Good Morning I had the privilege to lead us in community prayer at EBC today. Click here to listen.
To begin, a prayer of confession. Our God, whose son is the light of the world and the resurrection and the life,
in his penetrating light we acknowledge our darkness;
in his constant gaze, our careless love;
in his generous giving, our sordid grasping;
in his equal justice, our dire prejudice;
in his fortitude, our fearful failure;
in his inclusive love, our deep divisions;
in his pure sacrifice, our selfish sins.
But in his cross is our forgiveness,
and in his resurrection, our enduring hope.
The pardon and the promise we now claim
in penitence and faith, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Holy Father, we gather today to worship and praise you. Maybe not in a church building, but right here in this moment. We come now to rest in your presence, remind us of who you are. You are the Creator of all things. Help us to glorify your name in all we say and do. Thank you for the gift of life and for every breath you give us. You are faithful. Help us to be committed to you and to obey and trust you. Thank you for the gift of faith that you have given to us. You are a God who keeps your promises. Help us to stand firm on your promises and to be in your word often. You are a God of peace. Make us pure, in our bodies, our souls, and our spirits as we turn to you. You are a God who comforts. You know the tears we have cried, and you know the sorrows and suffering we face. By your Holy Spirit, your love covers us to bring healing and to wipe away our tears. We praise you because of your mercy and grace that you shower upon us moment by moment. You never leave us or forsake us. Your word reminds us that nothing can separate us from your love that has been revealed in Christ Jesus. Father around the world, the COVID-19 virus has open the door to great fear, anxiousness and worry. Your word says that nothing can isolate us from your love, not the hard times we face, not the threat of a virus, not fear we have for today or tomorrow; nothing can separate us from Jesus' love for us. Your word tells us not to be anxious and no matter what our situation, we are to turn to you in prayer. Help us to be people of prayer. People who seek you moment by moment. Through this time of isolation and separation from loved ones, help us practice being in your presence. We remember today, those who are more vulnerable and at risk. We ask Father to keep them safe. We remember today, families who have loved ones that they can not be near at this time. Grant to them calmness when fear and anxiety come concerning their loved ones. We remember today, all front line workers. Keep them safe, grant to them wisdom, and help them not to fear but to trust you. We remember today, our leaders who are responsible for making decisions on how to keep us safe and lead us. Give them wisdom and discernment. We remember today, families. Help them find creative ways to connect, and for families that are experiencing conflict, help them to walk in peace. Have mercy, Lord. We remember today, business owners and families who are facing financial stress. Help them not to be afraid, but to trust in you. Help us to be open to see the needs around us and to have wisdom on how to help. We ask today that this virus will stop spreading. Help us to be responsible and do our part in this process. Jesus, during this crazy time, we ask to continue drawing us into your word, help us to know your love for us, and help us to remain faithful to following you. Bring revival among your people by turning us back to you. Father, thank you that you will wipe away our tears. Jesus, thank you that you cry for us, and you pray for us. Holy Spirit, thank you that you transform our tears into beautiful prayers that are heard by the heart of God. May we rest in the love of the Triune God knowing you are our hope and refuge in times of uncertainty. In Jesus' name, Amen. |
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