Pastor Jason’s Prayer - Feb 6th

Almighty God,

Thank you for this glorious day, yet another day when we are reminded that your mercies are new every 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. Thank you for the opportunity to just sit and rest  in you, Lord. Right where you've placed each of us. Settle the worries and anxieties in our minds and hearts, that we may simply be present to receive your mercy and grace.

Lord,

We so easily get distracted and turned by the unceasing tide of voices all around us. Speak, Lord. Let us hear and listen to your voice. From the heart that swallowed up the hatred of the world on the cross, pour into and out of us love. From the heart that ate the bitter lies of the world on the cross, pour into and out of us truth. From the heart that bore the wrath we deserve on the cross, pour into and out of us forgiveness. 

Turn our hearts from our own self-righteousness and plant us as oaks of your righteousness. Proclaiming wholeness in you, in a world that seeks only to divide. Proclaiming healing in you, in a world that is quick to wound. Proclaiming honor in you, in a world that seeks only to shame. Proclaiming salvation in you, in a world that seems to shout only condemnation. 

God, through your word, the universe came into being. With your same word, speak into each of us the fullness of renewal and restoration we receive in the crucified and risen Christ. It’s in His name we pray,

AMEN.

Pastor Jason’s Prayer - Jan 30th

Almighty God,

We thank you for the freedom and opportunity we have to come together in fellowship in You. We thank you for the refuge we have in You and for this church family, whom you’ve gathered by the Holy Spirit, to receive your gifts this morning. Lord, we ask that you continue to bless and sustain us through all the ups and downs of life.

Lord,

By the light of your Word we see the dark mark of our sin. Yet by the light of your Word we are also marked with forgiveness and new life. Let us be marked not for sorrow, but marked as one who is claimed by the “man of sorrows”. Let us be marked not for our shame, but marked by the Holy One who was shamed by the world that He might save it.

King Jesus,

So often we fall to temptation, and bear the fruit of sin: hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy. Be the friend and pardoner of sinners. In your mercy turn us, repent us, faith us, forgive us, renew us. Remind us that we are marked with your name, and stir your Holy Spirit within us that we might instead bear the fruit of love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

In your mighty and gracious name,

AMEN.

Pastor Jason’s Prayer - Jan 23rd

Almighty God,

We praise and thank you for this day. For your good and beautiful creation we see all around us. We thank you for all the blessings you bestow on us. May this truth be always on our hearts: that the God who breathed and spoke this world into being, in love, He created, made, and formed each and every one of us.

Lord,

Whether we use words, or can only summon a silent sigh to heaven, you promise to answer our prayers. You answer with the assurance that You uphold the entire universe by your word and power, and yet you know us. Even to the number of hairs on our head. 

Sometimes this life is very hard, and it can feel like a struggle to keep our head above water. When our hearts feel stretched... or empty, rest us in the truth that You are as near to us as our next breath. And rest us in the truth that in the midst of life’s struggles, you are working to help, to refresh, to reconcile, and to restore. 

King Jesus,

For those of us who are falling, hold us up. For those of us who are bowed down with sickness, grief or loneliness, raise us up. For all of us whose hearts are hungry, fill us. Hold fast with your blood bought promise that in this groaning creation you are invading and making all things new...and right. Recreating your creation and creatures as they are supposed to be. Rest us in the truth that there is no distance between what you say, and what IS. You are with us always. You declare us forgiven, righteous, and new. And so we are.

In your mighty name we pray,

AMEN.

Pastor Jason’s Prayer - Jan 16th

Lord,

By your Word all things were created, each in its allotted space and time. By your Word, pour out your Spirit here this morning, and settle our worried minds and hearts. As we take in the countless voices around us, have us hear the voice above all voices, the voice of our Creator and Redeemer. Waken our ears to hear. Make us vessels to be convicted by your Word. Make us vessels to receive peace from your Word. A peace that is deeper and richer than anything we can imagine. Peace in the mercy of Christ, peace in the grace of Christ, peace in the forgiveness we have in Christ.

King Jesus,

When we find ourselves exhausted by the distractions of this world, when we find ourselves exhausted by the often conflicting obligations, and the spiraling expectations of this world, be our sabbath. Be our rest. Rest us in your promise that a bruised reed you will not break, a faintly burning wick you will not quench, and a hungry heart you fill with the bread of life. 

