Pastor Jason’s Prayer - June 22nd

Lord, hear our prayer, listen to our cry for mercy. In your faithfulness and righteousness come to our relief. Keep this church a place of rest and refuge. A place where you gather us, your children, to receive your gifts. Gifts of helpful guidance, grace and mercy, forgiveness and renewal. 

Lord, hear our prayer, listen to our cry for mercy. In your faithfulness and righteousness come to our relief. Free us from the lie that we have to, or that we can, earn your favor. Rest us in the truth that in mercy and grace, Christ has already done it for us. And having become one with Christ, we have been adopted into His perfect Sonship as full heirs of His Kingdom.

Lord, hear our prayer, listen to our cry for mercy. In your faithfulness and righteousness come to our relief. How often, when weary, do we sigh 'The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.' Or how often, when weary, does our spirit grow faint within us, and our hearts grow dismayed. How often, when weary, are our thoughts and hearts distracted….distracted by temptation, by the voices of the world shouting everything but the Gospel, by the consequences and baggage of our own sinful struggles. By that baggage carried with us, rather than left at your feet. Do not bring us into judgment, for no one living is righteous before you. Instead, draw us by your Word to the foot of the cross, where the ground is level. Draw us by your Word to the foot of the cross and the empty tomb to hear you speak rest into our hearts, “You are weary and heavy laden. But take my yoke, for it is easy and my burden is light.” 

Lord, hear our prayer, listen to our cry for mercy. In your faithfulness and righteousness come to our relief. 

Let the morning bring us word of your unfailing love.

AMEN.

Pastor Jason’s Prayer - June 15th

Lord, 

On this Father’s Day morning, we give special thanks for the men in our lives. We thank you for those, who with a fatherly spirit, guide us, shape us and love us. Those through whom you mark your path of justice and mercy, discipline and forgiveness, guidance and grace. For those of us gifted with the role of father, by blood or in spirit, turn us to our true primary calling. Our calling to be the compassionate mouthpiece of forgiveness in our homes and amongst our neighbors. Make us new, that we may be the voice of the loving God who forgives on account of the person and work of Christ and for His sake. Possess us with your Spirit that we might bear your image for a world that desperately needs Gospel rest.

Lord Jesus,

Where there are two or more gathered in your name, you promise to be there. We offer you thanks for your presence and divine gifts here this morning. Here, where you operate through ordinary means to work your miracles of salvation and restoration. From ordinary lips you proclaim your eternal life-giving Word of the forgiveness of sins and the assurance of your active royal reign. From ordinary bread and wine, by your Word, we taste mercy, costly earned but freely given in your body and blood. Hold fast to us in the truth that your fulfilled promise of restoration is real and present, right now in You. As we go about our days, rest us wherever you have planted our feet, living and loving as you have re-created us to be in your image.

AMEN.

Pastor Jason’s Prayer - June 8th

Almighty, gracious, and loving God,

Today and everyday, fill us and enliven us with your Holy Spirit that we might rejoice in proclaiming the Gospel. Grant us joy in the truth that your Word of Good News is not just information, but the living power of the living God. 

“The words which I have spoken to you are Spirit and they are life”.

Pour out your Spirit and settle our busy, restless, and distracted minds and hearts this morning. Make us vessels to receive your promise of a peace that is deeper and richer than anything we can imagine. Peace in Jesus Christ. Peace in the midst of our daily struggles. Peace that passes all understanding.

By the power of your Word, shatter the bondage of self in which we are chained. Create in us a clean heart and renew a right spirit within us. Renew our hearts, Lord, so they might burn not with self interest but with love for our neighbors. Renew our hearts to bear the fruit of the Spirit, the good fruit that this world needs. For there is no law against joy, there is no law against kindness and gentleness, there is no law against faithfulness, there is no law against love.

As we go about our day, have us know and walk in the assurance that your Spirit hovers over us, gives us the very breath of life, and lives in us. To stir us, to correct us, to work through us, to comfort us, to teach us, to lead us. And ultimately, to turn us to Christ that we might be set free by His Word of forgiveness in order to recklessly pour out His forgiveness on the world.

All this we pray in the name of Jesus Christ,

AMEN.

