Shared during Sunday Worship on October 8, 2023.
Gracious God,
We come before you filled with gratitude for all of your wonderful gifts. You’ve drawn us near to you and near to one another in this, your sanctuary, a place set apart, a place made holy by Your presence and Your Word. It is in this place that You teach us Your story with the world, the story of our salvation. It is in this place that You teach us to give thanks for all of the good gifts that You ceaselessly bestow upon us. We thank you for this place, we thank you for Your story, and we thank You for all of those gifts.
We ask, o’ God, that You show up for those who know not of Your lovingkindness. All of those who the world shuns, all of those who feel alone, all those who do not have enough. Be present to them. Welcome them as You have welcomed us, with open arms. Make us to be a people of Your welcome, ready and able to open our doors and give of ourselves. Mold us after You.
Our world, Your world, is full of so much pain, so much violence, and so much hatred. Heal Your world, and use us for good as You do.
We pray all of this in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Grace and Peace,
Sean