God of this day and of all days,
Be here with us today as we are gathered by your Holy Spirit. Pour out your gifts, Lord. Reach out your long arm of grace. Reach out with your love that binds us, in Christ and with each other. Reach out with your peace that calms us, even in the midst of the storms of life. Reach out with your joy that fills us, even in the midst of sorrow and pain. Reach out with your touch that heals us. Reach out with your arms that hold us, now and forevermore. Have us know and believe that you are our God, and we are yours, never to be abandoned, forgotten, or forsaken.
King Jesus,
In you, the incomprehensible nature of God is comprehended enough, for in you the fullness of God dwells. In the One who is Justice, Forgiveness, Mercy, Grace and Life itself, we have justice, mercy, grace, and life, for us. Because in you, the salvation promise of God is made hard fact. We can bring nothing to you but our sin, sorrows, fears, worry, and grief, Lord, and you cause us to surrender them at at the foot of the cross, where the cracks of our brokenness are filled with the purified gold of the blood of the Lamb.
Lord,
As we step into a time in your Word together, open our ears to hear, renew our hearts to receive You and You alone, that we may be renewed, refreshed, and restored. May your Word pass from the lips of one... to every ear... to every heart...and to the life of everyone who hears. May your word achieve the purpose for which you send it in Jesus Christ our Lord.
AMEN.