If we find ourselves parched for joy in the midst of troubles, in the midst of our own sin, pour your Word into us, and remind us that we are soaked in the living waters of baptism. Remind us that you have made us new in you, that you have marked us and sealed us with your name. 

All this we pray, in the mighty name of Jesus the Christ.

AMEN.

Pastor Jason’s Prayer - Jan 9th

Almighty God,

As each new day dawns, grant us comfort in you. Grant us the comfort that whatever the age, whatever the season, whatever the challenges and struggles, your children are in your hands, the One who is the beginning and the end. The One who opens the door to eternal life, the door that no one can shut. 

Lord,

You draw us to you and confront us with your Word. You draw us to you and comfort us with your Word. You draw us to you and confront us with our sin that we may be comforted by your grace. You draw us to you and we are confronted and comforted with the cross. 

In Christ, lifted on the perch of the cross, we see the frailty of our own lofty perch. 

Our own towering pride, nailed to the tree. 

The arrogant elevation of our own self-sufficiency, nailed to the tree. 

Our belief in and pursuit of our own kingdoms and our own righteousness, nailed to the tree. 

King Jesus,

On the cross You have taken all of our pride, all of our idolatry, all of our unbelief, all of our sin as your own. By your mercy we are crucified with you, so that in you we have your resurrection life. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”

Rest us Lord, in the truth that you are the God of our salvation yesterday, today, and forever.

AMEN.

Pastor Jason’s Prayer - Dec 26th

Almighty God,

We thank you for gathering us by the Holy Spirit, to receive your gifts this morning. The gift of your fulfilled promise in the coming of our Savior, the gift of forgiveness and the gift of new life in your son Jesus Christ. Fill us with your Spirit that we might share, in thanks and joy, the countless blessings you bestow on your creation and your children as you crash in the light and hope of your reign, today and every day.

King Jesus,

In a world of daily stresses, struggles, distractions, doubts and temptations, stir up the good news in our hearts to rest our hope in you and your work through those ordinary things through which you work your extraordinary act of salvation and comfort. Those ordinary and seemingly undignified things where you promise to be. Hope in you here, in the midst of your body, the church, dwelling in the person to our left and right. Hope in you, here, where you take action in our lives through your Word in song and your Word proclaimed from the lips of another. Hope in you, here, in ordinary bread and wine, which by your word is a foretaste of the kingdom feast to come, and which by your word delivers your very body and blood for our renewal and the strengthening of our faith. Hold fast to us, fill us with your peace, fill us with your grace and mercy.

All this we pray in your holy name.

AMEN.

Pastor Jason’s Prayer - Christmas Eve

Almighty God,

In your grace and mercy, and on account of your son Jesus Christ and by your Holy Spirit, you bless us with unity in you, and unity with each other. Whether gathered side by side, or separated by distance, time, or troubles, we are one in you. And you bless us by turning us to you. Hear our prayer Lord through your Son, our mediation and our mediator. 

Lord,

On Christmas, and every day, fill us with wonder at the nearness of our God. 

The Creator of the universe, entering into His creation as a helpless child; the moment when joy and hopeful expectation meet, the fulfilled promise of a savior. “Behold, your king is coming to you, righteous and having salvation is he. Comfort, comfort my people, says our God, the glory of the Lord has been revealed”.

Fill us with wonder at the nearness of our God, Emmanuel, “God with us”. For unto us a Child is born, a Son is given. Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

The great I AM born in the flesh, dwelling among us, for us. The great I AM who walked with Adam and Eve in the garden, dirtied his feet in Galilee, and bloodied His feet on the cross. The unique Son of God, seated at the right hand of the Father, yet as near to us as our next breath. The Righteous One, who shared our weakness and temptation, yet did not sin. Fill us with wonder at the nearness of our God, Jesus Christ, friend of sinners, who has adopted us into His perfect Sonship as full heirs of His Kingdom. Have us hear His voice and BELIEVE:

 “I am the Word made flesh. In me is life, life that is the light of all mankind. My light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not and cannot overcome it. I am the Word made flesh, for you. I am with you tonight, I am with you tomorrow, I am with you always.”

