Saturday, July 29, 2023

LORD God Almighty, thank you that in your mighty power, you are slow to anger. You love all of your creation, not just those who follow you. You long for a relationship with us. You are our shelter and safe place for us to receive your love. Thank you for caring for us. You are so good. We love you.

We gather in assemblies and at your Beautiful Gate. We greet and are received by many who are also journeying. We are refugees, wanderers, and outcasts; we are established and blessed when we are in your sacred prayer space. We bear witness to your presence as our everlasting God.

We gather at Ebenezer, your Stone of Help. We are fully transparent before you. You see us for who we are. You see what we try to hide. You see what is within us. We are alabaster jars filled with your gifts and abilities, waiting to be poured out.

We are battered by the wind and waves. We call out to you, “LORD, save us!” Fear and weariness cloud our eyes, and we do not see you. But you are here. You draw near to us, calming our fears and the storms within and around us.

Be our help and comfort, now and always. We experience your goodness today and are glad. We pray your mercies in our lives will be signs to others that your joy can be their strength.

We gather at your Beautiful Gate, a faith-marker, to remember your merciful ways throughout the generations. We enter your sacred prayer space to seek your guidance. We long to be among your chosen people, those you have gathered and will continue to gather to your Holy Mountain.