Wednesday, August 9, 2023

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.

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 will walk your Ancient Path with faith that you will forever illuminate the way. Give us clear eyes, so we will see your light and choose to follow you. We look to your salvation and find hope in your promises.

Hallelujah, LORD, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We gather on the shore, in parks and places of worship, and at city halls; we all seek your healing, hope, and compassion. We find you here, in these sacred spaces. We receive food, shelter, and peace. But we also find scorn and judgement from those who think we should just get better and rise above our conditions.

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 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.