Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Thank you, O God for helping us to have a varsity level faith as we focus on
Paul’s Letter to Ephesians during these summer Sundays.
Help us to be the people you have called us to be by making
worship a priority and by practicing Christian unity where we are able to see
each other as brothers and sisters in Christ even though we might have very
different opinions on a variety of topics. You are the reason that we are able
to have unity in the church. You are the reason why we are no longer strangers,
but citizens of the household of God.
In a world where there is so much discord and disunity, may
we as co-workers in your kingdom, seek peace and reconciliation in our
community and throughout the world. Thank you for the safe return of our
mission team and for the new friendships they formed during their time in
Nicaragua this past week. May the seeds that they planted through their sharing
and labor of love be a blessing to that community.
O God, our hearts are heavy over the recent shootings in
Chattanooga, Tennessee. Comfort the families who have lost loved ones with your
love. Even in the midst of this tragedy, thank you for Olivet Baptist Church
and for the hundreds of people including both the Christian and Muslim
communities of that area who gathered for a vigil on Friday night. May all
faith communities promote unity, peace, and respect as we seek to make this
world a better place.
We pray for individuals, families, and loved ones who may be
on our minds this day. Bless them in whatever they may be facing and remind
them that they are not alone and they are being lifted in prayer this day.
And Lord, I want to thank you for blessing us all this
morning with yet another “Thin Place” moment, a holy moment when we were drawn
closer to you when we stood and held each other’s hands at the end of the
sermon. That was a moment that will stay with us, because you were right here
in our midst in that special time.
As we begin a new week, may we continue to be open to the
“Thin Place” moments you have in store for us this week through our daily
routine, through the people we meet, and as we spend time with you. Thank you
for the joy we receive in these holy moments and for reminding us that heaven
is closer than we think.
And now, as brothers and sisters in Christ, united by your
presence with us, we join together in saying the Lord’s Prayer…”Our Father, who
art in heaven…”
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