Pastor Jason’s Prayer - Oct 20th

Almighty, merciful, and gracious Lord,

In the busyness of this life, in our daily struggle with our own sin, in the constant barrage of darkness, distraction and disillusionment from the voices all around us, we can find ourselves worn out, and weary.

 Yet you know how to sustain with a word those who are weary.

When we are lonely,  “Behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

When we are afraid, “Peace be with you. Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”

When we are weighed down by guilt, “Your sins are forgiven. Go, and from now on sin no more.”

When we are unsure about God’s love, “Take and eat. This is my body given for you. My blood shed for you.”

When we are weak, “I am the Good Shepherd . . . I lay down my life for the sheep. My power is made perfect in your weakness.”

When we are facing or fearing that enemy called death – “I am the Resurrection and Life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live”

So many ways we can be weary. “Come unto me all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” Lord Jesus, you speak just the right word for the weary.

You are the Word made flesh, for us. Be the Christ for us. Draw us to your Word. By your Holy Spirit, guide us by your Word and transform us through your Word. May the world know we are Christians, not by our wearied anger but by our love. May they know we are Christians, not by our wearied shouts of condemnation but by our quiet acts of mercy. May they know we are Christians, not by our wearied despair but by our hope in the midst of despair, our hope in the one who fulfills his promises of restoration right now and in the kingdom to come. May they know we are Christians by our hope in You and You alone.

It’s in your mighty name we pray,

AMEN.

Pastor Jason’s Prayer - Oct 13th

Gracious, living and everlasting Lord,

This world is desperate for your healing. We are desperate for your healing, for your light, for your mercy. Let us not be satisfied with the mercy we’ve been granted in you yet tightfisted in flowing that mercy to others. Let us not be content to be served by you, yet slow and grudging in sacrificial service to those around us. Let us not be stingy with grace and forgiveness for others, when you have been so radically generous with us. 

We who have been forgiven much can find ourselves sitting around expecting much from others. Move us from that place where we love to judge and are possessed only by a hard hearted desire for justice. Move us to that place where we love mercy and possess a desire to see people live in the resurrection life found in you. Hold to your promises and move us back and replant our feet under your cloak of righteousness and give us a new and merciful heart. A heart that is poor in spirit that it might be filled with your spirit, a heart that is meek that it might receive your kingdom, a heart that hungers for your righteousness.

Shine your face upon us, and search our hearts to reveal those we hide our faces from. When we are turned inward with our own anxieties and fears, turn us to you in prayer, with every petition, and with thanksgiving that we might be made bearers of your light in this world. Bearers of your mercy, of your grace, of your forgiveness. Bearers of the truth that you are a stronghold in times of trouble, a stronghold for the weary. That you do not forget the cries of the afflicted, nor forsake those who seek you. Renew our hearts that we might trust in your steadfast love, that our hearts might rejoice in your salvation, and our souls sing, for you have dealt bountifully with us in your Son. It is in his name we pray.

Amen.

Pastor Jason’s Prayer - Oct 6th

God of this day and of all days,

In a world which has so much to say and not much time for listening, you have drawn us here this morning to a time and place set apart to be still, to rest, and to hear the voice of our savior. 

In a world that is soaked in hate, but thirsty for love, pour out your word of love. Bind up and heal the wounded and brokenhearted. In a world that is heavy with self righteous judgment, but light on compassion and forgiveness, pour out your word of forgiveness.

Bless and fortify, and send the peacekeepers. Speak through your church for the forgiveness and benefit and building up of all those whom, by your word, you created, made and formed.

Lord,

In a world long on worry and fear, but 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 hope in Christ. 

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 fragile flesh and humility. 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 pain and weeps with us, but will one day wipe away every tear. Hope in the fount of joy, who knows grief and comforts the sorrowful. Hope in the friend of sinners, who loves the sinner, each of us, so much that He took our sins as His own on the cross. Hope in the Word made flesh, who by His speaking from the lips of His church, forgives, enlivens, and restores everyone who hears and believes.

Stir your Spirit within us that we might hear and believe.

AMEN.