Pastor Jason's Prayer - June 1st

Almighty, merciful, and loving Father,

Yours is the love that knows no barriers, no borders, no boundaries. Your love, given in your Son Jesus Christ, is the love that conquers distance, time, troubles, death itself.

Wherever we find ourselves, by your love, draw us together in communion with you and each other. To share, by faith in you, peace in our unity in You, in one body, one Spirit, one hope, one faith, one light, one baptism, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came to be and in whom we live.

To share, together, the joy of our unity in you and the fellowship we share with each other. To share, in thanks, the countless blessings you bestow on your creation and your children as you crash in your Kingdom light. 

Lord Jesus,

To a world that is searching and seeking in darkness, by the power of your Word, shine your Kingdom light. To a world that is suffering, grant the hope of release, for though there is trouble in this world, we can take heart, for you have overcome the world. To a world that is broken, grant healing and wholeness in the gift of forgiveness and restoration we receive only in You and your work. Rest us in your fulfilled promise that we are saved. You are in us and we are in you. We are saved, now and forever more.

AMEN.

Pastor Jason's Prayer - May 25th

Gracious, Merciful, Sovereign God, Lord of all nations,

On this Memorial Day weekend, we pause to reflect upon our blessings as a nation and the high cost of those blessings. We lift a prayer of thanks and intercession.

Lord, 

Thank you for those who have served in the armed forces of our country, risking their lives for our liberty, and especially for those who, across the centuries, have given their lives in service to our country. Sacrificing in the most costly way for the sake of others.

Thank you for a day set apart for solemn remembrance as we consider the sacrifices of so many. You are the shield around us through the men and women who wear this nation’s uniform. We ask that you fill our hearts with gratitude for the heroes you place among us.

We pray for the families and friends of those who have given their lives in service to our nation. Be with the countless friends, the tens of thousands of mothers and fathers, and surviving spouses and children in our midst. May they be comforted in their sadness and heartbreak. Hold their wounded hearts in your wounded hands that heal.

Lord Jesus,

In a hard-hearted world renew us, and grant us hearts that are firm in their foundation in faith in You, yet tender toward our neighbors.

In an atmosphere mired in and often idolatrous of the violence of the pen, the violence of the tongue and the violence of action, renew us, sanctify us, set us apart. Make us the peacekeepers, the love and hope givers, the grace and truth speakers, the Good News proclaimers You have called us to be. 

You did not come into this world to be served, but to serve, to the point  of death on the cross. Your love is a consuming fire. Consume us and make us new, that we might shine your light in the darkness. Pour out your love through your Word, that we might practice true worship through the self-sacrificial loving of our neighbors. Make us your hands and feet in service to those around us. Make us agents of your reign of love, grace, and mercy.

May your kingdom come, Lord, and your will be done, on earth, as it is in heaven.

All praise be to you Lord Jesus, God of grace, God of mercy, God of justice, God of compassion, King of kings, and Lord of lords.

AMEN.

Pastor Jason’s Prayer - May 18th

Mighty and gracious Lord Jesus,

You are the light of the world. Comfort us with the truth that no matter how deep our own darkness and the darkness of the world, darkness cannot overcome your light. By your Word, send your Holy Spirit, and be the light that rises in whatever darkness we might find ourselves in. In this turbulent and unsettled age, settle our fearful, discontented and restless minds and hearts. Make us vessels to receive your promise of a peace that is deeper and richer than anything we can imagine. Peace in you and you alone. Peace that passes all understanding.

Almighty God,

Continue to pour out your Spirit; to enliven us, to teach us, to shape us, and to lead us. To show us the Son, so we may be set free in the Son. As we go about our days, work through us in the freedom that we have in Christ. Work through us to be who you would have us be. May the world know we are Christians by our love. May they know we are Christians by our mercy. May they know we are Christians by the forgiveness we proclaim in your name, for while we are still sinners, you welcome us. May they know we are Christians by our hope in you. Hope in the author of life. Hope in the redeemer of all creation. Hope in the One who saves. In the midst of the world’s tension and uncertainty, cause us to be deliverers of that hope. 

AMEN.

Pastor Jason’s Prayer - May 11th

Almighty and merciful God,

We thank you for bringing us here this morning, to receive your gifts. To receive rest and renewal,  to receive forgiveness, to receive new life in the person and work of Jesus Christ.