 AMEN.

Pastor Jason’s Prayer - Dec 19th

Creator God, author of life, author and perfecter of our faith,

We praise and thank you for the great wonders you have sent us: for the shining star that points to the Way, for the infant's cry in a lowly manger, for the Light’s quiet invasion into the darkness of this world in the Word made flesh as a little child, and for the resounding angels’ song which we hear alongside the shepherds of long ago. 

King Jesus,

In you, the incomprehensible nature of God is comprehended enough, for in you the fullness of God dwells. In the One who is Justice, Mercy, Grace and Life itself, we have justice, mercy, grace, and life, for us. Because in you, God’s promise of salvation and restoration is fulfilled. In you God’s love is made manifest. We bring our sin, sorrows, fears, worry, and grief to you, Lord. And you have us surrender them at your feet, at the foot of the cross, where the cracks of our brokenness are filled with the purified gold of the blood of the Lamb. 

Stir up your power, Lord, and come. Come and help us by your mighty word, that the sins and burdens that weigh us down may be lifted by your love, grace and mercy. 

For unto us a Child is born, a Son is given. Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace, entered into the world, so that He might make us new, so that He might make all things new. 

 AMEN.

Pastor Jason’s Prayer - Dec 12th

Almighty God, we offer you thanks and praise this morning. We thank you for the miracle of this church family, whom you’ve gathered by your Holy Spirit, to receive your gifts this morning. 

Lord, You sent your Son into the world to shine light into the darkness. Crash your light into this world, into this place, and into our hearts. 

Shine your light so we might see your resurrection life at work in our midst. In your beautiful creation we see all around us, have us see the reflection and foretaste of your new creation to come. 

Have us rejoice in the adventure of the resurrection life with friends, family, and neighbors through whom you walk with us, love us, guide us, comfort us, and serve us. 

Lord, in the midst of the uncertainty and anxiety of this life, we are often filled with doubt. Lord, open your heart to hear our prayer, “I believe; help thou my unbelief.” Make us an Advent people, trusting not in ourselves, but patiently waiting and resting in the God who promises to save. Emmanuel, “God with us”, the shoot that comes forth from Jesse’s stump, the branch of righteousness, the tested Stone and Cornerstone, the sure Foundation. Give us assurance by your Word that you know your plans for us; plans for healing, plans of hope, plans of restoration in Christ, in whom all God’s plans and promises are fulfilled. 

AMEN.

Pastor Jason’s Prayer - Dec 5th

Almighty God,

God of majesty and power, who spoke and this world was, who breathed and this world lived, yet who knows us to the number of hairs upon our head. You see our thoughts and read our hearts yet love us beyond measure, sending your one and only Son into the world, not to condemn it, but that the world might be saved through Him. We turn to you in thanks and praise for sustaining us, holding us close, and drawing us together in fellowship in You and with each other.

God of hope, who brought love into this world in your Son, be the love that dwells between us.

God of hope, who brought peace into this world in your Son, be the peace that dwells between us.

God of hope, who brought joy into this world in your Son, be the joy that dwells between us.

God of hope, the rock we stand upon, be our firm foundation, anchoring us in the Good News.

The good news that in beautiful slavery to Christ, there is liberty from the bondage of sin.

The good news that in a world full of condemnation, in Christ, there is grace and mercy for the sinner.

The good news that in the stable, on the cross, in the empty tomb, in the promise of Christ’s return there is hope for the hopeless.

The good news that for the brokenhearted, in Christ, there is joy in a time or place of sorrow. Anoint us with the oil of joy, poured out in the precious blood of the Anointed One, the Word made flesh, entered into the world to save it.

AMEN.

Pastor Jason’s Prayer - Nov 28th

Almighty God,

In your graciousness, and by your Holy Spirit, you bless us with sanctuary and rest in your son Jesus Christ. You bless us by calling and drawing us to you and to unity with each other.

King Jesus,

In our daily struggle with our own sin, the darkness in this world can make it seem like there is no hope. In the midst of our struggles, comfort us with the truth that you are active in the “here and now” through your Word and your body and blood. Comfort us with the truth that it is precisely into our struggles where you enter, in order to help us, and to carry us in hope.Turn us to you in hope, Lord

“Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey”. 

