Righteous Father,
We come to You as Your children - Your weak and helpless children. Oh, sometimes we put on a show to convince ourselves and others that we can make it on our own. But deep down inside in those places we try to keep hidden, we know we really can't. We know, when we dare to admit it, that only You can make us truly whole. Only You can fill the void, the emptiness, and the loneliness that's deep inside.
So we come. We come because we recognize that we need You. We come because You have told us we can ask You for what we need. We come because we know You are our Good Father who will give us the good things we need.
Some of us are afraid. Life is so fragile these days. We are afraid for the security of our families and those we love. We don't know what today may bring into our lives, let alone tomorrow. Please assure us of Your control and of Your protection. Hold us in Your arms, and let us know we are safe with You.
We all need to belong. We know we belong to You, but You have made us so that we also want to belong to people. Strengthen our relationships, Father. Build bridges for us between husband and wife, parent and child, friend and friend, brother and sister, and employer and employee. Help us to communicate truthfully and kindly. Help us to find ways to show our love to each other. Help us to be servants and lovers of one another. Mend those relationships that are broken. Help us to know what we need to do to restore them.
Some of us are concerned about finances. You urge us to be faithful stewards of what You have entrusted to us. Sometimes we are not quite sure what that may mean. Please show us clearly, and then help us to obey.
You have been so good to us. We have houses to live in, clothes to wear, and food to eat. Not everyone is so fortunate. In the poor areas of our cities across the world, parents are worried because there is no food. Children go begging. Provide the poor with what they need - food, clothing, justice, hope, and a true, living connection with You.
We have so much. Sometimes we get caught up in the things we own and our attempts to gain fulfillment so that we manage to block Your whisperings to our hearts. Yet we know we need You more than anyone or anything else. We want to find our rest and completeness in You.
Speak to us, Lord. Let us know more of You. Let us receive Your truth through Your Word, and then again through our church body on Sunday.
Thank You for hearing our prayers. Thank You for being our good, kind Father.
Amen.
Photo: Charlie preaching on a Sunday morning in Manila.
We come to You as Your children - Your weak and helpless children. Oh, sometimes we put on a show to convince ourselves and others that we can make it on our own. But deep down inside in those places we try to keep hidden, we know we really can't. We know, when we dare to admit it, that only You can make us truly whole. Only You can fill the void, the emptiness, and the loneliness that's deep inside.
So we come. We come because we recognize that we need You. We come because You have told us we can ask You for what we need. We come because we know You are our Good Father who will give us the good things we need.Some of us are afraid. Life is so fragile these days. We are afraid for the security of our families and those we love. We don't know what today may bring into our lives, let alone tomorrow. Please assure us of Your control and of Your protection. Hold us in Your arms, and let us know we are safe with You.
We all need to belong. We know we belong to You, but You have made us so that we also want to belong to people. Strengthen our relationships, Father. Build bridges for us between husband and wife, parent and child, friend and friend, brother and sister, and employer and employee. Help us to communicate truthfully and kindly. Help us to find ways to show our love to each other. Help us to be servants and lovers of one another. Mend those relationships that are broken. Help us to know what we need to do to restore them.
Some of us are concerned about finances. You urge us to be faithful stewards of what You have entrusted to us. Sometimes we are not quite sure what that may mean. Please show us clearly, and then help us to obey.
You have been so good to us. We have houses to live in, clothes to wear, and food to eat. Not everyone is so fortunate. In the poor areas of our cities across the world, parents are worried because there is no food. Children go begging. Provide the poor with what they need - food, clothing, justice, hope, and a true, living connection with You.
We have so much. Sometimes we get caught up in the things we own and our attempts to gain fulfillment so that we manage to block Your whisperings to our hearts. Yet we know we need You more than anyone or anything else. We want to find our rest and completeness in You.
Speak to us, Lord. Let us know more of You. Let us receive Your truth through Your Word, and then again through our church body on Sunday.
Thank You for hearing our prayers. Thank You for being our good, kind Father.
Amen.
Photo: Charlie preaching on a Sunday morning in Manila.
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