Doubt

Eternal God, our Father, we come to this time of prayer full of need. We are so wavering in our faith, so inconstant in the quality of our discipleship.

Sometimes the shadows lie deep over our lives and the path seems rough to the goal. But we believe we can come today full of thanksgiving that there is forgiveness with Thee as we cry out with the Psalmist, "Have mercy on us, O Lord, according to Thy loving kindness; according to the multitude of Thy tender mercies, blot out our transgressions....wash us and we shall be whiter than snow." Lead us to the Rock that is higher than we are.

We confess that the swirling currents of the world's life around us often threaten to engulf us. Even when we want to know Thy will and follow Thee, we find it hard to be free from the pull of selfishness and pride and lust. Help us to remember the words of our Lord that the way is narrow that leads to life...and He who endures to the end shall be saved. So keep our feet on the way because it is the way to the life for which we yearn; and give us the endurance that leads at last to salvation and the City of our God forevermore.

We lift up to Thee, the Great Physician, the sick and sorrowing and those dear to us in our circle of family and friends. May none feel friendless or alone, for we are all one in Christ Jesus. Beyond our borders, give us concern for the strife-torn places of the world where Thy children suffer because we cannot or will not seek the way of peace and brotherhood. Consecrate us to the cause of peace in the name of Him who came to break down the walls that divide us and make us His own.

O Lord, may all of us feel included. When we pray for a sense of responsibility for our task here, may all of us feel and take a share of that responsibility; and when the call comes to serve and give, may each and everyone of answer to his own name before Thee. Pour out Thy Spirit upon us all, and all that we ask in Jesus' name. Amen