God of grace, God of mercy, God of light,
The gathering of this church family is your work, and we thank you for the blessings you pour over us. You shine to us through your word, and through your body and blood. And you shine through us, despite us, and often when we don’t even realize it. By your Holy Spirit, continue to use us and the relationships that you build, to proclaim the comfort of the Gospel. Through the hearing of your Word, cause us to love each other as you have loved us. Continue to cause us to walk with each other as we are called to, lifting each other up in prayer and encouragement.
Lord,
When we feel lonely and that you are far away, or distant, help us remember your promise that you are with us always.
When we are fearful, have us remember that in You there is no fear, because you have conquered sin, death, and the devil, and you are working to restore your creation.
Rest us in the truth that you are the light of the world, and you continuously crash your light into our darkness, because You cannot help but shine.
Whether in gladness or sorrow, with either joy or raw lament, we can call on you with “Come, Lord Jesus”. And you answer, “Yes, I Am coming quickly!”
And we can call on you for mercy.
Have mercy on us, for we are by nature sinful and unclean. We are not righteous in our thoughts, words, and deeds.
Have mercy on us, for we are full of pride. Trusting, not in you, but in ourselves. When our conscience is troubled by sin and doubt and worry we often turn, not to you, but inward and remain trapped in a prison of our own making, thinking we can balance out our sin and earn your favor by doing our best.
Have mercy on us, for we don’t love our neighbors as brothers and sisters within your good creation, but instead we so often see them 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.
Have mercy on us, for we are blind and deaf in our sin, loving the darkness in our selfish hearts instead of the light in yours.
Have mercy on us, for the sake of your son Jesus Christ the Crucified. Forgive us, renew us, and lead us. Repent us, turn us to the cross.
AMEN.