Prayer of Adoration based on 1 Peter 2:18-25

Lord God,

In a world of sin, suffering and suppression,

We long for perfect justice and fairness,

And you show us a pattern that transcends

Eye for eye and tooth for tooth.

You show us a submissive suffering servant,

A perfect person,

Who did no wrong,

Who never lied,

But was insulted,

Abused and afflicted.

He did not return threats

Or insults,

But like a lamb led to the slaughter,

He opened not his mouth.

Through all of that injustice,

His eyes were on you,

Oh great God of perfect Justice.

What an example, Oh Lord!

But we bow in worship,

because we recognise our role in his suffering.

*We* were those who insulted him,

*We* were those Who abused him

It was *we* who caused his affliction.

It was *our* sin that

This perfect example carried

on his body to the cross.

And our hearts are warmed,

Because this servant suffered,

So that *we* could die to sin

And so that *we* could live to righteousness

Because he stands alive in your throne room.

Oh Lord, now in our lives of pain,

We find healing in the wounds of this Servant

Because he is not merely our substitute,

But also our Shepherd,

Our guardian and protector

In the midst of our suffering.

Lord, we are so grateful because

Our lives are in his hands,

And the Good Shepherd will by no means

Cast us unworthy people out.

Instead, because of his silence,

We can speak to you,

Because of his death,

We live for you,

And in the midst of our suffering,

We can look to you,

And instead of justice,

We enjoy your grace

And your favour

And we look forward to the reward

That we have because of the penalty

That your Servant took.

And so, as his people,

exiles in this world,

We want to glorify you,

And live as a royal priesthood,

As we seek to follow in the footsteps

of Jesus, the Suffering Servant,

Great David's greater Son,

Our great High Priest,

And older brother.

This will be our life of adoration

To you.

For Jesus' sake,

Amen.