Thursday, August 3, 2023

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.

Today, we invite you to reread, rest and reflect on the prayers of the past week.

Lectionary Readings for Today:
Genesis 45:1-20
Psalm 103:8-13
Matthew 6:7-15

Thank you, Loving Yahweh, for keeping your oaths. Thank you for answering our prayers. Thank you for bringing your community together to work to bring about your will, peace, justice, righteousness, and to build up your people. We do not need to force what has been promised, but rather work with you to bring about the blessings.

Gracious loving Yahweh, thank you for this time. You speak loving kindness to us. Thank you for giving us your pure, peaceful, and gentle wisdom. We let go of bitterness and selfish ambition and choose peace.

Be our strong rock, a castle to keep us safe, for you are our crag and stronghold. Breathe new life into the limbs of our family trees, O LORD. Bless the new blossoms that grow here, and the new fruit that is to come. Count us among your blessed children. Restore our families for your sake. We will remember your blessings, and praise your name throughout the generations.

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.