Pastor Jason’s Prayer - Oct 6th

God of this day and of all days,

In a world which has so much to say and not much time for listening, you have drawn us here this morning to a time and place set apart to be still, to rest, and to hear the voice of our savior. 

In a world that is soaked in hate, but thirsty for love, pour out your word of love. Bind up and heal the wounded and brokenhearted. In a world that is heavy with self righteous judgment, but light on compassion and forgiveness, pour out your word of forgiveness.

Bless and fortify, and send the peacekeepers. Speak through your church for the forgiveness and benefit and building up of all those whom, by your word, you created, made and formed.

Lord,

In a world long on worry and fear, but 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 hope in Christ. 

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 fragile flesh and humility. 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 pain and weeps with us, but will one day wipe away every tear. Hope in the fount of joy, who knows grief and comforts the sorrowful. Hope in the friend of sinners, who loves the sinner, each of us, so much that He took our sins as His own on the cross. Hope in the Word made flesh, who by His speaking from the lips of His church, forgives, enlivens, and restores everyone who hears and believes.

Stir your Spirit within us that we might hear and believe.

AMEN.

Pastor Jason’s Prayer - Sept 29th

Lord,

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 because of who you’ve shown yourself to be, in faith, we can call on you for mercy.

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 trying our best instead of simply surrendering and trusting in you alone.

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. When we are overwhelmed by our struggles, when we feel lonely, distant in our doubt, or that you are far away, turn us to your Word to remember your promise that you are with us always.

Have mercy on us. 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 in your mercy you continuously crash your light into our darkness, because You cannot help but shine.

AMEN.

Pastor Jason‘s Prayer - Sept 15th

Almighty God,

We thank you for this church family, for each and every one of us whom you’ve gathered by your Holy Spirit to receive your gifts this morning. To receive refuge, renewal, restoration, and new life in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Thank you for this time and place of rest.

Lord,

Just as you’ve drawn us here by the Holy Spirit, continue to pour out your Spirit by your Word this morning; to convict us of our sin,that you might lead us to the Son, so we are 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, graciously but boldly bearing your image. In the midst of the world’s tension cause us instead to be deliverers of your rest. In the midst of the world’s uncertainty cause us to be deliverers of the certainty of your fulfilled promises in Christ. 

Lord,

Renew us by your Word of forgiveness that we might be living mirrors of your grace, proclaiming words not of condemnation, but of restoration in you. 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 in thanksgiving in the hour that is at hand. 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.

Pastor Jason’s Prayer - Sept 8th

God of power, who spoke and this world was, who breathed and this world lived. God of majesty, yet who knows us to the number of hairs upon our head, we call on you. 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, never forsaking us, and drawing us together in unity with You and with each other.

Create in us a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within us. Open our hearts and turn us to love the least among us, the “different”, the stranger, the outcast, the poor and the poor in spirit, those wounded by sin and wounded by the world who need the healing of your wounds just as we do. 

Create in us a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within us. When we are beset by anger or resentment, have us recall that Christ, who indeed had reason to avenge himself, instead intercedes with tears and cries of mercy upon mercy, grace upon grace. 

Create in us a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within us. Cause us to love, not in selective mercy, but with the fullness of Christ’s compassionate heart. For you show your love for us that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 

Give us the heart and spirit of Christ, that we might be His image, His hands, and His mouthpiece of the Good News of His present and eternal Kingdom.

AMEN.

Pastor Jason’s Prayer - Sept 1st

Almighty 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, and through us, in a world desperate for light.

Lord, through your Word, the universe came into being. With your same word of Good News, speak into each one of us the fullness of renewal and restoration we receive in the person and work of Jesus Christ. 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. Renew our hearts and plant us as oaks of YOUR righteousness, bearing the fruit of your Spirit: faithfulness, gentleness, love, joy and peace. 

King Jesus, friend of sinners,

Open our ears and hearts that we may hear, know and believe. Have us just sit, and rest in your healing hands, as you make us new. In this time with you, drag us to the cross, carry us through the cross, and make us alive in your resurrection. In the midst of our struggles, wrap us in the truth that you are victorious over sin, death, and the devil, and your ultimate victory is our hope. 

AMEN.

