Almighty and merciful God,
By your Holy Spirit you’ve drawn each and every one of us here this morning. The gathering of this church is your work. You are the God of light and love and we pray you continue to shine your light to us, in us, through us, and despite us into a world desperate for light.
Lord,
Just as you’ve drawn us here by the Holy Spirit, continue to pour out your Spirit this morning; to convict us of our sin, yes, but to lead us to the Son, so we may be set free in the Son. As we go about our days, may the Holy Spirit work through us in the freedom that we have in Christ. Work through us to be who you would have us be. Cause us to be bearers of your image. Cause us to be your hands and feet in service to our neighbors. In the midst of the world’s tension cause us instead to be deliverers of your sabbath rest. In the midst of the world’s uncertainty, cause us to be deliverers of the certainty of your fulfilled promises in Christ. The promise of your presence and help in the midst of temptations and struggles. The promise that you know your plans for us and they are good. The promise that you are constantly crashing in your kingdom light in the here and now, and one day soon you will restore all things
So turn us from our sinful ways and rest us in you, not regretting and reliving the sins of the past, which you have forgiven and forgotten, nor worried and anxious about the future, which you hold in your hands. Have us live instead in thanksgiving in the gift of this present moment. Turn us to you, that we might then be turned to pour out love and compassion to those you bring near us.
It’s in the mighty and merciful name of Jesus Christ we pray,
AMEN.