Confession
Acts 3:19 "Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord." By confessing our sins to God, not only do we acknowledge our weakness, but we place our trust in God's power to cleanse us of our sin through Christ Jesus.
And now we know that our guilt is taken away, and our sin is atoned for.
Prayer
Heavenly Father,
We thank you that we live in an amazing part of history - we live not just in the shadow of the cross and the forgiveness of our sins, but we live in the light of Jesus' rising from the dead, in the time of victory over sin, and in the age of the Holy Spirit. We thank you that you have poured out your spirit on us, and that you choose to dwell within us, empowering us to do your will no matter where we go or what we do. We thank you for including us not just into your kingdom, but into your plan for the world. We ask that you would use us as faithful servants as you seek to reach the world with the saving message of Christ's coming, death and resurrection.
We thank you that you are glorified by the raising of your son, that you have proven your power over our greatest enemies, sin and death, and we can live assured of that by knowledge of Christ living both in us, and sitting at your right hand. May you be praised for your love and mercy, now and forever more.
And yet, though we live in the world's last age, and in the light of the resurrection, there is still suffering in this world. There are wars and rumours of wars, there are earthquakes, famines and pestilences. There are events in the world that make us fear. People across the world are put in prisons and dragged before tribunals to be persecuted because they call themselves Christian. But all these things we were told to expect by Jesus, and we know that they will not last forever. Still, we pray for those who suffer because of their faith, or because of sickness, or hardship or trouble. We now take a moment to silently commit them to you now. We pray that you will fill them with your spirit, and that you will be their comfort - for we know that suffering with you is better than having all luxury without you.
Finally Lord, we pray for those who serve our country in the armed forces, and for their families. They make many sacrifices - they constantly train to be ready, and they risk their lives and their safety, their families are constantly moved around and must wait for their loved ones to return home - all to protect people's freedom. Part of that freedom is the freedom to worship and serve you in safety. And so we remember our miliary personnel and their families, and we ask you to bless them and encourage them, to keep them safe and bring them home in one piece.
Acts 3:19 "Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord." By confessing our sins to God, not only do we acknowledge our weakness, but we place our trust in God's power to cleanse us of our sin through Christ Jesus.
And now we know that our guilt is taken away, and our sin is atoned for.
Prayer
Heavenly Father,
We thank you that we live in an amazing part of history - we live not just in the shadow of the cross and the forgiveness of our sins, but we live in the light of Jesus' rising from the dead, in the time of victory over sin, and in the age of the Holy Spirit. We thank you that you have poured out your spirit on us, and that you choose to dwell within us, empowering us to do your will no matter where we go or what we do. We thank you for including us not just into your kingdom, but into your plan for the world. We ask that you would use us as faithful servants as you seek to reach the world with the saving message of Christ's coming, death and resurrection.
We thank you that you are glorified by the raising of your son, that you have proven your power over our greatest enemies, sin and death, and we can live assured of that by knowledge of Christ living both in us, and sitting at your right hand. May you be praised for your love and mercy, now and forever more.
And yet, though we live in the world's last age, and in the light of the resurrection, there is still suffering in this world. There are wars and rumours of wars, there are earthquakes, famines and pestilences. There are events in the world that make us fear. People across the world are put in prisons and dragged before tribunals to be persecuted because they call themselves Christian. But all these things we were told to expect by Jesus, and we know that they will not last forever. Still, we pray for those who suffer because of their faith, or because of sickness, or hardship or trouble. We now take a moment to silently commit them to you now. We pray that you will fill them with your spirit, and that you will be their comfort - for we know that suffering with you is better than having all luxury without you.
Finally Lord, we pray for those who serve our country in the armed forces, and for their families. They make many sacrifices - they constantly train to be ready, and they risk their lives and their safety, their families are constantly moved around and must wait for their loved ones to return home - all to protect people's freedom. Part of that freedom is the freedom to worship and serve you in safety. And so we remember our miliary personnel and their families, and we ask you to bless them and encourage them, to keep them safe and bring them home in one piece.
Amen
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