Heavenly Father,
We enter into your communion — the communion of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit — through your amazing grace. Your Son has opened up the way for us through His own obedience, his own life and death, by laying down His own body. Now through his body we enter into the delights of relationship with you.
We know Christ Jesus came down.
He came down from the throne. Praise you Lord.
He came down as a child. Praise you Lord.
He came down to the feet of sinners. Praise you Lord.
He came down to the cross. Praise you Lord.
He came down to the grave. Praise you Lord.
Hallelujah. Death could not hold Him!
Oh Lord you lifted Him up and now though we are baptized into His death we are also baptized into His life. You have lifted us up with him. Though sin has brought us down, you have forgiven us and appointed us to your salvation. Fill us with your new life and transform us through and through.
Lord we grieve for the many precious people who died off the shores of Greece this week as they sought refuge and a new life. Awaken the conscience of our world to the plight of many people on the journey for refuge. Renew our confidence in the abundance of your Creation.
Lord we pray for your peace in Metro Vancouver and particularly in the downtown Eastside of Vancouver. Recent fires and gun violence has set the community on edge. We ask for you to intervene and to intercept the people who are intent on killing their so-called enemies. Bring justice and mercy to them for the glory of Jesus.
Lord we pray for Canada, where though we in Vancouver get lulled into the common gift of your rain, we know the rest of the ten provinces are in a drought. The fires are evidence of the dryness of the land. But what else is evident Lord? Perhaps the dryness of our souls? Come Lord Jesus and renew our hearts. Surely we do not need rain fires in our forests — we need your fresh fire in our hearts for you and your Kingdom.
So, we pray as Jesus teaches us: (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.
AMEN!Praise the Lord!!