In this Advent season as we celebrate and reflect on your entry into your creation to save it, spark our hearts to shout along with the church eternal at your coming and your promised return, “Hosanna!”, “Save us!” Remind us that when we shout “Hosanna!” it is out of our need for salvation, but also in faith that in you, we are already saved. Saved from the clutches of sin, death, and the devil. For the King we welcome is the humble Servant King, the King who willingly bears the wrath of God in our stead, that by His blood we are adopted into His perfect Sonship as full heirs of His Kingdom.

Amen.

Pastor Jason’s Prayer - Nov 21st

Almighty God,

Before we take in the countless voices of the day, have us hear, in these early hours, the voice of our Creator and Redeemer. Renew our hearts and minds this morning and make us vessels to receive your gifts. 

Lord,

There are moments and seasons when we find that we have been consumed by entitlement before you and the world; consumed by our own self-interest, our ambition, our fear, our pride, our desire to control, our anger in the face of circumstances out of our control. When you cause our own hearts to declare and admit our guilt and helplessness, come close. 

Come close and by your Word turn our hearts from entitlement to gratitude. Gratitude for a grace that knows no bounds, extending to the entire world, extending to each and every one of us. Gratitude for a faith authored and perfected by Christ and gifted to each and every one of us. Gratitude for a love that indeed endures forever. Forever rescuing, forever renewing, forever guiding, forever helping. Gratitude for the person and work of Jesus Christ, through whom, by his mercy and grace, we receive forgiveness, renewal, and restoration.

King Jesus,

Have us hear your voice as it cuts through the noise and expectations of the world and our own hearts. Bring to our sinfulness the cleansing waters of your forgiveness. Bring to our brokenness, your divine blood which fills the fractures of our souls. Bring to our weakness, your perfect strength. Bring to our dark self righteousness, the light of your righteousness, that we may walk, not in glib optimism, but in thanksgiving and the sure and steadfast hope found and rooted in you, Christ the King, the great “Yes” of all God’s promises.

Amen.

Pastor Jason’s Prayer - Oct 31st

Merciful, gracious, compassionate Lord,

As you’ve drawn us here by the Holy Spirit we ask that you make this church a place of refuge, a place of renewal, a place of Gospel rest. Free us from the lie that we can and need to earn your favor and our righteousness before you. Graciously close every loophole of self-sufficiency we try to squeeze through. Close those loopholes so we may know only Christ alone and him crucified, and that it is by the gift of faith in Him and His works we are made righteous, not by our own.

King Jesus,

In a world churning with manufactured urgency and busyness, in a world overrun with moralistic scorekeeping, in a world steeped in self-righteousness of every flavor but lacking in confession and repentance, in a world long on condemnation but short on forgiveness, reach out your long arm of grace. A grace that is love that is gentle with a doubting heart. A grace that is love whose power is made perfect in our weakness. A grace that is love that seeks us out when we have nothing to give in return. A grace that loves us so much, that you took on flesh and entered your creation as one of us, so that from the cross and through the empty tomb you might save us.

Reach out your long arm of grace, a grace that speaks, “Rest. Be comforted. Stop trying to save yourselves, I have already done it. It is finished.”

All this, we pray in your mighty name,

AMEN.

Pastor Jason’s Prayer - Oct 24th

Almighty God,

Be light for us, today and everyday. Send your Holy Spirit to be the spark that rises in the darkness we might find ourselves in.

Your Spirit hovers over us, gives us the very breath of life, and lives in us. To enliven us, to teach us, to instruct us, to lead us. To show us the Son, that we may be set free in the Son. 

By the power of your Word this morning, shatter the bondage of self in which we are chained. Renew our hearts in Jesus Christ to show kindness, patience, compassion and love to all those in need, which is each and every one of us. 

King Jesus,

In pouring out your lifeblood on the cross, you poured out your love into this world in rivers of free flowing grace. 

This world, and our own hearts, would have us make enemies of our neighbor. You would have us say, “Forgive them Father, for they know not what they do.” 

Turn our hearts. Turn us, Lord, and make us humble receivers.  Receivers of you, the Great Giver.

