Acts 17:24-27
24The God who made the world and everything in it, he who is Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in shrines made by human hands, 25nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mortals life and breath and all things. 26From one ancestor he made all nations to inhabit the whole earth, and he allotted the times of their existence and the boundaries of the places where they would live, 27so that they would search for God and perhaps grope for him and find him—though indeed he is not far from each one of us.
Join with me as we calm our minds and prepare our hearts to come before our Lord.
Father, you are the God of all things. We are humbled that the One who is and was and shall be, who created the heavens and earth, who made man and set him in place, knowing his first and last breath, that You desire to have a personal relationship with us.
We are unable to bring anything to you that compares to the love that you have shown us. We know that we are unworthy of the grace you showed us by give your Son, Jesus Christ, to die for our sins. He sacrificed his own perfect life so that we may have eternal life with you.
During this Lenten season, we pray you will give us discernment as we reflect on our relationship with you and the life you desire from us. Prepare us for service as we reach out to the world and become a manifestation of the grace and mercy you have for each of us.
Father we pray that our church will rise up as one body in Christ, united in service to you. We pray that we can join together as you call us to reach out and serve our community—meeting the needs of those who are lost, broken, or disenfranchised. Unite us so that our church may your servant to a world seeking your love, demonstrating to all that our mission is to make Disciples of Christ, relieve suffering and glorify you.
Forgive us when we fall short and fail you. Forgive us when we put our short-term desires before your long-term goals for our lives. Forgive us when we pick easy over right, judgment over justice, and comfort over compassion.
Be with those in our church, community, and nation who are hurting. We ask for healing and comfort for:
READ THE NAMES ON THE PRAYER LIST HERE
Comfort those who have lost a loved one Lord, wrap your arms around those whose hearts are broken. Give them a peace that surpasses understanding and fill them with your love.
Lord, we ask for prayers for Mark Kroos and his ministry. You have blessed him with such talent and we rejoice at how he is fulfilling your commandment to go out and share your word. We thank you for the community coming out and having the opportunity to see the blessings you’ve given Mark. Let him be a reminder to all of us that you have given us talents that can move mountains and change lives and that we can accomplish great things when we follow your will.
Empty us of ourselves that we may be filled with you.
We ask these in the name of your son, Jesus Christ.
