The good news of Christ
Lord of love and life, we thank you for another day to serve and learn. Let us forget ourselves in order to occupy ourselves with your glory and with our neighbor’s need.
Turn our attention to the wonders of the gospel, both for our own benefit and growth, as well as for those who have not yet heard the truth.
Fill our hearts with grace, and satisfy us with your presence.
God of all power and possibilities, we stand in awe of your moving hand among us. Continue to show your sovereign will on earth. Move things and people toward the kingdom. Open doors, and hearts, and minds.
Prepare us for battle, prepare us for victory, prepare us for the heavy fire thrown against us by the evil one. Stiffen our resolve, give us courage, open our mouths to speak the Good News of Christ.
Show yourself in Christ, send the Spirit among us, dwell in our hearts as we demonstrate faith and obedience to your will.
Forgive our sins, strengthen us in our weakness, open our eyes to our blindnesses.
Be glorified in us, and Christ in you. We desire the day of ending, the day of peace, the day of eternity.
The world’s awash in sin and wildness,
In torrents of lies and tattlers’ tales;
To truth, O Lord, and trusting in right,
We cling for life, clearly seeing
Beyond this earth, only eyes
For the Lord of hosts, the living Christ;
Give strength, O God, make straight our way,
And bring us through to a broad place.
O God, with you I’d be content,
In Christ my every need supplied;
I’d go the way that Jesus went—
On Calvary’s hill he wept and died.
His victor’s cry make mine as well,
To finish your saving will at last;
To serve my neighbor, a story to tell,
A living love, unmoved, steadfast.
Hold me steady on the course of Christ,
Supply your Spirit’s wind to bear me along.
Do not lose me in the sudden storm;
Nor let me fall and drown in heavy seas.
Keep me from losing heart in calmer waters;
Daily renew resolve to serve and love.
Remind me I must never venture alone,
but travel with the seasoned crew of faith.
Bless travelers of hope, in sun and rain,
Protect the timid who journey in fear,
Please heal all those who travel in pain —
Show us, Lord, that you are near.
Bless stayers at home with quiet and peace,
Give strength to the mother of the newborn babe,
Let worriers from anxiety cease —
Be to us, Lord, the giver of shade.
Heavenly Father, help us to recognize those critical moments between faith and doubt, between obedience and sin, between selfishness and service.
Keep us from betraying or denying the Lord Jesus Christ.
Make every hour for us a step of progress toward imitating our Master.
Thank you for peace and strength. Thank you for victory. Thank you for the promise of eternal life, to know you and your Son, Jesus Christ.
Give us peace, O God, in life and death,
In work and rest, among the frenzied crowds;
Within us reign, our Lord, while we have breath,
While we await your coming in the clouds.
The night for sleep, the pillow for rest,
Upon your Word my bed is blessed;
Tomorrow will have its burdens to bear,
I give them to you in fervent prayer.
Our Father in Heaven, we know what fatherhood is from you. We see true love in the sending of your Son. We feel the closeness of your presence in your Spirit. We know and see and feel all this because of your Word.
We come near to worship you. We seek to please you by doing your will. We glorify your name by our words and actions. We fulfill your mission by proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ.
Act in us and through us. Rule over us. May your strength uphold us.