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 true sanctuary and true 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 clean and 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.
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.