God of hope, God of mercy,

Faithful God, forgiving God, holy God,

We have your Word, your promise—and we trust in the fact that

the Lord is near to all who call upon him,

to all who call upon him in truth.

We have been invited to ask, to seek, to knock, with promise of answer,

for we believe you rule over all,

and in your hand is power and might.

So we address our petitions to

the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God,

worthy to receive honor

and glory for ever and ever

Father God, we would that our moments of trust were with us always,

but events come into our lives and we are filled with questions.

We need the reinforcement that you have the answers.

We stand mute before inexplicable circumstances, but there are no

mysteries for you.

There are no facts you do not know;

no problems you cannot solve;

no events you cannot explain;

no hypocrisy through which you do not see;

no secrets of ours unknown to you.

We are truly unmasked before you, and you see us as we really are—

filled with our pride,

our selfishness,

our shallowness,

our impatience,

our blatant carnality.

We would despair were it not so that

you, O Lord, are compassionate and gracious,

slow to anger and abounding in loving-kindness . . . .

You have not dealt with us according to our sins,

for as high as the heavens are above the earth,

so great is your loving-kindness toward those who fear you.

So we crave today

a clean life,

a quiet spirit,

an honest tongue,

a believing heart,

a redeemed soul.

Thank you, God, that the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from

all unrighteousness.

Now, may we enjoy you forever!

Amen