December 31, 2023

Offered by Nanette Sawyer, Associate Pastor

O Holy God, we know that you are a God of many stories, a God of all creation. You have shaped us each when you created us, placing the image of your own being at the center of our identities. You are closer to us than our own breath. Help us to remember you with every breath we take. Help us to feel your spirit of life, your vitality flowing into us with our breath.

Heal our hearts and help us to know, down deep in our very bones, that we are precious to you, that we matter to you, that you are with us, Emmanuel, the Holy Spirit, through every moment of every day. We thank you for this life that you have given us and for the sure and certain knowledge that we belong to you in life and in death. Our lives are in you, now and forever.

We know that you are at work in all the places of pain in this world, and we pray that you would help us to remember that.

Strengthen us for your work in this world. Make us your hands and feet, shine your light through our smiles, and give us strength to carry on, even when we feel fear or doubt. Relieve us of those burdens and set us free to love with a love that begins with self-respect and makes itself known in our respect for others.

Open us to the many angles of your story, God, and help us to be active participants, telling your story through our lives, our service, our hopes and through our commitments.

Receive our spoken and unspoken prayers this day, Holy One, as we pray the prayer that Jesus taught us, saying, Our Father …

Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church