Himself and declares us clean. 

O God, I plead for your grace on this family.  I ask that every time we break the rules, we’ll see You magnified.  I beg that likewise when we keep the rules, pride won’t set in and we’ll see You magnified. 

Thank you for rules.  Thank you for grace.

Amen.

Linked up at: