Heavenly Father,
It’s December in Vancouver. As the darkness of longer nights envelops us we keep the lights on longer. Fortunately the light of your love never goes out, but we would have been blind to it, except for the grace of faith in Jesus — the Light of the World. By this grace you have included us in your communion — the communion of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Thank you!
For each one of us there have been messengers of your grace who provided us with clues to your goodness and who have announced your good news. Thank you for these friends of yours who have treated us according to your own faithful love.
We were soul sick with an incurable disease. But you have provided the balm that heals us.
We were soul weary weighed down by idols received with false promises.
But you have provided our deliverance.
We were drained of all joy but you have set before us the joyful reality of your Kingdom. But your Holy Spirit keeps pouring your love into our lives.
Praise be to you, the Lover and Shepherd of our Souls!
We lift up to you the many who accompany us through life in this city but do not know your Son. Oh Lord we desire that you would be born in them. Bring them to the faith that trusts You and is eternal life.
We lift up to you the people of Princeton, Merritt, and Abbotsford who have experienced the devastation of flooding. We lift up to you the people of States and Towns in the US who have experienced the devastation of the Tornados. Please grant them peace over the anxiety that accompanies these disasters. Please let them feel loved not forgotten, cared for not abandoned. Comfort those who have lost loved ones and have felt their worlds shaken.
We lift up to you our brothers and sisters working in this City and across the globe. May their worship of you be accompanied by complete surrender to you. Grant them wisdom to serve people and steward your gifts through their work. May your goodness saturate their workplaces and amplify your abundant blessings for all.
Oh Lord Come. Come Lord Jesus Come.
(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.