Merciful Father,
In your graciousness, and on account of your son Jesus Christ and by the Holy Spirit, you bless us with unity with you, and unity with each other. And you bless us by turning us to you, as all good gifts come from our heavenly Father above. Hear our prayer Lord through your Son, our mediation and our mediator.
This day and every day, renew our hearts, Lord. Renew our hearts in Jesus Christ.
When we are in doubt, renew our hearts with Christ’s assurance and confidence.
When we are anxious and fearful, renew our hearts with Christ’s peace.
When our nerves are frayed and we are quick to anger, renew our hearts with Christ’s patience and forgiveness.
When we see our neighbors as enemies to be defeated, as competitors for earthly success, or as a project or an agenda item to be checked off on our list of good works, renew our hearts with Christ’s love. For while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
In short, Lord, When we are unfaithful, renew our hearts with His faithfulness.
Show us your ways, Lord, teach us your paths. Guide us in your truth and teach us by your Word, for you are God our Savior, and our hope is in You.
King Jesus,
In pouring out your lifeblood on the cross, you poured out your love into this world in rivers of free flowing grace. Be gracious to us, Lord. For those of us who are falling, hold us up. For those of us who are weary with anxiety, grief, loneliness, or pain, be our rest. For those of us walking a crooked path, be the Way. For those of us walking in darkness, be the Light. For all of us whose hearts are thirsty and hungry, by your Word, fill us with living water and the bread of life.
All this we pray, in the name of Jesus the Christ, our great Amen, the faithful and true witness,
AMEN.