Father,
When we consider ourselves and find that we still exist and are alive, we remember you from whom our being came. As long as this remains true, we who love you will speak and sing to you, and about you. And as we go about our lives, may praise for you flash out from our inner person into the ears of others and most of all to yours.
It’s easy for us to begin relying on some strong seeming person for what we need, until we consider that they could fall in a moment. Whatever network of finances or influence or knowledge holds up the illusion of strength, it could come crashing down in a day. You give happiness to the one who looks to you for help.
You made the kaleidoscopic sky and the resources of the earth. You made the secret wonders of the oceans. What you have once said, stands forever. You help those whose problems are too complicated or below the notice of others. You give food to those who are hungry. You are the bringer of freedom. You are the healer of the body and the enlightener of the mind. You bring honor to those who are crushed. You love the righteous. You watch over those who are traveling. You hold up those who have no family. You ruin the life of the wicked.
We can’t wait until the final day when we see everything brought into subjection to you. But we desire to see your kingdom extending and your people flourishing now. We are not discontent with your lavish provision for us, but we always desire more of you and we want to see you honor your church before the world so that they may see what we already know - that you love us and work among us. May many now outside see it and be brought to their knees in worship and repentance.
Even we who belong to you continue to need to come to you in repentance. You have told us what kinds of things we ought to fill our minds with, but instead we have spent our idle moments glutting ourselves with things that are false, corrupt, unfair, impure, repulsive, reprehensible, inferior, and disgraceful. Cleanse our inner person from these things. Forgive us and stir up our craving for those worthy meditations of the mind by which you bring us peace.
We thank you for sending your unique son that through his death we might become your adopted sons and daughters. Help us count ourselves dead to the old motives of our old selves in our old life, as we really are. Instead let us live the life of sons - offering our physical bodies and mental talents as tools of righteousness in your hands.
Please continue to bless this service. May our songs and prayers and spoken words and the secret meditations of our hearts be pleasing to you.