Give peace, that we might be peacemakers

Give forgiveness, that we might be forgivers

Give love, that we might love the unlovable, just as you love us

Give mercy, that we might be merciful

Give us your merciful heart Lord. 

In the name of the One whose name is above ALL names, In the name of Jesus the Christ,

AMEN.

Pastor Jason’s Prayer - Oct 17th

Almighty God,

In your graciousness, and by your Holy Spirit, you bless us with this time and place of rest and renewal in your son Jesus Christ. You bless us by inviting us to pour out our hearts and minds. Hear our prayer Lord through your Son. Grant us the comfort that you are sovereign and that in you we find hope, mercy, grace, peace and love. 

Lord,

In this busy world, we have so many worries and struggles we try to handle and overcome on our own. The heavy burden of the world’s obligations. The world’s confusing and conflicting expectations. All of the needs and temptations and hurts and frustrations and heartache and restlessness we find ourselves in. We can feel alone. We can feel lost. We can feel unseen. We all long to be seen.

But you see us. You are the God who sees. You know exactly where we are and you come to us in the midst of our struggles. You come to us through your Word here this morning. You come to us through your body and blood here this morning. You come to us through the indwelling of your Spirit and the light you shine through our brothers and sisters. 

King Jesus,

See us, interrupt our restlessness and give us rest. See us, invade and fulfill our needs as only you can. See us in our afflictions, and turn us to the cross where you took all of our hurts, frustrations, failure, sin and heartache as your own. 

See us, and shower us with your grace and your mercy and your peace.

In the name of the God who sees, in the name of Jesus Christ the King of Kings,

AMEN.

Pastor Jason’s Prayer - Oct 10th

Almighty God,

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. We thank you for the miracle of this church family. Each and every one of us whom you’ve gathered by your Holy Spirit to receive your gifts this morning. To receive forgiveness. To receive peace. To receive new life. To receive reconciliation with you and with each other in the person and work of Jesus Christ. To receive rest.

Lord,

In a world that sometimes seems short on hope, have us pause to reflect that you carry and deliver hope in the most unlikely ways and into the most undignified places. Turn us to Christ in hope. 

Hope in the creator of the universe, who entered into His creation not in glory, but in the filth of a stable. Hope in the King of kings, who came to us not in the purple robes of earthly royalty, but cloaked in the fragility of flesh. Hope in the God who does not remain far away, but who’s divine footprints marked the dusty roads of His creation.

Hope in the author of love, who knows and has felt our pain and weakness and reaches out to wipe away our tears. Hope in the fount of joy, who knows grief and comforts the sorrowful. Hope in the friend of sinners, who sees sin yet loves the sinner so much that He took our sins as His own on the cross. Hope in the Word made flesh, who by His speaking here today forgives, enlivens, and restores everyone who hears.

AMEN.

Pastor Jason’s Prayer - Oct 3rd

Almighty God,

In your graciousness, and on account of your son Jesus Christ and by your Holy Spirit, you bless us with unity with you, and unity with each other as one body. Whether gathered side by side, or separated by distance, time, opinions, or troubles, we are one in you. And you bless us by turning us to you. Hear our prayer, Lord, through your Son.

King Jesus,

There are times, the darkness in this world can make it seem like there is no light. 

When we are walking in darkness, or bombarded and overwhelmed by the flood of news of darkness, have us listen and hear your voice, “I am the light of the world”.

When we are kneeling in weakness, have us listen and hear your voice, “In your weakness, my power is made perfect.”

When we are burdened by fear and worry, have us listen and hear your voice, “Do not be afraid, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the Kingdom.” 

In the midst of uncertainty, change, and disruption in our lives, we are often filled with doubt. Lord, open your heart to our prayer, “I believe; help my unbelief.” Give us assurance by your Word that you know your plans for us; plans for healing, plans of hope, plans of renewal and restoration in you, in whom all God’s plans and promises are fulfilled. 

All this we pray in the name of our friend, our comforter, our redeemer, our King, Jesus Christ.

AMEN.