Pastor Jason’s Prayer - Aug 25th

Almighty God,

We come to you in gratitude for the undeserved  love and mercy we find in Jesus Christ and for your beautiful creation in which you’ve placed us. Only in Jesus Christ, our mediator, are we able to pray, and on account of His promises we also know that we will be heard. You speak to us through your Word, and your Holy Spirit causes us to turn and speak to you prayer.

Lord, as we enter into a time in your Word together, send the Holy Spirit. Give us the Holy Spirit, who writes the preached Word into our hearts. Where we are turned inward on ourselves, turn us to you. Give us repentant, merciful and peaceful hearts when our pride turns us away from you and against each other. Restore us, Lord, have your mercy, peace, and righteousness  win the victory in our hearts.

King Jesus,

Just a mustard seed, you said. Just a mustard seed of faith to move the mountain of doubts, sinful rebellion, and difficulties which we are often overwhelmed with in our weakness. We confess, Lord, that there are times when we reach out seemingly in vain for that mustard seed, seemingly in unanswered frustration or desperation for just a little seed of faith. 

Cause us to pause, to think for a moment, to realize the truth that in the very act of reaching out, we reveal the presence in our hearts of the very seed that we seek, the very gift of comforting, life giving faith. Faith gifted from the God who provides. Faith gifted from the God whose love is steadfast and abundant in times of trouble. Faith gifted from the God who seeks out and hunts down sinners in order to make them new. Faith gifted from the God who knows our brokenness and suffered, died and rose again that we might have His wholeness. Provide, Lord. Seek us out and hunt us down through the proclamation of your life giving Word this morning. Stir faith in our hearts and re-create us as you would have us be. Make us new and make us whole, in You.

AMEN.

Pastor Jason’s Prayer - Aug 18th

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. 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. 

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, for you are God our Savior, and our hope is in you. 

In Jesus’ name we pray, 

AMEN.

Pastor Jason’s Prayer - Aug 4th

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 in Christ 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 Him 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.

It’s in his mighty name we pray,

AMEN.

Pastor Jason’s Prayer - July 28th

King Jesus

You are the one who is Word made flesh, God with us, true light of true light, love personified. Hold to your promise that you are the one who will not let us go, the one who will not forsake us, no matter how far we run and no matter how far we might feel we are from your presence. Turn us and faith us to know that you are present and active in your proclaimed Word here this morning. Turn us and faith us to know and believe that, according to your unfathomable love, we cannot out sin the grace and forgiveness of the cross.

Convict us with the divine truth of your Law and free us through your unconditional Gospel promise that you are making each of us and all things new. Assure us and have us know that you are not sitting back and waiting around for us to make the grade. Take action through your Word, Lord, create and sustain our faith in you out of the nothing of our sin. For your love does not first discover what is pleasing to you. Instead, your love creates what is pleasing to you. Create in us a clean heart, O God. Hear our prayer, you who are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call on you. We call on you. Forgive us, renew us, enliven us. Make us new.

AMEN.

Pastor Jason’s Prayer- July 21st

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. 

Rest us in place, here where you’ve planted us, living in the hour that is at hand. Quiet all of the anxieties, worries, fears, and doubts of this world that cloud our minds and hearts. Create in us a receiving heart turned to you. You who are present now, and you, who has something you will do, now, through the proclamation of your living and active Word. By your word shine your light, that it might shine through us into the darkness of this world.

Speak, Lord Jesus, and wash over each and every one of us with your compassion, with your love.  Keep us in your grip today and every day. Hold fast to our hearts with your words that though there is suffering in this life you have overcome the world. Rest us in your assurance that you know our struggles, having taken them as your own on the cross. Hold fast with your blood bought promise that in this groaning creation you are speaking and invading and making all things new and right. 

And rest us in hope. Because in You our salvation has come, is coming, and will come again. “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.”

AMEN

Pastor Jason’s Prayer - July 14th

Almighty, merciful God,

You are the God of light and love. In love, you’ve granted us the gift of walking in and sharing your light, not just in this place, but everywhere you lead us. By your Holy Spirit you’ve drawn each and every one of us here this morning.