Lord, 

On this Mother’s Day morning, we give special thanks for all the mothers in our lives. We thank you for all those, who by blood or by spirit, you have called to such a divine vocation. And we remember those whom you’ve called to rest with you in paradise. We thank you for these women, whom you wear like a mask and through whom you shine your light of grace and sacrificial love. And through whom you so often shine as a beacon of when we’re in the midst of the storms of this life. May their love, and guidance, and care continue to be a mirror of your compassionate heart. 

Lord,

As we are gathered here together in you, remind us that your word is living and active. For you, to speak is to do. When you say “Let there be…”, according to your purposes, things happen. When the sun rises and sets, you are speaking. When you wash your creation in life giving rain, you are speaking. When a tree bears fruit, you are speaking. When a child is born, and a mother is made, you are speaking. 

When a church is gathered, when the discarded are salvaged, when the hurt are healed, when the broken are made whole, when the sinful are forgiven, when the unbelieving believe, when the dead are made alive, you are speaking. 

Have us hear your voice. Have us listen to the voice of our Shepherd. Pour out your life giving Good News that we might find rest in your assurance that we will never be snatched from your hand.

In the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,

AMEN

Pastor Jason’s Prayer - May 4th

Heavenly Father, 

By the Holy Spirit you’ve drawn each and every one of us here this morning.You are the God of light and love, and you’ve granted us the gift of sharing your light, not just in this place, but in our communities and around the world. 

Yet there are times when the darkness around us and in us can make it seem like there is no light. In your mercy, crash your light into the darkness of this world. By your Word, shine your light into our own darkness. Lift the scales from our eyes and scatter the dark clouds with the light of your grace found in your son Jesus Christ.

So often we fall to temptation, and bear the fruit of sin: hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy. Be the friend and pardoner of sinners. In your mercy repent us, faith us, forgive us, renew us. It is for freedom that you set us free. Cause us to stand firm that we might not return to the yoke of slavery to sin.

Remind us that we are marked with your name, and stir your Holy Spirit within us that we might instead bear the fruit of love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. 

In your mighty and gracious name,

AMEN.

Pastor Jason’s Prayer - April 27th

Almighty, merciful, and saving God,

Grant us comfort in you. Grant us the comfort that wherever we find ourselves in this life, and whatever troubles and struggles we are walking through, you have put your name on us. We are marked and sealed with your name and Spirit, the one true creating, redeeming, and sanctifying God. Grant us comfort in you and in the solid fact we are yours, held fast by your wounded hands.  

Lord Jesus,

In a world that constantly drives and shapes us to seek comfort and satisfaction for our souls in everything and everywhere but you, turn us to you and the true sabbath rest found only in you. Turn us away from the world’s ways and our own ways, and grant us a contrite heart, for a contrite heart you will not despise. By your Word, turn us to the cross and empty tomb so that by faith we might see and know that you are faithful even when we are unfaithful. Turn us to you in hope and faith in your promise that you know your plans for us, and they are good. Hope and faith in your promise that when we are doubtful or stubborn hearted or feel far from your righteousness you come close, and bring to us your righteousness. Hope and faith in your promise that by your Word and body and blood here this morning you are working to help, to forgive, to renew, and that soon you will make all things new.

AMEN.

Pastor Jason’s Prayer - Easter Sunday

Lord Jesus Christ, we offer you thanks and praise, and by your Word we beseech you to open our eyes, our ears, and our hearts. Lift the veil so we might see your resurrection life at work in our midst, and know that in you we have the assurance of our own resurrection. In this dawning of spring, in your beautiful creation we see all around us, have us see the reflection and foretaste of your new creation to come. Have us rejoice in the assured hope of the resurrection life we already possess on account of you. The King of kings reigns, for He has risen.

Lord, when we are worried, ashamed, and fearful in our sin, have us remember that in you there is no fear, because you have conquered sin, death, and the devil. The tomb is empty, and we no longer have to fear the grave because you have already been there. The King of Kings reigns, for He has risen. When we are shaken by the tribulations of this age, help us remember your promise “I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

We do not have to be afraid, for you have redeemed us. You have summoned us by name, and we are yours, never to be forsaken. 

When we pass through the waters, you are with us. 

When we pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over us. 

When we walk through the fire, we will not be burned. 

For you are the Lord, our God, the Holy One of Israel, our Savior. 

