Now is the time to offer our concerns and celebrations and thanksgiving to the One who promises to anchor us. Let us pray:
God who sustains and anchors us, the Lord Jesus showed us by example how important it is to find a quiet place to offer prayer to you. Yet how difficult it is to find such a place in this day and time. Even now, our minds are filled with a thousand concerns that could and should be turned into prayers, yet persist in remaining mere distractions. Lord, save us from wandering thoughts, from unhealthy social media, from electronic devices that can be both a blessing and a curse. Help us to silence our hearts even as we silence our technology, lest we miss you.
We come to you in thanksgiving, for we have been the recipients of your grace, your deliverance, your strength, your unconditional love. You send angels and friends alike to encourage us when the journey is difficult, when the road is long. For this and so much more we give you our thanks. When we are blind to your presence among us, please open our eyes.
We pray for anyone who entered this sanctuary carrying the burdens of this earthly life, weighed down with concerns. May they hear your generous invitation, “Come to me, all you who are weary and carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.”
We are so encouraged by the words of scripture that we have heard today. Give us ears to hear this good news of healing and deliverance afresh, that we, through this prayer, might bring to you all who are sick. Let this be the place and let this be the day when bodies are made whole, when every sickness and disease is healed, when hearts are turned from stone to compassion, when the mentally ill are restored to soundness of mind, when demons are silenced … when demons are silenced not through our words, but silenced because they cannot resist the authority of your ultimate Word.
Lord, our world seems to become more dangerous with each passing day. Even today there is more conflict and violence and suffering to add to our prayer. How long, O Lord, how long? We confess that we cannot hold it all in our small hearts — it is simply too much. Have mercy, for you alone are our hope. Give wisdom and guidance to those who wield power with powerful weapons, that in some way, that only Mystery understands, your kingdom would come and your will would be done on earth as it is in heaven.
We pray that you would turn our worried, anxious souls into deeply anchored souls.
And so we pray:
Hide me, O my Savior, hide, till the storm of life is past.
Safe into the haven guide; O receive my soul at last.
In the Lord, in the Lord, my soul is anchored in the Lord.
We pray in the name of the one who is our hope, the One who anchors us,
the One 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.