Well, Lord, we’ve lived through yet another week of a major historical event.
When it seems as though we’re seeing light through one storm,
another storm approaches –
the rains of cultural divisions,
the floods of exhausting crises,
the winds of unending changes.
Every day, we seemed to awaken to something new.
The uncertainty is overwhelming, exhausting, and frustrating.
We have longed for peace to calm our anxiousness and our agitation.
Remember us, O God, during this time.
The winds are strong, and the waters are rising.
There is no light to see by,
and we’re having a hard time finding our bearings.
We trust that You’ve got us now,
even though we’re anxious and afraid,
and frankly, sometimes we don’t feel Your presence.
We really wonder where You are in all of this.
Remind us, Lord, remind us of all the times You have blessed us.
Help us to recall all of the miracles—big and small—
that You have worked for us.
You really have given us so much.
Help us to recognize your Divine presence,
in the small blessings and miracles You work for us every day.
Give us patience as we wait to see again Your light.
It seems as though every time I ask to be reminded,
You turn the pages of my Bible to a perfect example.
This time, the words were from the prophet Isaiah,
who spoke Your words to the Israelites:
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by name, you are mine.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
when you walk through fire, you shall not be burned,
and the flame shall not consume you.
For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.”
Lord, Your Word is a balm for the broken,
a ballast for the bewildered,
and bread for the hungry.
This isn’t theory, or only good theology;
it’s experientially true.
You’ve promised to “show up” and be enough,
and You ARE.
In the storms of life,
You are nearer than the storms themselves.
Lord, You’ve created us,
You’ve redeemed us.
You summoned us by name, calling us to life in the gospel;
You’ve have given us the sweetest name imaginable — “Mine.”
No more condemnation;
no more orphan-like spirituality;
no more making a name for ourselves.
We are Yours, and Your banner over us is love.
That’s actually Your most defining characteristic – Your perfect love.
What ultimately defines us is Your love for us.
And it's out of Your love, You come to us and heal Your creation.
You don’t promise we won’t experience
floods and torrents, or grief and loss.
But You do promise You will be with us,
and You will cover us with Your presence.
To know You are near,
and to know You are good
is all we really need.
We will go anywhere and do anything,
as long as we’re convinced that You’re with us and for us.
May we lean into Your love this day.
May You embrace our world in Your healing love.
Our hope is built on upon You,
trusting You graciously to give us everything we need,
in current and future storms.
We don’t have to be afraid of anything or anyone anymore,
for You are with us and You are for us.
We know ourselves to be “precious and honored in Your sight,”
because of what You’ve done for us in Jesus.
We praise You for the one and only truly indescribable gift -
Jesus the Christ — who was given for us and to us.
We pray all this in His name with the prayer He taught us to pray:
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name.
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the Kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
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