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. Thank you for the opportunity to just sit and rest here, in you Lord. Right where you've placed each of us. Settle our minds and hearts, that we may simply be present to receive your Son.
Lord,
This world needs your healing. We need your healing.
Let us see the world through your eyes.
Lift the veil from our eyes, that we might see your path before us because
we so easily get distracted and turned by the unceasing storm of voices all around us. Let us listen to your voice. Let us hear your word and be made new in your image. Let our lives bear not the markers of the world’s ways but the shape of the cross, dying to self, that the Gospel might spring forth from our hearts in service to others.
Where there is hatred in our hearts, speak into us and pour out of us love;
Where there is wrong in our hearts, speak into us and pour out of us forgiveness;
Where there is discord among us, speak into us and pour out of us harmony;
Where we traffic in lies and error, speak into us and pour out of us truth;
Where there is sadness, speak into us and pour out of us joy;
Where we are shaken by doubt, speak into us and pour out of us faith.
God, through your word, the universe came into being. With your same word, speak into each one of us the fullness of restoration and re-creation in the person and work of Jesus Christ.
In Jesus’ name,
AMEN