FAITHFULNESS

Eternal God, our Father, while our eyes are closed to the world around us, we would fix the eyes of our souls upon Thee--our creator and redeemer--from whom all the blessings of life flow. We confess that we are often confused and lonely--but we thank Thee now that there is a place of quiet rest where we can think about life and allow the Holy Spirit to teach and guide us. All of us have sinned by thought, word, and deed and come short of thy glory --but we thank you here and now and confess our sins; we are forgiven and can start clean again. And, O Lord, if some of us have drifted so gradually and so far from Thee that we no longer have a keen sense of God or sin or duty--come to us at this moment and give us again a principle within of watchful, godly fear--and help us to feel the first approach of pride or wrong desire.

We pray for our country today. In these troubled times, help us to hear the ancient promise of the Scriptures: "If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."

We feel, O Lord, that we have an awesome responsibility and a glorious opportunity. Like Paul, we feel that a great door has been opened to us. Here we are with all our rich resources for proclaiming and teaching the gospel and all around us are people like us who are seeking life, some joyful and effective in Christian witness and living, others wandering and lost. So help us to be true to the good news that is in Christ. Forgive us for our pessimism when we serve a risen Saviour who is in the owrld today, born in a stable, growing up in an out of the way tiny town, and coming out of a tomb to conquer the kingdom of this world and make them the kingdoms of our God and of His Christ. And we are His disciples. Give to us the joy of the Lord, like Paul and Silas, who sang hymns and praised God in jail at midnight.

We thank Thee for this hour of worship. May it bring to us memories that bless and burn; may it bring healing for our sicknesses; joy for our sorrows; strength for our weakness; life for our death--- and the victory that overcomes the world through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. We ask
it all in His name. Amen.