The King of kings reigns, for He has risen. He has risen indeed, Hallelujah!

AMEN.

Pastor Jason’s Prayer - Good Friday

O, Lord, you are our God, and you turn our hearts to praise your name. For you have done wonderful things. A plan, formed of old. A plan, faithful and sure. A plan for the salvation and restoration of your creation in your son, Jesus Christ. Renew our hearts Lord, write the preached word on our hearts that we might share in and hold fast to the confession of the prophet:

He will swallow up death forever. The Lord has spoken. In that day they will say, “Surely this is our God; we trusted in him, and he saved us. This is the Lord, we trusted in him; let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation.”

King Jesus, 

We pause and gather to remember God’s fulfilled plan in your sacrificial love from the cross for all of creation….and for us.  A sacrificial love that willingly drank the full cup of God’s wrath in our stead. A sacrificial love that shined light into the heart of darkness. That lived truth through shouts of incrimination and lies. That brought fullness from such dreadful emptiness. That brought unity from complete abandonment. That revealed hope out of bloody devastation. That unleashed ultimate freedom by imprisonment on the cross. That brought us forgiveness instead of deserved punishment. A sacrificial love that brought life through the swallowing up of death itself.

He has swallowed up death forever. It is finished. The Lord has spoken.

AMEN.

Pastor Jason’s Prayer - April 13th

Almighty God,

In your amazing grace , and by your Holy Spirit, you bless us with sanctuary and rest in your son Jesus Christ. You bless us by calling and drawing us here to you in order to receive your gifts.

King Jesus,

In our daily struggle with our own sin, the darkness in this world can make it seem like there is no hope. In the midst of our struggles, comfort us with the truth that you are active right here and right now through your Word and your body and blood. Comfort us with the truth that it is precisely into our struggles where you enter, in order to help us, and to carry us in hope.Turn us to you not as prisoners of sin, but as those captured by hope in you. Turn us to you in hope, Lord, as foretold by the prophet,

“Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey”. 

As we celebrate and reflect on your entry into Jerusalem this Palm Sunday, spark our hearts to shout along with the church eternal at your coming, “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!”,  “Hosanna!”, “Save us!” Remind us that when we shout “Hosanna!” it is out of our need for salvation, but also, in faith, that in you we are already saved. Saved from the clutches of sin, death, and the devil. For the King we welcome is the Servant King, the King who bore the wrath of God in our stead, that by His blood we are made full heirs of His Kingdom, now and forevermore.

Amen.

Pastor Jason’s Prayer - March 30th

Almighty God,

We thank you for the opportunity we have to come together in fellowship in You. We thank you for this place of refuge and for this church family, whom you’ve gathered by the Holy Spirit, to receive your gifts this morning. To receive forgiveness and new life in the person and work of Jesus Christ. 

Lord,

Whether we are filled with small doubts or, at times, what seems like utter hopelessness, cause us to hold fast to Christ and His promises, that sure and steadfast anchor of our souls. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope in Christ Jesus, for the Lord promises, and He is faithful.

Lord Jesus,

Where we are restless and anxious, turned in on ourselves instead of outward in love, speak your peace into us, and over us. Cling to us with your words: “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” 

In the midst of the busyness of our lives, prompt us to pause, to be still, to hear and believe the renewing Word of our Savior, to savor the gift of joy we receive in reconciliation with God on account of you.

In a world that is constantly rushing, have us know that your love is patient, is not easily angered, and, by grace, keeps no record of wrong. So reach out your long arm of grace. A grace that is love that seeks us out when we have nothing to give in return.

A grace that loves us so much, that you took on flesh and entered creation as one of us, that you might save us.

Rest us in the Good News of the peace, hope, and unbounded love we have in you.

All this we pray in your name,

AMEN.

Pastor Jason’s Prayer - March 23rd

God of this day and of all days,

In a world which has so much to say and not much time for listening, quiet our hearts and minds that we might hear your voice. Cause us to be still and know you are God. By your Word, reach out with your law that convicts and guides us. With your kindness that leads us to repentance. With your grace and mercy that forgives us. With your love that binds us. With your peace that calms us. With your touch that heals us. With your joy that fills us. Have us know and believe that you are our God, and we are your children.

