010

heavenly father, pull us near to you this morning.  

god, we confess that we often forget that the scale is broken.  that you broke the scale by which we measure ourselves.  and we confess that we often choose not just to measure ourselves and our worth by that scale, but we choose to measure our neighbor by it.  

god, we also confess that we have done it again.  the thing we know you don’t want for us.  that which was not ours to do.  the thing we promised we’d never do again.  that which we know does not align with your love.  and god, we confess that we have allowed that thing, that act, that thought to drive us away from the people you have placed in our lives--the people you know we need.   

but lord, it is not about what we have done--what we have done well, or what we have done poorly, or even about that which we have left undone.  instead, it is about the fact that you have chosen us, and you love us, and you are with us--shaping us and using us to bring your kingdom near.

father, the hope of your promise springs from the very ground you made.  the ground from which you formed us, when you gathered the dust and breathed your breath.  your breath, which you breathed into each and every person we meet, regardless of where we would rank them on the scale you have broken.

evidence of your power and grace and beauty is all around us, and we praise you.  we pray that paul’s words, this morning, would not fall on unhearing ears and hardened hearts, but that we would be the people who seek to bring your kingdom here on earth.  we pray this is jesus’ holy and lovely and enduring name.  amen.

009

god, you love us.  you love us so much.  you would go any length to bring us near to you.  that is an amazing truth--that, despite all the ways we fall short, you love us.  and nothing else should matter, but your love and the power that truth holds.  

you are our great father, and you have offered us the most boundless love throughout all our days.  you loved us on the day we were born.  you loved us on the day we took our first steps.  you loved us on the day we spoke our first word.  you loved us on the day we told our brother we hated him.  you loved us on the day we acted out of jealousy.  you loved us on the day we won the race.  you loved us on the day we graduated.  you loved us on the day we took what was not ours.   you loved us on the day we were afraid.  you loved us on the day we doubted.  you loved us on the day we got the promotion.  you loved us on the day we lied.  you loved us on the day we hurt her.  you loved us on the day we hurt ourselves.  you loved us on the day we felt near to heaven.  you loved us on the day we gave birth.  you loved us on the day we confessed our love for you.  you loved us on the day we gave up.  you have loved us on all of our days.  you have loved us from the very beginning, with the same incomprehensible love you offer us now.  nothing we have done or will do can possibly change that, and so the scale is broken.  

we find ourselves enveloped in the mess of this world.  we listen to the voice that prompts us to climb, that tells us our worth is tied to our finances, our grades, the number of children we have, the places we travel, the size of our waist, and the size of our house.  this voice--it tells us to keep climbing, to keep seeking, to chase after things that have no worth in your kingdom.  

but these things, lord.  these things we consider means of measure offer nothing and hold nothing.  your love is beckoning to us, and we want to listen.  father, we pray that [      ] would speak words of truth and life into this place, and that we would leave here a shaken and changed people who seek to do your will and live in light of your love.  order our lives according to your will, and form us into people who love as you love.  amen.

008

father, you made the world and said it was good.  you formed us from the dust and your breath, and you said we were very good.  you saw us fall, and sent your son to raise us.  you came to us as a baby who cried in solidarity with us, and grew into a man who offered his life for us.  you have made a way for us.  out of the darkness we chose, you have made a way.

god, you are the king above all kings.  you shake the earth with holy thunder.  at your word, mountains crumble.  at your word birds fly.  at your word, the storm settles.  and at your word, we are set free. 

in all of your perfection and power, and in all of our unworthiness, you have chosen us and you go to battle for us.  in the darkness we have loved, the brokenness we have clung to, and the pain we can’t seem to escape – you are with us, and you have always been with us. 

let us not forget this, lord, let us not doubt this – the mightiest of truths – that you love us and you have made us free, as none else can.  so let us order our days, lord, according to your amazing grace.  let us be kind to one another, offer love to our enemies, and let us be generous with that which you have given us. 

god, we pray you would form our lives to align with your will.  that you would shape us into the people who not only do your will, but who want to do your will, the people who want to bring your kingdom near.  embolden us, as we seek to be lights in this world, as we strive to live and love more like jesus.  amen.

007

heavenly father, some of us woke up this morning, gathered here with good intentions, but we sit here on empty.  we are tired, we are weary, and we’re not sure if we have anything else to offer in the coming week.  

to you, lord, we call.  you are our rock.  hear our cry as we lift our hands toward your most holy place.

let us not speak cordially with our neighbors, while harboring malice in our hearts.  keep us mindful of that which you have done for us, so we may act in our lives according to that which your sacrifice deserves from us.  

praise be to you, lord, who has heard our cries for mercy.  you are our strength and our shield. our hearts will trust in you, and leap for joy on your behalf.  

your voice thunders over the waters, the mountains, the hills, and the streets.  let us not forget your power and might, which is not separate from your grace and your love for your children.  lord, you are king for all of the days.  we praise you, and seek to do your will in bringing heaven near.

lead us in the way that is pleasing to you, and make us into the people who live and who love more like your son, jesus.  amen.