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.