God of each new day
and all the days that have gone before us –
all the way back to the beginning –
and all the days that have yet to unfold –
all the way into the eternal embrace of Your Love –
we thank you for the rhythm that You bring to life,
for guiding light,
for expansive love,
for Your sustaining grace.
We confess, this day,
just how often we lose sight of You
in all the spaces and the changes …
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
We confess, this day,
those parts of our lives that have become dull and shaded
by an absence of love or light …
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
We confess, this day,
our tendency to walk out of step with Your Spirit and truth,
favouring too much either rest or work …
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Give us, this day,
the grace to recognise and experience the Love
that embraces and shapes and fills
not only our world –
but our innermost being –
as we open our hearts and minds
to Your living Word
who calls us
to be hopeful,
to take risks,
to be committed,
to be determined,
to be generous,
to dream of what can be
as we take his lead
and tell a story –
about You and about us –
that sets us free
to live and breathe and move and have our being
in Jesus’ name.
Amen.
In silence, reflect:
- Where have you felt the presence of God this week?
- Where have you felt an absence of God this week?
- What difference does the absence or presence of God make to life?