Praying with Paul: 'Living as a New Creation'

Dear Father, creator of new creations,

Far be it from me to glory except in the cross of Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me and I to the world. For neither circumcision avails anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation!

Let your peace and mercy rain down upon all of us who walk by this rule, upon the Israel of God, called both from Jews and from non-Jewish people.

Thank you, Father, for calling me to be part of your holy nation.

Let us take no thought for any identifying marks on our bodies, except the evidences of our suffering for the sake of Jesus.

Help us never to glory in the flesh, or to give ourselves to be counted for someone else's glorying, except for this.

In the name of Jesus I ask for his grace to be with our Spirits in this and in all our petitions. Amen.