Almighty and Loving God,
People in Florida, and other areas, are awaiting hurricanes and storms.
We come before you asking you to give them wisdom in the day ahead.
We pray for their protection as dark clouds gather and heavy rains fall.
Please shield their homes, families, and communities from danger.
Calm the storms, hold back the floods and grant them peace in uncertainty.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
“Woe to those who quarrel with their Maker,
those who are nothing but potsherds
among the potsherds on the ground.
Does the clay say to the potter,
‘What are you making?’
Does your work say,
‘The potter has no hands’? - Isaiah 45:9
Dear heavenly Father,
Even your "woe's" are gitts of grace, for they warn me of the foolishness of my reasoning, the limitations of my perspective, and the self-centeredness of my musings.
Sometimes I think I'd like to be you for fifteen minutes. That would give me a chance to:
Alas, Father, I am such a mix of good desires and broken agendas. I look at my list and realize how much I need the gospel -- every day and every hour. Of course, you the Potter have hands -- big, loving, mighty ones. And not only that, but you have a heart bigger than the universe, wisdom beyond all imaginings, and a timetable that makes Swiss precision seem like laissez-faire laziness.
There is a day coming when you will put all things right and make all things new. In the meantime, please:
I pray in Jesus' mighty and merciful name,
Amen
Lord God,Into your hands I place all that I am and ever will be.
I commend my past to your mercy.
I submit my today to your grace.
Concerning my hopes and dreams, I will trust in Providence.What is small and what is great, I give to you.What amounts to a little and what amounts to a lot, I bring to you.In both things temporal and things eternal, I will trust in you.Amen.
O God of Creation,
You have blessed us with the changing of the seasons.As we welcome the autumn months ...
May the earlier setting of the sun remind us to take time to rest.May the brilliant colors of the leaves remind us of the wonder of your creation.May the steam of our breath in the cool air remind us that it is you who give us the breath of life.May the harvest from the fields remind us of the abundance we have been given and bounty we are to share with others.May the dying of summer's spirit remind us of your great promise that death is temporary and life is eternal.We praise you for your goodness forever and ever.
Amen.
Lord, my heart is heavy.My circumstances feel overwhelming.
Even so, I choose to look to you.
Teach me how to praise you in my pain.
Even when I do not understand the road ahead.
In times when I am troubled and confused.
Yet I praise you because you are good and faithful.
When fear and worry try my soul, let my voice rise.
Cause my words to lift you up and praise you.
Exchange my heavy burden for your peace.
Help me see your strength in this valley.
Bring me to a place of praising and blessing.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
Holy One beyond all names, Eternal Wellspring,
May love rise again in us today.
With food for every table.
Shelter for every family.
And reverence for every life.
Forgive us our failings in love.
And free us from all falseness,
That the light of our souls may shine
And the strength of our spirits endure.
For Earth and all its people.
This day, tonight, and forever.
Amen.
Dear God,
My plans have changed, and I feel lost.
You saw this unexpected detour that I never saw coming.
You know the confusion, worry, and disappointment in my heart right now.
Help me to let go of my need for control.
My timeline is disrupted and the path ahead is unclear.
Please help me to release my expectations to you.
Remind me that your perspective is higher, wider, and eternal.
Give me the strength to take just one step today.
Fill me with a peace that passes understanding.
Help me trust that you are working all things out for good.
Even on this road I didn't choose.
In your name I pray,
Amen.
