Isaiah 61:1-7The Spirit of God, the Master, is on me    because God anointed me.He sent me to preach good news to the poor,    heal the heartbroken,Announce freedom to all captives,    pardon all prisoners.God sent me to announce the year of his grace—    a celebration of God’s destruction of our enemies—    and to comfort all who mourn,To care for the needs of all who mourn in Zion,    give them bouquets of roses instead of ashes,Messages of joy instead of news of doom,    a praising heart instead of a languid spirit.Rename them “Oaks of Righteousness”    planted by God to display his glory.They’ll rebuild the old ruins,    raise a new city out of the wreckage.They’ll start over on the ruined cities,    take the rubble left behind and make it new.You’ll hire outsiders to herd your flocks    and foreigners to work your fields,But you’ll have the title “Priests of God,”    honored as ministers of our God.You’ll feast on the bounty of nations,    you’ll bask in their glory.Because you got a double dose of trouble    and more than your share of contempt,Your inheritance in the land will be doubled    and your joy go on forever.Lord, fill me to the full with your Spirit. Anoint me. Forgive me of my sins. Fill me with your grace and your mercy. Permeate my being today so that I can do your will.Help me to share your good news. Show me the heartbroken, the captives and the prisoners. Give me the words to pray for them and set them free. Help me to understand your people to bring healing to their lives.This is the year of God’s grace. This is a year of celebration of God’s enemies destruction. This is a year of comfort to those who mourn. You give us the care that we need. You give us beauty in the midst of the ashes of our lives. You give us messages of joy instead of doom and no hope. You give us a praising heart instead of despair.Your job for us, for me? You have renamed me an Oak of Righteousness planted by you to display your glory. You have set me to rebuilding the old ruined lives around me. You have set me up as an honored minister for you.Lord, make me worthy of this plan today. Make me fully yours. Help me to listen to you and walk with you through this day.

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