A Concord Pastor Comments: Monday Morning Offering: 8/27

8/27/18

Monday Morning Offering: 8/27

Good morning, good God!

We come today, Lord,
not so much to offer as to lift up to you
what our hearts and minds cannot contain:
a tragic, ongoing story
   of bodies and souls violated, wounded and scarred,
   of trust and confidence shaken, weakened, lost,
   of confusion and chaos in wisdom's place,
   of bad faith, betrayal and broken promises...
   of disappointment, discouragement and distress...

So heavy are these burdens, Lord,
we need your strength
to help us lift them up,
to present them to you
as we pray for:
   your healing of deep and invisible wounds,
   your restoring what's been lost to pride and sin,
   your counsel and guidance to lead us back to your truth,
   your pure and steadfast love to make us one and whole again,
   your power, grace and mercy to purify your church,
   to lead us out of darkness,
      back to your presence and your peace...

We need so much, Lord,
and we're mindful that without you
we are helpless...

Open our hearts to your mercy, Lord,
and to your word and your truth,
your wisdom and inspiration,
your Spirit and your strength,
you compassion and consolation...

All this we lift up to you this morning, Lord:
hear our prayer and our plea
and look with mercy on your people...

Rebuild us, Lord, and make of us again
a tabernacle, a dwelling place of your presence,
a people worthy of the name we humbly bear: Christian...

All this we lift up to your strong and open arms:
be with us, Lord, in all our troubles,
be with us, Lord, we pray...

Amen.