Lord Jesus, as we gather at the river, we are reminded that we are your blessed, beloved, and beautiful children of God. And there are no exceptions, asterisks, or loopholes. There are no strings attached and there is no fine print. Thank you for this first Sunday in Lent when we can once again gather at the river with you to begin this journey to the cross and the empty tomb of Easter.
Today, we pray for anyone who may be struggling with who they are and who you have called them to be. May they know that you have created them in your image and that you have given them a purpose in life. And thank you for entrusting our church with the mission of sharing this good news with the people around us.
We lift up to you the people in our church’s prayer list that they would be reminded that they are loved and they belong to you. And we also lift up to you the many other people who are on our hearts and minds this day that they would be reassured of your goodness, your unconditional love, and of your presence.
Whenever we forget our identity and purpose in life, remind us to remember our baptism and be thankful. Remind us to take a moment out of our busy schedules to reflect on your Word, to take a moment to pray, or even to pull over into the church parking lot and know that you love us so much that you were willing to die on a cross and rise again for our sake.
And so be with us during this Season of Lent and may we continually be reminded of who we are because of who you are, our Lord and our Savior. It is in your holy and loving Name that we join now in praying together…
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
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