Almighty God,
We thank you for the miracle of this church family. We thank you for each and every one of us whom you’ve gathered by your Holy Spirit to receive your gifts this morning. To receive refuge, renewal, restoration, and new life in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Thank you for this time and place of rest. Where we can catch our breath. Where our restless hearts find rest in you. Where we get to drink you in, the living water that gives eternal life.
King Jesus,
In a world which has so much to say and not much time for listening, you have drawn us here this morning to be still and to hear your voice.
In a world that at times, can seem soaked in hate, but is thirsty for love, pour out your word of love. In a world that is heavy with anger, but light on forgiveness, pour out your word of forgiveness.
Bind up the wounded and brokenhearted. Bless and fortify, and send the peacekeepers. Speak through your church for the forgiveness and benefit and building up of all those whom, by your word, you created, made and formed. Make us vessels of your divine light that we might be used to shine into the darkness.
Lord,
Whether we are filled with small doubts or, at times, utter hopelessness, cause us to hold fast in hope to Christ and His promises, that sure and steadfast anchor of our souls. Let us hold fast the confession of our faith and hope in Christ, for the Lord promises, and He is faithful.
Where we are restless, discontented, quick to fear and anger, turned in on ourselves instead of outward in love, speak your peace into us, and over us. Cling to us with your words: “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
Lord,
When other voices constantly drive and shape us to seek satisfaction and justification for our souls in everything and everywhere but you, turn us to you. By your Word, turn us to the cross so that by faith we might see and know that you are faithful even when we are unfaithful. Turn us to you in hope and faith in your promise that you know your plans for us, and they are good. Hope and faith in your promise that you are with us always, to the end of this age and into the kingdom to come. Hope and faith in your promise that your resurrection life is invading right here and right now this morning through your Word and your body and blood, and that soon you will make all things new.
AMEN.