Come to us, Lord Jesus. Come Lord Jesus and in the midst of our struggles wash over us with your peace. Keep us in your grip. Hold fast to our hearts with your words that though there is suffering in this life you have overcome the world. Hold fast with your promises. Help the hurting to know that when we are tempted or suffering that you were tempted and suffered for us. Fortify us with the comforting truth that you know our pain because you took the sins and pains of the world as your own on the cross.
Remind us that in our weakness, your power is made perfect, and that in our weakness you are merciful. Where our hope wanes, Lord, love us back into hope again.
King Jesus,
When we are distracted and tempted by the stories the world tells, stories of greed and individualism, stories that encourage each of us to be a law unto ourselves, turn our hearts to trust that your story is now our story. You have grafted us and our lives into you, and your life. You created us, you made us, you formed us. By your Word, you gifted us with faith, and you call us by the Holy Spirit to your Word through which you continue to strengthen our faith. Strengthen our faith in you, the one who promises to reconcile us with the Father. Strengthen our faith in you, the one who calls us to sacrificial love for our neighbor. Strengthen our faith in you, the one who shines the light of salvation and restoration into the present darkness. Strengthen our faith in you, the one who promises to never drive away or forsake us in the midst of the trials of this life. Strengthen our faith in you, who promises to be with us always. Strengthen our faith in you, the one in whom all God’s promises are “Yes”.
AMEN.