Tree of Life, thank you for rooting yourself within us. Though we may flirt with other codes and ideologies, chasing after hollow promises, seeking easier avenues of faith, we always return to you, our Holy Center. We honor you for your guidance that is unchanging, for your ancient promise that we have stood the test of time, for the saints whose lives have helped shape our own. Even here in the deep midwinter, we feel your divine energy surging through us. Hold us upright and steady, Lord, that we might resist the gusts of fear that drive us to doubt.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Forgive us, Empowering One, for our mulish ways. It is by your own strength embedded within us that we are able to accept the changes you offer; therefore, open the doors that have remained closed because of our stale routines and our old habits of eschewing the route to authentic growth. We confess we so often take the convenient path. Give us the wisdom to open your doorway of renewal, we pray, for you have graced us with spiritual gifts to carry out your dreams for your church and your people. Our passage may not be free of difficulties, but we remember that, though you are the same from age to age, you are also our Source who ever invites us into the fresh and new.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

We remember, Holy One, that our names are written in the palm of your hand. What joy to know that the Lord of the Universe will never forget us! We are counted among the saints! Indeed, it is a mystery too deep to fathom, yet one which calls us to keep you at the center of our being. In the solitude of these moments, we pause to thank you for our very lives . . . . . . . . . .  Glory to the One who has plans and dreams for us, who calls us blessed, and who catches us when we fall!

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Heart of Hope, you know every thought of every soul; therefore we need not list all the details of our joys and our cares.  Still, we whisper our most private petitions today in the silence of our hearts: . . . . . . . . . . ; and also turn to you with these sentiments offered by our church family.  May your gentleness enfold us all:

• Prayers appreciated: a husband’s cancer is in remission
• Grateful for prayers: clear cancer scans following surgery
• Thankful: today’s spinal surgery was successful
• One grateful for support during a family bereavement
• Gratitude for one in ICU, now recovering in regular room
• Thanksgiving for temperate weather
• Prayers for a good position for a young professional
• Prayers for members mourning recent death of beloved mother/sister
• God’s hand in finding proper care for a sister who suffered a major stroke
• Healing work within a family: sudden death of mother, caretaker of infirm child
• Prayers for young friend in hospice care & her grieving husband, their friends and family
• Healing for member with Covid
• Family bereft following the sudden death of 7-yr-old daughter
• Prayers for daughter soon to begin proton therapy
• Comfort for widower who recently moved to assisted living
• Dear family friend with cancer, that a route to healing may be found
• Two couples adjusting to Parkinson-related challenges
• Beloved father in hospice care
• Continued prayers for mother, long-term battle with cancer
• Continued prayers: ill adult daughter, severe effects of Covid
• Comfort for families of 3 church families in mourning

May our prayers be acceptable in your sight, and may our lives proclaim the changeless love of our Living Lord.  In Christ’s name we make our prayer:

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.