Sunday, September 17, 2023

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).

Like birds to the fruit tree, we joyfully dine on your provisions. Give us hearts and minds to understand that like the birds, we will leave for others what we do not need. We are content with your blessings. We will pass to others what you have abundantly given, so we will greet each other and live together in your land in a good way.

You reveal your word to us. You guide, protect, and encourage us. Give us wisdom to turn to you and see your face. Give us ears to hear, eyes to see, and discerning hearts to recognize your guidance. Give us faith and strength to follow you. We will raise our Ebenezer in songs of praise as we journey.

The storms of our human condition threaten to consume us. We receive difficult news of our health, fear for our loved ones, run from wars and destruction, face financial ruin, and are cast out from our families. We cry out to you, “Save us, for we will surely drown.” You draw close to us, inviting us into your sacred prayer space. Here, with you, our fears are calmed and we can see your face and hear your voice.

We have not dealt honourably with creation and others. Search our hearts; create in us clean hearts. Renew your right spirit within us. Cast us not away from your presence in your fields and vineyards. We will praise you all of our days.

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.