Sunday, February 8, 2009
Offered by Donna Gray, Minister for Children and Families

Lord our God, great, eternal, wonderful, utterly to be trusted, you give life to us all; you help those who come to you; you give hope to those who appeal to you.

Show us how to see you with the eyes of faith and to hear with understanding what you have to say to us. Make us thankful for all the good we have received from you, you who are the everlasting God, the creator of the ends of the earth. We thank you for redeeming our times, for sanctifying the everyday events of life with your presence.

Gracious God, the story of your love for us makes us realize that there are many others who need your help and your grace this day—and maybe we do, too.

There are many whose lives are crippled and inhibited by illness, ignorance, bitterness, addiction, loneliness, or grief. We know and love some of these; you know and love them all. Take them into the care and skill of your own hands. We pray for our sister church Holy Name as they recover from a fire that has displaced them from their beloved sanctuary. We pray for all whose decisions affect others, whether at work, school, government, or in church life. Help us to be certain that in every situation we can turn to you. Bring us to see that no situation in life, no discovery about the universe, no insight into the nature of humankind or the course of history need turn us away from you or make us despair. You are our God, the creator of the universe. Come to us in mercy and awaken our faith. Hear us as we pray together, Our Father . . .

Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church