Heavenly Father,
In the moment before you said, “Let there be…” your love existed and was shared within your eternal communion, the communion of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Your holiness precedes the billions of galaxies you made and infiltrates every vast expanse between them. You see us. You are able to locate us. You have made us. We are the people of your pasture purchased through the blood of the Lamb. So say the Word — Say the Word that awakens us to the reality of you and to the reality of your love. Call out to us, “Wake up O Sleeper, Rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”
For some us the joy of our salvation is preceded by the knowledge of our havoc to which we had become numb. And so — we fear.
We confess Lord, we have been foolish; we have been rebellious; we have been lovers of darkness. Forgive us and usher us into your ways of peace. May the righteousness and kindness of Jesus replace all the bitterness, rage, malice, unforgiveness, and apathy that has rushed in to fill the places created by desire and disappointment.
Lord, grant us the grace of repentance and the grace of obedience that comes by faith.
Indeed, fill us with the joy of your salvation!
We lift up our brothers and sisters
who weep; comfort them Lord.
who fear the future; assure them Lord.
who wrestle with decisions; guide them Lord.
We lift up students at UBC and at Langara College. We pray that your would call out disciples for Jesus — who rejoice in your friendship, and delight in your love. Cause them to be new creations from the inside out.
Oh Lord we need you and 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.
This prayer with part of the Origin Church Weekend Broadcast on 19 February 2021.