Pastor Jason’s Prayer - Sept 19th

Almighty God,

God of majesty and power, who spoke and this world was, who breathed and this world lived, yet who knows us to the number of hairs upon our head. You see our thoughts and read our hearts yet love us beyond measure, sending your one and only Son into the world, not to condemn it, but that the world might be saved through Him. We turn to you in thanks and praise for sustaining us, holding us close, and drawing us together in fellowship in You and with each other.

God of hope, who brought love into this world in your Son, be the love that dwells between us and in us.

God of hope, who brought peace into this world in your Son, be the peace that dwells between us and in us.

God of hope, who brought joy into this world in your Son, be the joy that dwells between us and in us.

God of hope, the rock we stand upon, be our firm foundation, anchoring us in the Good News.

The good news that in the cross, in the empty tomb, there is hope for the hopeless.

The good news that in beautiful slavery to Christ, there is liberty from the bondage of sin and death.

The good news that in a world full of condemnation, in Christ, there is grace for the sinner.

The good news that for the brokenhearted, in Christ, there is joy in a time or place of sorrow. Anoint us with the oil of joy, poured out in the precious blood of the Anointed One, the Word made flesh, entered into the world to save it.

AMEN.

Pastor Jason’s Prayer - Sept 12th

Almighty God,

We thank you for the freedom we have to come together in fellowship in You. We thank you for this place of refuge and for this church family, whom you’ve gathered by the Holy Spirit, to receive your gifts this morning. To receive forgiveness, restoration, and new life in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Lord, we ask that you be the shield around us as you continue to gather us, feed us, bless us and sustain us.

Settle our busy and restless minds and hearts this morning. Make us vessels to receive your promise of a peace that is deeper and richer than anything we can imagine. Peace in Jesus Christ. Peace that passes all understanding.

Lord, You say “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them”. Today we rejoice that we get to witness and participate in your baptism of little Griffin Paul. We get to witness and celebrate as you grow your church and your Kingdom. We get to witness and celebrate visible, tangible Gospel, as you seal him with, and in, your mighty name. Gifting faith into his heart, pouring in your Spirit, and creating his life anew.

Lord, Cause each of us to remember our own baptism today and everyday. As an event in history, in our story, when we were grafted in to your history and your story. Have us remember that in baptism you are keeping your promises, capturing and claiming us as full heirs of your kingdom by grace alone, through faith alone, on account of you and your work alone.

Rest us in the truth that in baptism we have been buried with Christ into His death, and we do not have to be afraid of the tomb in which we will one day rest, because you have already been there. In your gift of Holy Baptism we pass through your grave and into your resurrection.

Have us hear the fulfilled promise you spoke through St. Paul: “You are the children of God through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.”

All this we pray in the mighty name of Jesus Christ the crucified, Jesus Christ the Risen, Jesus Christ the Living, Jesus Christ the reigning King of Kings.

AMEN.

Pastor Jason’s Prayer - Aug 29th

Heavenly Father, 

There are times when the darkness around us and our personal struggles with the darkness within us can make it seem like there is no light. In your mercy, crash your light into the darkness. By your Word, scatter the dark clouds with showers of your grace. In the midst of our daily struggles you call us here by the Holy Spirit, and you bless us with this time and place of sanctuary and rest in your son Jesus Christ. Turn us to you. Hear our prayer Father, through your Son, our mediator and our mediation.

Lord,

Out of fear, we so easily get distracted and turned from you by the overwhelming tide of voices all around us. Loud and self seeking voices that elevate anger, resentment, and self-righteousness. Voices which would have us declare our neighbors as our enemies, and call it virtue. Voices which we so often gladly join, in a resounding chorus of self-righteousness. Where these voices and our own hearts cry “War!”, turn our hearts and tongues to declare peace. Where the world and our own hearts double down on the pain and wounds of this life, turn our hearts and tongues to proclaim the healing balm of the Good News of Christ’s reign.

King Jesus,

We confess we so often fall to temptation, and bear the fruit of sin: hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy. Be the Christ for us. Remind us that we are marked with the name of God Most High, and stir the Holy Spirit within us that we might instead bear the fruit of love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

Be the friend and pardoner of sinners. In your mercy turn us, repent us, faith us, forgive us, renew us, and lead us that we might walk in your ways.

In your mighty and gracious name,

AMEN.