Almighty God,
Thank you for this glorious 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. You bless us by drawing us to you.Thank you for the opportunity to just sit and rest in you Lord. Right where you've placed each of us. Settle the chatter of worry in our minds and hearts, that we may simply be present to receive your Son.
Calm our restlessness and anxiety and make us channels of your peace. Stoke the flame of your light in our hearts that despite us, your light might shine through us into the darkness around us. Heal us by your wounds, and make us vessels of love and compassion and your mouthpiece of forgiveness.
Lord
As we enter into some time in your Word together, have us know that your word is living and active. When you say “Let there be…”, things happen. When the sun rises and sets, you are speaking. When a tree bears fruit, you are preaching. When a child is baptized and sealed with your name, you are proclaiming visible, tangible gospel.
When a church is gathered, when the discarded are salvaged, when the hurting are healed, when the broken are restored, when the unrighteous are made righteous, when the dead are made alive, you are speaking. Rest us in the truth that when your word goes out, it does not return to you empty, but accomplishes the purpose for which you send it.
In the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,
AMEN.