Father Mike Schmitz

But my righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him.

But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and keep their souls.

She opens her mouth with wisdom and her teaching of kindness is on her tongue.

She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.

Her children rise up and call her blessed, her husband also, and he praises her.

Many women have done exceedingly, but you surpass them all.

We thank you for 364 days of hearing your word and letting ourselves be shaped by your word.

Thank you for speaking to us.

Thank you for continuing to call us your children.

Thank you for even speaking to us of judgment that is coming.

We ask you, Lord, please help us always, always to repent of our sins, to come back to you.

Help us always, always

to not rely on our own faithfulness because Lord God, we know that we are not, we're not faithful, but you are faithful.

And so please help us to belong to you.

Help us to be faithful to you.

Even when we sin, help us to rely upon the right sacrifice of your son, the blood that takes away sins because Lord God, when your son

He's offered himself.

He offered himself to you for us.

So please receive the sacrifice of your son and once again, bestow that mercy upon us.

In Jesus' name we pray, amen.