Father,
You care for those who are in need and you bless us as we do the same - spending our lives caring for others in imitation of our Lord. We know that there is no way of living which brings us only good without trouble. But you rescue us when the day of trouble comes, and afterwards, you restore us. Others may believe in chance, or statistics, or maybe the benefit of thinking positively and then pat us on the head when we say that we trust you. But you have let us see with our eyes what we have already believed in our hearts – that you answer. You did not say to your children, “seek me in vain”. And so answer us clearly when we make requests of you so that unbelievers will be ashamed for having thought, “their God does not answer them.”
We do have many needs. I am so thankful that you do not look at us like young children who can exasperate their parents by asking for too much too often. All we hear from your word is that you want us to come to you more. And so we come. Many of us have visited the hospital this week. Doctors fumble around as best they can with instruments and medicines, but you built our bodies and made us live. Everything is from you from the healing of a scratch to the resurrection of the dead. Two weeks ago our sister Marion was in the hospital because of a head injury and blood loss. We asked you that she would recover without needing a blood transfusion. The next day, her tests showed that her levels had been restored. Now that she is home and feeling improved, please continue her recovery. We asked you to protect Naomi during her surgery last Friday. She is now home recovering with her family. Please continue to heal her and give much peace and comfort to her family as they care for her. For those others among us who are unwell in body please restore them. Give them peace and comfort to endure difficult days. Keep their faith strong.
Help us to seize the opportunities to do good. So often we genuinely desire to do good: to call someone with a small encouragement, to plead for someone in prayer, to give some kind of practical help, or to offer thanks to you for some particular kindness when our hearts are full. But we move too slowly and by the time we have managed to get ourselves in motion, the window of opportunity has closed. It can feel like life moves at double speed while we move in slow motion. Help us somehow to bring to completion the good we intend. Clear our minds so that we can recognize the deception of the thoughts that delay good works to a later that never comes. We can’t do everything with our lives that we might like, so please help us to be people that give attention to what is most important – loving you and loving each other. In these things, help us to be quick to seize the moment that we may be abundantly fruitful in the knowledge of our savior.
Father, we are Christians and as we carry that name in the world, help us to live lives worthy of it. Help us to live lives oriented by the cross.
In the cross you call us to put sin to death. In the cross you call us to forgive. In the cross you call us to the ministry of reconciliation. In the cross you call us to love one another. In the cross you call us to endure hardship. In the empty cross you call us to glory and honor and immortality.
Strengthen us for these things by the power of the Holy Spirit that you have made to live within us and make our lives look like Jesus.
Please bless our service this morning and may all that is said and done be honoring to you. Please minister to the heart of each person according to their need by your Spirit. Bring conviction to those in sin. Strengthen those who are tired. Stir the affections of those who are cold. Give wisdom to the zealous.