Lord,

Keep this church a place of rest and refuge. A place where you gather us, your children, to receive your gifts. Gifts of helpful guidance, grace and mercy, forgiveness and renewal. Free us from the lie that we have to, or that we can, earn your favor. Rest us in the truth that in mercy and grace, Christ has already done it for us.

King Jesus,

How often, when weary, do we sigh 'The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.' How often are our thoughts and hearts distracted….by temptation, by the voices of the world shouting everything but the Gospel, by the consequences and baggage of our own sinful struggles. By that baggage carried with us, rather than left at your feet. Draw us by your Word to be in your presence, to hear you speak rest into our hearts, “You are weary and heavy laden. But take my yoke, for it is easy and my burden is light.” 

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. Peace that says, “Rest. Do not be afraid. For I am with you.”

In your mighty name we pray, AMEN.

Pastor Jason’s Prayer - June 30th

God of this day and of all days,

In a world which has so much to say and not much time for listening, you have drawn us here this morning to be still and to hear your voice. 

In a world that seems soaked in hate, but thirsty for love, pour out your word of love. Bind up the wounded and brokenhearted. In a world that seems heavy with condemnation, but light on forgiveness, pour out your word of freeing forgiveness.

Bless and fortify, and send the peacekeepers, the Gospel speakers. Speak through your church for the forgiveness and benefit and building up of all those whom, by your word, you created, made and formed.

Lord,

In a world that seems long on worry and fear, but 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 in hope to Christ. 

Hope in the author of love, who knows what it is to be abandoned and so enters into our lonely pain that we might be wrapped in His love, never to be alone. Hope in the fount of joy, who knows grief and so enters into our sadness  to comfort the sorrowful. Hope in the friend of sinners, who loves sinners so much that He took our sins as His own on the cross. Hope in the Word made flesh, who by His speaking, forgives, restores and enlivens everyone who hears and believes. Open our ears to hear, cause us to believe, that we are forgiven and made new in Christ, and therefore, we are made free in Christ.

AMEN.

Pastor Jason’s Prayer - June 16th

Lord, 

On this Father’s Day morning, we give special thanks for the men in our lives. And we remember those whom you’ve called to rest with you in paradise. We thank you for those, who with a fatherly spirit, guide us, shape us and love us. Those through whom you mark your path of justice and mercy, discipline and forgiveness, guidance and grace. For those of us gifted with the role of father, by blood or in spirit, turn us to our true primary calling. Our calling to be the mouthpiece of forgiveness in our homes and amongst our neighbors. Make us new, that we may be the voice of the loving God who forgives on account of the person and work of Christ and for His sake. Possess us with your Spirit that we might bear your image for a world that desperately needs Gospel rest.

Lord Jesus,

Where there are two or more gathered in your name, you promise to be there. We offer you thanks for your presence and divine gifts here this morning. HERE, where you operate through ordinary means to work your miracles of salvation and restoration. From ordinary lips you proclaim your eternal life-giving Word of the forgiveness of sins and the assurance of your active royal reign. From ordinary bread and wine, by your Word, we taste mercy, costly earned but freely given in your body and blood. Rest us in the truth that your fulfilled promise of restoration is real and present, right now in You. As we go about our days, rest us where our feet are planted, living and loving as you have re-created us to be in your image.

AMEN.

Pastor Jason’s Prayer - June 9th

Almighty God,

You are the God of light and love. You’ve granted us the gift of walking in and sharing your light, not just in this place, but everywhere you lead us. By your Holy Spirit you’ve drawn each and every one of us here this morning.

Keep this church a place of rest and refuge. A place where you gather us, to receive your gifts. Gifts of helpful guidance, gifts of grace and mercy, gifts of forgiveness, gifts of renewal.

Soothe our worried and distracted 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.

May we rest in Christ, & find peace in His presence, & hear Him say, “Do not be afraid. For I am with you.”

In the name of Jesus Christ, the King of kings, we pray these things.  AMEN.

