Heavenly Father, We praise you the Creator of the Heavens and the Earth. You have never abandoned your Creation. You have set your plans and purposes in place from the beginning. You have persisted in the revelation of your glory. You are the origin of all life, all truth, and all love. Thank you for the grace that has brought us into your communion — the communion of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Thank you for revealing your life and love in Jesus Christ your Son.
He is before us and so we praise you.
He is after us and so we aim our lives at Him. We know every knee shall bow and every tongue confess
that He is Lord to your glory forever and ever.
You are also present with us: Our good shepherd, the lover of our souls, the author and perfecter of our faith, and the God who saves us.
You are with us in our tears. We have lost the illusion of invincibility.
You are with us in our fears. We have lost the thin promises of our self-designed security.
We cry Hosanna; Lord help!
Grant your church courage today to move with you into the suffering of the world with compassion. Grant us the will to change how we relate to the planet, to our families, to our neighbours, and to our coworkers.
We lift up to you the people of Shanghai and other cities across China suffering through pandemic lockdowns. Oh Lord comfort them and meet them. We ask you Lord for an end to the ravages of this virus.
We lift up to you the peoples of Ukraine and Russia suffering under the violent will of one set on dominating and destroying another. Lord may your hand bring an end to this war. Lord may your Spirit minister to those who have lost so much. Lord may your church move in the way of Jesus so your light shines.
Please join me in the Lord’s Prayer:
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one;
for yours is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory,
forever.
Amen.