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.