Praying For Fruit (Goodness)

[If you are just joining me in Going Beyond the Familiar, this is the 6^th in a series of prayers focusing on the nine attributes of the Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22,23).  I recommend you go back to the January 19^th entry for the introduction and first prayer focusing on love.]

Like kindness, the 6^th attribute of the Fruit of the Spirit, goodness, is very easy to over simplify.  But there is nothing simple about goodness.  In both the Old Testament (tuwb) and the New Testament (agathosune), these words attempt to capture the concept of what is very best and most desirable.   These words are also translated as “excellent.”  The manifestation of the Holy Spirit through our lives is both the giving and the enabling of the best of the best.

Scriptures:

• Exodus 33:19
• Psalm 23:6
• Psalm 27:13
• Psalm 31:19
• Psalm 69:16
• Psalm116:12
• Psalm 145:7
• Ephesians 5:9
• 2Thessalonians 1:11-12
• 2 Peter1:3-7

God is great. God is good.  This child’s prayer declares a wonderful truth:  You are good!  You are the best of the best.  All you are is all we could ever desire in our God. You pour all that goodness into our lives. All that is good, all that is best, all that is truly desirable. We are blessed beyond measure.

I see the needs of my family and the challenges we face, but instead of panic or fear, there is amazing serenity because of your goodness.  It is in the assurance of your prevailing goodness that I call out to you.  I know you will answer me out of the goodness of your love and in your great mercy.  It would be easy to despair, except that I truly believed that I will see the goodness of the Lord, the redemption of all this for what is best.  Instead of hopelessness, there is confidence that you truly want best, have prepared best and are able to make best possible. “How great is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you.”

Your divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness.  The more we know you, the more we realize that all you have done is a drawing to a life defined by glory and a goodness that is best for you, others and our family.   For this very reason, help us to prioritize adding to our faith, goodness – the giving and doing what is most desired by you. Manifest in us goodness patterned after your own, which always desires to bless and be a blessing.  May your pleasure and other’s benefit be far more important than our own personal interest.  Please produce and distribute through this family the fruit of your Light, which consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth.

All the days of our life, we will celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness.  Surely goodness and mercy will follow us all the days of our lives. This is not just an assurance, but also a commitment on our part.  Because of the abundant goodness you pour into us, may we leave behind a wake of goodness, always and only for your glory.  Count us worthy of your calling and fulfill every desire for goodness and the work of faith with power so that your name will be glorified.