God, we draw near to you, trusting you will draw near to us.
In this nearness, this closeness to your love—healing happens.
Draw us nearer to the place of healing, nearer to our home in you.
A home where our vulnerability is met by your accessibility,
A home where love abounds.
God, in your love draw near.
Draw near to those devastated by Hurricane Helene. From wind-torn coastal towns to the flood-soaked North Carolina mountains—draw near. For those who have lost loved ones and those who have lost homes, or businesses, churches, or schools—draw near.
For those displaced and wondering what is next—draw near. For those who are working to replant and rebuild and restore—God in your love, draw near.
Draw near to those across the world facing conflicts, war, and rumors of war. We ask for your wisdom and your peace. For families ripped apart by violence—draw near. For those who do not have access to food or water—draw near. For those who are working for peace, for justice, for healing—God in your love, draw near.
Draw near to those among us—in need of greater access to you. For those who have been hurt by the church—told they didn’t belong because of who they are, who they love, how they look, or how they think, or because they feel too much—draw near. For those in your church working to expand your table, working to open doors, hearts, and minds—God in your love, draw near.
Draw near to us God, as we seek to draw nearer to call of your Son, Jesus the Christ who taught us to pray saying:
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.