Loving God,
You speak to us and you say: Do not worry. You
say that we are yours. You offer us your lightness in exchange for our burdens. You offer rest in exchange for our tiredness
and loneliness.
You promise that in both the sadness and the
joys, no matter the results of our human choices, you will be there, bringing
forgiveness and restoration.
So, God, we ask you to guide our response to
this great love. Guide our prayers,
guide our plans, and guide our lives so that through us, others may experience
your abundant life.
We offer to you those who are in need of your
restoration and healing: those who are
unaware of your love, those who are suffering in spirit, mind, or body. God we ask that you would bring comfort, relief
from anxiety, relief from pain, and a certain knowledge of your presence.
God you ask us not to worry yet we acknowledge
that there are storms in our lives and in our world. We pray today for the people in the Carolinas
and Southeast of our country as they face hurricane Florence, and for the
people of the Philippines, China Coast, and others in Asia as they face Typhoon
Manghut. Please give your aid to rescue
and emergency workers. Protect those who
could not evacuate, bring your comfort to grieving families, and God we ask
that you would bring your hope into all the dark places caused by these storms.
God we thank you that even in the darkness, we
can place our worries about our world in your hands and then pick up the work of
being your agents of rebuilding and restoration without worry hindering us.
Help us as we do this through Christ Lutheran Church and our ministries and
offerings, through prayer and intercession, and through our work, our advocacy,
and our relationships.
Lord, these are only a few of our prayers.
There are words that haven’t been spoken. Prayers unfinished that we can rely
on the Holy Spirit to complete.
By your grace, that we may have life and have
it abundantly, we pray these and all things in the name of Jesus Christ.
Amen
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