Heavenly Father,
Like the deer in a dry land, panting for streams of living water, we are thirsting for you. You have invited us to come and drink. And so, we have come to meet with you — in your communion — the communion of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Forgive us Lord, for we have confused our thirst for you with a thirst for power, for recognition, for ease, and for entertainment. Even now Lord, reset our souls to you. Awaken us to the majesty of your sovereign love and wisdom.
We have feared the mocker’s question — Where is your God? And so we kept silent; we retreated into our own doubt, and we made skepticism our fortress. We imagined a justice that did not include you. Oh Lord, break these walls down with the glorious image of Jesus pouring Himself out as a servant, taking up the towel and serving, taking up the cross and suffering that we might know You in your fullness.
Oh Spirit of God, blow through these walls that the fragrance of your life would be a delight to many. Cause hope to arise in us and praise to flow from our hearts in the day and the night. You are our comforter and healer. You restore us to the image of Christ Jesus our Lord. Stir us out of our passivity and activate attention to your love for us and attentive love for our neighbours at home, across the campus, and in the classroom.
Oh Lord, those living in the shadow of domination and desolation are crying out — Hear their cry Lord. Their cries are coming to you from Myanmar, from Afghanistan, from Lebanon and even from here in Canada. Oh Lord direct your love to them, may your song be within them even in the night — a prayer to the God of their lives. Even in prisons or on campuses — please establish people of Jesus as vibrant communities whose praises arise as a beacon of hope in every dark corner or our globe.
Oh Lord in the name of Jesus we are pleading — may your Kingdom come!
(Please join with me in praying 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.