Father-God, We tear down these idols in our lives, only to find that they have returned again and again. We fight against what we want to do and find that we end up doing the very things we don’t want to do. We look at the way we sacrifice for financial gain and self promotion. We may speak the words of generosity and simplicity but sometimes we just want more and better. We’re tired. We
Our Gracious God, Thank you for creating the church. Thank you that we don’t have to do this all on our own. Thank you that we get to participate in all of this - the songs, the preaching, the bread and wine, the simply coming together week after week. We are not alone. Though the Evil One may want us to believe that we are all alone in this world, it is a lie. You
Let’s pray together. God- One of your children once said that joy is the infallible sign of the presence of God. Way back when, in the garden of Eden, there was joy. In Your presence. In the beauty of everything You made. There was joy. And since that bite of forbidden fruit, it has been an endless quest for that joy. More than anything, the deepest part of us long for
You are the Prince of Peace. You are the peace-giver. You are the peace-maker. We ask for the gift of peace. We look around and we see how badly our world needs peace. Around the globe, across our country, in our workplaces and in our neighbourhoods- we ask for peace that transcends our understanding (and misunderstanding) of things. Your peace can reach through difficult and hopeless situations and the how-can-anything-good-come-out-this sort of places. And
Let us pray.. Lord God, let the glow from your promises light the lives Of all the people here who are feeling tired and discouraged. Remind them of your touch and the sound of your voice. We have been too busy to sit with you, Too anxious to follow or put our lives into your care. Lord, may this season fulfill in our hearts The promise of his saving presence And redeem us
Lord, These are the confessions and desires of our hearts. Hear our prayers. God, we long for a deeper intimacy with you, And a heart that overflows with worship and praise. But we confess that our hearts are often calloused, Our disposition to you, stone-glazed and guarded, Our spirit of praise, so often sleepy and weary. We confess that it’s our overburdened living, Sin sick hearts and brokenness, Preoccupation with success and appearance, And bouts
