All-knowing God,

Before we were conceived, you knew us. You created each of us with a plan and a purpose. You took on the form of a man and lived on the earth. You suffered the agony of crucifixion in our place-the perfect one, sacrificed for my sin. You went beyond conquering the grave and victoriously rose again. Your power is greater than anything or anyone else. Why would you do all that? You are love and all of your words and actions display your love. You created each of us for a relationship with you. You knew that Simon Peter would succumb to temptation and deny you, but you wanted him to fulfill the purposes you had for him and you prayed that his faith would not fail. We trust, LORD Jesus, that you know our individual past, present and future. We trust that you are interceding on our behalf so that our faith will not fail and that we can strengthen one another.

 

Communication with you is a sweet fragrance…is music to our ears…is a vision beyond compare. We long for you with all that is in us. Without you we are lost in the muck and mire of this world. You desire that none should perish, but that all should have eternal life. But, you do not force us to come to you, to open ourselves to a relationship with you. You invite, you offer, you knock on the door to our hearts and minds. Help me, LORD, to always open the door when you call to me. Help me to share you with those who are empty and hungering to know you. Help me to encourage brothers and sisters in the faith. Thank you for blessing me with your presence.

 

You, LORD, are compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in love. You will not always accuse or harbor your anger forever, not treating us as our sins deserve or repaying us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is your love for those who fear you, as far as the east is from the west, so far have you removed our transgressions from us. [Psalm 103: 8-12.] Yours are the kingdom, the power and the glory forever. In Jesus’ name, we pray. AMEN.