Finding the Wordsნიმუში

Dear Lord Jesus

When we gather in Your name to glorify You at church, we have not gathered there because we all like the same sports teams, or are all in the same life stage, or all have the same standard of living, or all work the same jobs. We gather at church because YOU have united us.

We are a diverse group of people, and You are the one true God. The only things we share in common are our creation by You in Your image, our fall into sinfulness, and our shared hope in the new life and forgiveness You provide.

We praise You for bringing us to God and for bringing us together (along with millions of others on this planet) as Your body. We declare today that we are not alone. We are always with You - for never will You leave us or forsake us as You will be with us to the end of the age and on into eternity. We also are with Your people. We look around our churches and are so encouraged by the fact that You have united us with a team — Your team — in this life.

Dear Lord, we spend much time wondering where we fit in this world. Thank You that as we gather at church, we are reminded that we belong among Your people and we are outfitted for Your mission.

May You give us the grace to step toward the community You have created for us in the days ahead, and may You cause the interactions we have with each other to give You glory and to inspire and encourage us to live for Your purposes.

It is in Your name we pray, AMEN