Pastor Jason’s Prayer - March 6th

Almighty and merciful God,

In your graciousness, and on account of your son Jesus Christ and by your Holy Spirit, you bless us by gathering us in your name. And you bless us by turning us to you. We are drawn to your feet in worship, your creation facing its creator. Our hearts laid bare by your light, asking for your mercy. We come to you as a people in need of assurance and forgiveness. We come to you as a people in need of healing and wholeness. We come dependent upon your love. Have us trust in your promises.

Hear our prayer Lord through your Son. 

King Jesus,

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

When we are walking in 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, have us listen and hear your voice, “Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the Kingdom.” 

Where we are restless and anxious, and turned in on ourselves instead of outward in love and compassion, speak your peace into us, and over us. Cling to us with your words: “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” 

In the midst of our struggles, comfort us with the truth that you are active in the “here and now”. Comfort us with the truth that it is precisely into our struggles where you enter, in order to help us. And comfort us with the truth that it is precisely into our struggles where you enter, in order to carry us in hope.

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

AMEN.

Pastor Jason’s Prayer - Ash Wednesday

Lord,

You draw us here and confront us and comfort us with your Word. You draw us here and confront us with our sin and comfort us with your grace. 

You draw us here and confront us and comfort us with the cross. 

In Christ, exalted on the cross, we see the price paid for our own sin. 

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, our own way, nailed to the tree. 

King Jesus,

You have taken all of our struggles, all of our idolatry, all of our unbelief, all of our scheming self-justification, all of our sin as your own. By your mercy we are crucified with you, so that in you we might have your resurrection life.

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 in your blood.

Repent us Lord, with the assurance that your Kingdom is at hand. 

Have us see that this is the one day of the year we get to see the cross of our baptism traced on our foreheads. Have us know that the ashes that mark our foreheads are not for show. They are a preached proclamation. A terrifying reminder of the truth of our mortality, ashes to ashes and dust to dust. Yet they are also a Spirit breathed confession of hope, because God breathes life into dust.

So we are marked as children of the darkness, rescued to become children of the Lord of Light.

In the gracious and mighty name of Jesus Christ,

AMEN.

Pastor Jason’s Prayer - Feb 27th

Almighty and merciful God,

God of majesty and power, who spoke and this world was, God who breathed and this world lived, yet who knows us to the number of hairs upon our head. You know 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 to receive your gifts this morning.

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

God of joy, 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 the stable, 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.

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.

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

Stir our hearts, stir the hearts of our leaders, and the leaders of all nations. May we pursue the path that seeks to prevent and defend against needless and cruel conflict and suffering. Shape our hearts and minds. Give us a passion for justice and peace. Bring an end to the pain, suffering, injustice, and violence in our world.

We know, Lord, that absolute peace will not come until your kingdom is here in all of its fullness. But we pray for a foretaste of your reign. We long for the day when things are the way they are supposed to be. When people will “beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore” (Isa. 2:4).

May your kingdom come, Lord, and your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven!

All this we pray in the name Jesus Christ,

AMEN.

Pastor Jason’s Prayer - Feb 20th

Merciful Father,

In your graciousness, and on account of your son Jesus Christ and by the Holy Spirit, you bless us with unity with you, and unity with each other. And you bless us by turning us to you, as all good gifts come from our heavenly Father. Hear our prayer Lord through your Son, our mediation and our mediator. 

This day and every day, renew our hearts, Lord. Renew our hearts in Jesus Christ. 

When we are in doubt, renew our hearts with His assurance and confidence. 

When we are anxious and fearful, renew our hearts with His peace. 

When our nerves are frayed and we are quick to anger, renew our hearts with his patience and forgiveness. 

When we revel in fractures and division, renew our hearts with His spirit of reconciliation. 

When we are unfaithful, renew our hearts with His faithfulness.

Show us your ways, Lord, teach us your paths. Guide us in your truth and teach us by your Word, for you are God our Savior, and our hope is in You.

All this we pray, in the name of Jesus the Christ, the great Amen, the faithful and true witness,

AMEN.

Pastor Jason’s Prayers - Feb 13th

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.

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.