Congregational Prayer, June 29, 2008
Offered by Marilyn Raatz
Dear Lord God, Creator and Sustainer of our lives,
Now may we come before you as little children, trusting in your love and constant care.
You invite and encourage us to speak to you because you genuinely want relationship with us and you know that only through time spent together in prayer will we truly come to know and trust you, and be transformed by your Spirit.
We thank you that we may come into your presence, Holy Father. This is too wonderful for us! This is a blessing we do not deserve! And yet you welcome us, delight in us, and wish to speak directly into the pain and sin and fears and foolishness of our lives. Let us now quietly meditate on this wonderful gift.
(Time for personal reflection.)
You grace overcomes us. Your mercy washes over us. Your love forgives us. We are compelled to love you with ever-increasing fervor. Yes, Lord we ache when we reflect on your greatness. We are amazed that you raise us up from the slimy pit into which we so frequently fall.
And yet, your desire is to set us upon a solid rock of salvation where we can stand and be strengthened by you. From that fortress, built by love, we declare with certainty, because we know it deep down inside us, and have seen with our eyes, how our lives are changed because of your transforming power: in our minds, and hearts and spirits.
Lord, draw us ever nearer to you. Perfect us through your word, and speak your truth into us through prayer. Do that for us right now as we quietly await your voice and the life changing and life affirming messages you have for each of us this morning.
(Quietly awaiting God’s voice, spoken into our lives.)
And now we thank you, loving Father, for all that we are and all that we have. Give us strength and obedience that we may serve you more fully with the gifts and talents that you have given us
In the name of Jesus Christ we pray all these things,
Amen