Lord,

In the midst of struggles, and oftentimes despite all evidence to the contrary, you are working to help, to encourage, to lift up, to shape, to renew and to fill us up with You.

Have us walk forward each day while looking backward in faith. Faith in you, and your saving work on the cross and in your resurrection. Faith in you, so even in hard and anxious times, we may see and celebrate the moments of light that only you can author. 

Faith in you, and peacein our unity in You, in one body, one Spirit, one hope, one faith, one light, one baptism, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came to be and in whom we live.

Faith in you, Jesus, in whom all the Promises of God are “Yes”:

That you will never forsake us.

That though our flesh and hearts might fail, you are our Rock and our portion forever.

That you will be with us always.

That you have made us new, are making us new, and will one day fully make us new.

In your mighty name we pray, 

AMEN.

Pastor Jason’s Prayer - March 16th

Almighty, merciful, and gracious God,

Before we take in the countless loud and distracting voices of the day, have us hear, in these early hours, the voice of our Creator and Redeemer. Awaken our ears to hear your Word of light, love, and life. You show yourself to be our God because you do not remain silent, but you speak to us, in song, in the proclamation of your Word, and in your body and blood.

Speak, Lord, and rest us in place, here where you’ve planted us, living in the hour that is at hand. Evict all of the anxieties, worries, fears, and doubts of this world that cloud our minds and hearts. Create in us a clean heart, a receiving heart turned to you. You who are present now, and you, who has something you will do, now, through the proclamation of your living and active Word.

Speak, Lord Jesus, and wash over each and every one of us with your compassion and peace. Keep us in your grip today and every day. Hold fast to our hearts with your words that though there is tribulation in this world, you have overcome the world. Rest us in your assurance that you do not leave us alone in the sin and struggles of this world and our own hearts, having taken them as your own on the cross. Hold fast with your blood bought promise that in this groaning creation you are speaking and invading and making all things new and right. 

And rest us in hope. Because in You our salvation and the salvation of the world has come, is active now, and will come again.

AMEN.

Pastor Jason’s Prayer - March 9th

Almighty and merciful God,

By your Holy Spirit you’ve drawn each and every one of us here this morning. The gathering of this church is your work. You are the God of light and love and we pray you continue to shine your light to us, in us, through us, and despite us into a world desperate for light.

Lord,

Just as you’ve drawn us here by the Holy Spirit, continue to pour out your Spirit this morning; to convict us of our sin, yes, but to lead us to the Son, so we may be set free in the Son. As we go about our days, may the Holy Spirit work through us in the freedom that we have in Christ. Work through us to be who you would have us be. Cause us to be bearers of your image. Cause us to be your hands and feet in service to our neighbors. In the midst of the world’s tension cause us instead to be deliverers of your sabbath rest. In the midst of the world’s uncertainty, cause us to be deliverers of the certainty of your fulfilled promises in Christ. The promise of your presence and help in the midst of temptations and struggles. The promise that you know your plans for us and they are good. The promise that you are constantly crashing in your kingdom light in the here and now, and one day soon you will restore all things

So turn us from our sinful ways and rest us in you, not regretting and reliving the sins of the past, which you have forgiven and forgotten, nor worried and anxious about the future, which you hold in your hands. Have us live instead in thanksgiving in the gift of this present moment. Turn us to you, that we might then be turned to pour out love and compassion to those you bring near us. 

It’s in the mighty and merciful name of Jesus Christ we pray,

AMEN.

Pastor Jason’s Prayer - Ash Wednesday

Almighty God,

In Christ, lifted high on the cross, you show us the price paid for our own sin. 

Our own towering pride, nailed to the tree. 

Our arrogant elevation of our own self-sufficiency, nailed to the tree. 

Our belief in and pursuit of our own kingdoms, our own way, nailed to the tree. 

King Jesus,

Repent us, turn us to you. You who took all of our struggles, all of our idolatry, all of our unbelief, all of our scheming self-justification, all of our sin as your own. Our sin, exchanged for your righteousness. By your mercy we are crucified with you, so that in you we might have forgiveness and your eternal resurrection life.

By the light of your Word we see the dark mark of our sin. Yet by the light of your Word and the sign of the cross on our foreheads and tattooed on our hearts we are also marked with forgiveness and new life in You.

