Almighty, gracious, and merciful God,
Be here with us this morning as we are gathered by your Holy Spirit. Reach out your long arm of grace. Reach out with your love that binds us. With your peace that calms us. With your touch that heals us. With your joy that fills us. With your arms that hold us. Have us know and believe that you are our God, and we are your children.
Lord,
In the midst of struggles have us know that you are Lord of ALL things, always working to help, to encourage, to lift, to shape, to renew and to fill us up with You.
Have us walk forward each day while looking backward in faith. Faith in you, and your saving work on the cross and in your resurrection. Faith in you, so even in hard and anxious times, we may see and celebrate the moments of light that only you can author.
Faith in you, and peace in our unity in You, in one body, one Spirit, one hope, one faith, one light, one baptism, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came to be and in whom we live.
Faith in you, Jesus, in whom all the Promises of God are “Yes”:
That you will never forsake us.
That though our flesh and hearts might fail, you are our Rock and our portion forever.
That you will be with us always.
That you make us new, are making us new, and one day will fully make us new.
In your mighty name we pray,
AMEN.