Almighty God,
Thank you for this glorious morning. In your graciousness, and by your Holy Spirit, you bless us with this time and place of sanctuary and rest in your son Jesus Christ. You bless us by turning us to you.Thank you for the opportunity to just sit and rest here, in you Lord. Right where you've placed each of us. Settle the chatter of worry in our minds and hearts, that we may simply be present to receive your mercy and grace.
Lord,
In the cross and empty tomb you forever free us from the bondage of our sin. But we so often crawl back into a prison of our own making. When we chain ourselves to the strife in our hearts, to the envy in our hearts, to the anger in our hearts, to the fear and worry in our hearts, speak us free again.
King Jesus,
Turn our hearts to know and believe that though we were once darkness, in you we are light. We were once slaves to sin, but who the Son sets free is free indeed. You possess us, and in beautiful unity in you we have true freedom.
Freedom from the devil
Freedom from bondage of sin
Freedom from condemnation under the Law
Freedom from fear
Freedom from death itself
Freedom to walk in the newness of life
Freedom to love
Freedom to show mercy and compassion
Freedom to forgive, as we have been forgiven
Freedom to rejoice in the adventure that is life in You.
In the name of Jesus Christ the crucified, Jesus Christ the risen,
AMEN.