Have us know that the ashes that mark our foreheads tonight are not for show. They are a preached proclamation, not a mark of pride nor of shame, but of humility and hope in you. A sobering reminder of the truth of our mortality, ashes to ashes and dust to dust. Yet also a Spirit breathed confession of hope, because You do beautifulthings with dust, You breathe life into dust.

So we are marked as those who were once children of the darkness, now rescued at the cross and out of the empty tomb as children of the Lord of Light.

In your gracious and mighty name we pray,

AMEN.

Pastor Jason’s Prayer - March 2nd

Lord,

Our hearts and minds so easily get tempted, distracted, and turned by the unceasing tide of voices all around us. Speak, Lord, that by your Word our hearts may again be turned to you. From the heart that swallowed up the hatred of the world on the cross, pour into and out of us love. From the heart that ate the bitter lies of the world on the cross, pour into and out of us truth. From the heart that bore the wrath we deserve on the cross, pour into and out of us forgiveness. 

Turn our hearts from our own self-righteousness and plant us as oaks of your righteousness. Proclaiming wholeness in you, in a world that seeks only to divide. Proclaiming healing in you, in a world that is quick to wound. Proclaiming honor in you, in a world that seeks only to shame. Proclaiming salvation in you, in a world that seems to shout only condemnation. 

God, through your word, the universe came into being. With your same word, speak into each of us the fullness of renewal and restoration we receive in the crucified, risen, and living Christ. It’s in His name we pray,

AMEN.

Pastor Jason’s Prayer - Feb 23rd

Gracious, living and everlasting Lord,

This world is desperate for your healing. We are desperate for your healing, for your light, for your mercy. Let us not be satisfied with the mercy we’ve been granted in you yet tightfisted in flowing that mercy to others. Let us not be content to be served by you, yet slow and grudging in sacrificial service to those around us. Let us not be stingy with grace and forgiveness for others, when you have been so radically generous with us. 

We who have been forgiven much can find ourselves sitting around expecting much from others. Move us from that place where we love to judge and are possessed only by a hard hearted desire for our version of justice. Move us to that place where we love mercy and possess a desire to see people live in the resurrection life found in you. Hold to your promises and move us back and replant our feet under your cloak of righteousness and give us a new and merciful heart. A heart that is poor in spirit that it might be filled with your spirit, a heart that is meek that it might receive your kingdom, a heart that hungers for your righteousness and not our own.

Shine your face upon us, and search our hearts to reveal those we hide our faces from. When we are turned inward with our own anxieties and fears, turn us to you in prayer, with every petition, and with thanksgiving that we might be made bearers of your light in this world. Bearers of your mercy, of your grace, of your forgiveness. Bearers of the truth that you are a stronghold in times of trouble, a stronghold for the weary. That you do not forget the cries of the afflicted, nor forsake those who seek you. Renew our hearts that we might trust in your steadfast love, that our hearts might rejoice in your salvation, and our souls sing, for you have dealt bountifully with us in your Son. It is in his name we pray.

AMEN.

Pastor Jason’s Prayer - Feb 16th

Merciful Father,

Thank you for this day, yet another day when we are reminded that your mercies are new every morning. In your graciousness, and by your Holy Spirit, you bless us with this time and place of sanctuary and rest in your Son.

This day and every day, renew our hearts, Lord. Renew our hearts in Jesus Christ. 

When we are in doubt, renew our hearts with His assurance and confidence. 

When we are exhausted, anxious, or fearful, renew our hearts with His peace. 

When our nerves are frayed and we are quick to anger, renew our hearts with his patience and forgiveness. 

When we are caught up in the world’s fractures and division, renew our hearts with His spirit of reconciliation. 

When we are unfaithful, renew our hearts with His faithfulness.

When we are lost in the depths of despair, renew our hearts with the truth that Christ does not toss us a rope of religion or a ladder of pious performance to climb out on our own. Rather he shows up in our deepest and darkest moments and dives into the depths with us to give us his gift of relieving mercy, to give us Himself. 

So in all things we wait for the Lord, our souls wait, and in His word we hope. Guide us in your truth and teach us by your Word this morning, for you are God our Savior, and our hope is in You. Give us assurance by your Word that you know your plans for us; plans for healing, plans of help and hope, plans of restoration in Jesus Christ, in whom all God’s plans and promises are fulfilled. 

AMEN.