Why are things the way they are? Genesis 3:1-24

Our Father in heaven,
You have given us your word but we have not listened.
Instead
we have followed our own desires
we have followed the voices of the world
Your judgement has justly come upon us
Forgive us
And shower your grace upon us
So that we may again hear your word
And seek your face
Amen

Who am I?

 

Genesis 2:4-17

Father you have made us.
From the dust of the ground
You have breathed life into us.
You have made us for life
And blessing in abundance.
You have made us to hear and obey your word.
You have made us for yourself.
We praise you
That we are fearfully and wonderfully made,
That we are treasured and known.
And we long for the renewed life that your Son has brought to us
Not in the garden but in the city.
Amen

Resurrection

Darkness.
Foggy despair.
Tears from broken love direct faltering steps
To find emptiness
It is empty!
Not there but there
Not dead but alive
Not eclosion, nor emergence
Better – resurrection!
Existence altered
Tragedy transformed
Life from darkness
Light from despair
Hope released!
Resurrection!

Loved by the Father: John 16:16-33

Our Father, in heaven,
We are so privileged to call  you that.
Jesus is with you.
He will come again.
Now, because we are loved by you,
We are blessed to be able to ask!
Help us, when we are scattered
To remember that we can ask.
To remember that we are not alone
And to remember that Jesus has overcome the world.
Amen

John 17 - The thing (and things) that really matter

Father glorify your name, even as you glorify your Son.
Father keep us
Father sanctify us
Father make us one
Empower us to go into the world
even as we are not part of it
For your glory alone
Amen

The Holy Spirit, Sin, Truth and lots of other stuff

 John 16:4b-15

Our Father

Thank you that Jesus is ascended and that the Spirit of Truth has come
We pray for him to convict the world of sin, righteousness and judgment
I pray for him to convict me of sin, righteousness and judgment
Forgive us for not being earnest about sin
Forgive us for trying to do the work of the Spirit ourselves
Thank you that you have given us truth in your Son
And that we can know your son through your word
May we seek after him with all our hearts and souls
Amen

Hate. Love. Chosen, the Holy Spirit and lots of other stuff

 John 15:18-16:4a

Our Father,
It astonishes us that the world would hate you and your Son.
We are also surprised when the world hates us.
Keep us from falling away.
Keep us strong in the face of hatred.
Ever remembering your warnings.
Seeking to bear witness for you.
And straining forward to the day when we will be with you for all eternity
Amen