Pastor Jason’s Prayer - June 2nd

Almighty, merciful, and saving God,

Grant us comfort in you. Grant us the comfort that wherever we find ourselves in this life, and whatever troubles and struggles we are walking through, you have put your name on us. We are marked and sealed with your name, the one true creating, redeeming, and sanctifying God. Grant us comfort in you and in the solid fact we are yours, held fast by your long arm of grace.  

Lord,

In a world that constantly drives and shapes us to seek satisfaction for our souls in everything and everywhere but you, turn us to you and the true sabbath rest found only in you. Turn us away from the world’s ways and our own ways, and grant us a contrite heart, for a contrite heart you will not despise. By your Word, turn us to the cross so that by faith we might see and know that you are faithful even when we are unfaithful. Turn us to you in hope and faith in your promise that you know your plans for us, and they are good. Hope and faith in your promise that you are with us always, to the end of this age and into the kingdom to come. Hope and faith in your promise that  by your Word and body and blood here this morning the resurrection life is invading right here and right now, and that soon you will make all things new.

In Jesus’ name we pray 

AMEN.

Pastor Jason’s Prayer - May 26th

Gracious, Sovereign God, Lord of all nations,

On this Memorial Day weekend, we pause to thank you for those who have served in the armed forces of our country, risking their lives for our liberty, and especially for those who, across the centuries, have given their lives in service to our country. Sacrificing in the most costly way for the sake of others, for us.

We thank you for a day set apart for solemn remembrance as we consider the sacrifices of so many. You are the shield around us through the men and women who wear this nation’s uniform.

We pray today for the families and friends of those who have given their lives in service to our nation. Be with the countless friends, the tens of thousands of mothers and fathers, and surviving spouses and children in our midst. May they be comforted in their sadness and heartbreak. Hold their wounded hearts in your wounded hands that heal.

Lord, 

In a world that forms us for distraction, be our firm foundation. In a world full of so much noise and information that leaves us disenchanted and disillusioned, draw us into your Word, that we might see and experience the reality of your work in our midst.

Whether in fear or pride, we so often put our faith in other people, places, things, and institutions instead of you. Turn us to you and who you reveal yourself to fully be in Jesus Christ.

You sent your one and only Son into creation not to condemn it, but to save it. Not to demand that we pull ourselves up by our spiritual bootstraps, but to proclaim good news to the spiritually poor. 

King Jesus, 

You came into your creation not to condemn it, but to save it. To enter into our grief to provide comfort, to anoint us with the oil of joy instead of mourning, to cloak us in peace instead of a spirit of despair before God. To plant us as oaks of your righteousness, through whom you bear the fruit of your light, grace, and compassion. 

King Jesus, 

You came into your creation not to condemn it, but to save it. To bind up the brokenhearted. To proclaim the release of the prisoners from the darkness of our own making. To proclaim freedom for the captives of sin. Rest us in the truth of the Good News: “Whom the Son sets free is free indeed.” 

Cause us to walk in that freedom, in the certainty of your promises in an uncertain world. Cause us to walk in that freedom, proclaiming forgiveness when the world demands we condemn our neighbors as enemies. Cause us to walk in that freedom, bearing the Good News of your present and active royal reign.

AMEN.

Pastor Jason’s Prayer - May 19th

Lord,

Today and everyday, fill us and enliven us with your Holy Spirit that we might rejoice in proclaiming the Gospel. Grant us joy in the truth that your Word of Good News is not just information, but the living power of the living God. 

“The words which I have spoken to you are Spirit and they are life”.

Pour out your Spirit and 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 in the midst of daily triumphs. Peace in the midst of daily struggles. Peace that passes all understanding.

By the power of your Word, shatter the bondage of self in which we are chained. Create in us a clean heart and renew a right spirit within us. Renew our hearts, Lord, so they might burn not with self interest but with love for our neighbors. Renew our hearts that they might bear the fruit of your Spirit, the good fruit that this world needs: love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,gentleness and self-control.

As we go about our day, have us know and walk in the assurance that your Spirit hovers over us, gives us the very breath of life, and lives in us. To stir us, to correct us, to work through us, to comfort us, to teach us, to lead us. And ultimately, to show us the Son, that we may be set free in the Son.

All this we pray in the name of the One whose name is above all names, Jesus the Christ,

AMEN.