Eternal God, in whom we live and move and have our being,
whose face is hidden from us by our sins;
and whose mercy we forget in the blindness of our hearts;
cleanse us, we pray, from all our offenses;
that with lowliness and meekness we may draw near to you;
confessing our faults, confiding in your grace, and finding in You our refuge and our strength.
The God who breathed this world alive
and sustains it day by day,
whose hands flung stars into space
and who gathers up all things to himself
says, “Do not be afraid, for I am with you.”
The God who filled the ocean depths
and set tides on their way;
who caused mountains to be raised up
And rainbows to display says, “I have called you by name, you are mine.”
The God who made the fertile earth
And seed within to sow;
whose artistry creates butterflies, sunsets,
and early morning dew says, “You are precious in my sight.”
Lord, in Your mercy
Hear our prayer.
Your Word is truth for victims of injustice,
light for all who cannot see,
love where there is hatred,
freedom for the oppressed.
Your Word is healing where there is sickness,
comfort in times of sorrow, mercy where there is humility,
hope for eternity.
We pray for the 176 lives lost as their plane was shot down.
Grant them eternal rest, O God,
and may Your perpetual light shine on them.
We pray for our world, flush with disasters;
from the earthquakes in Puerto Rico,
to the brushfires still raging in Australia,
bring rest to the earth, O God.
Lord, in Your mercy
Hear our prayer.
Lord, Grant that we, who are born again by water and the Spirit,
may be faithful as Your adopted children.
O God, we hold before You all those who are in need
and we offer our prayers either silently or aloud...
Reveal yourself, Gracious God, within this time of worship.
Speak to us through songs we sing, prayers we offer, the words we hear.
Reveal Yourself Gracious God, also within us.
In our speaking and listening, tears and laughter, love that’s shared.
Reveal Yourself, Gracious God, in the sacred ordinary.
All this we ask through Christ, our Lord. Amen.