Sunday, August 13, 2023

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.

In this sacred time with you, with grateful hearts, we remember how you are with us, care for us, and save us. We worship you and only you. We sing together, “Here I raise my Ebenezer. Here by Thy great help I’ve come. And I hope by Thy good pleasure.” (“Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing,” Robert Robinson, 1758).

In the safety of your sacred prayer space, you turn your face toward us and expose the filth of the wilderness within us. We betray you in our own ways, by what we think, do, and by what we do not do. Yet, you choose to clean us and give us a new purpose. We try to understand with human logic, but your ways are not our ways. You invite us to listen and learn from you, and to participate in your mystery.

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.

Thank you for reminding us to follow what we have been taught about your boundless love, compassion, graciousness and mercy. We are created in your image, and we are to share your goodness.

We enter your sacred prayer space clothed in the armour of your light. By your grace, we walk your Ancient Path with faith that you are with us; your teachings guide our steps. You reveal to us the power of our words when we walk with you–power to destroy or to restore.