Father,
Thank you for being a Creator and God who communicates and relates with your creation. Long ago, at many times and in many ways, you spoke to your people by the prophets, but in these last days you have spoken to us by your Son, Jesus. You appointed him heir of all things, through whom you created the world. You tell us that Jesus is the radiance of your glory, the exact imprint of your nature, and that he upholds the universe by the word of his power.
Everything has been put in subjection to Jesus, and nothing is outside his control. Right now we do not see everything in this fallen world in subjection and submission to Jesus, but we see Jesus in your Word, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by your grace he might taste death for everyone.
Your Word tells us that Jesus, for whom and by whom all things exist, graciously brings many sons to glory, and that he did it through his suffering on earth.
Please make these truths in your Word steady us, reassure us and hearten us, especially in the midst of uncertainty and suffering. Thank you that Jesus was made like us in every respect while on earth, and that he is in your presence as an understanding, merciful and faithful mediator on our behalf.
Please help us to navigate our families, friendships, work relationships, and communities at large as we try our best to think and act considering your gospel. We imperfectly love you and our neighbors; please enable us to be faithful, and to be a blessing to those around us. Thank you for your immense grace.
Thank you for Jim and Esther and their kids. Thank you that their family could take their sabbatical this year and thank you for keeping them safe throughout it. Thank you for the mercies you showed to this church body in their absence. Thank you for the people of this church.
Thank you that we can publicly gather together, in-person and online, and pray together saying:
Our Father, who art in heaven,
Hallowed be Thy name.
Thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done,
On earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from evil:
For Thine is the kingdom, and the power and the glory, forever.Amen.