In Christ we have bold and confident access to God through faith in him. (Ephesians 3: 12, Common English Bible)

Make us bold, O God, for we are your children. May we approach you with freedom and confidence. May we proclaim you with audacious hope and radical trust. May we live our lives joyfully and responsibly. Through Christ Jesus, our access to God. Amen. 

And so here I am, preaching and writing about things that are way over my head, the inexhaustible riches and generosity of Christ. My task is to bring out in the open and make plain what God, who created all this in the first place, has been doing in secret and behind the scenes all along. (Ephesians 3: 8-9, The Message)

Who can grasp you fully? The riches of your grace and generosity are over our heads! Help us open ourselves up to your love. Help us soak ourselves in your grace. Then, having experienced the beauty of your mystery, help us bring it out in the open and make it plain to everyone. Through Jesus Christ. Amen.  

Christ is our peace. He made both Jews and Gentiles into one group. With his body, he broke down the barrier of hatred that divided us. (Ephesians 2: 14, Common English Bible)

We lament and deplore, O God, for we are divided by so many things. Yet, through your life, death and resurrection, you have broken down the dividing walls of hatred! You have reconciled everyone to you and into one humanity! Grant us grace to join you in building bridges, and not barriers. Help us make a fresh start and grow into one body – the body of Christ, our Peace. Amen.

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God— not the result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life. (Ephesians 2: 8-10)

We have nothing to boast before you, O God. It is your grace that has saved us. It is the same grace that has brought us thus far. Rejoicing in our salvation and trusting in your grace, may we devote our lives to doing the good works you prepared beforehand to be our way of lives. Through Jesus Christ, our Savior. Amen.  

That’s why, when I heard of the solid trust you have in the Master Jesus and your outpouring of love to all the followers of Jesus, I couldn’t stop thanking God for you—every time I prayed, I’d think of you and give thanks. (Ephesians 1: 15-16, The Message)

For the seed of faith planted in our hearts, we give you thanks, O God. For the strong bond of love and mutual care among us, we praise you, O God. May we continue to grow in solid trust in you. May we continue to reach out to all your people in care and compassion. May we hold one other in our prayers and give you thanks. Through Christ Jesus, our Master. Amen.

It’s in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. Long before we first heard of Christ and got our hopes up, he had his eye on us, had designs on us for glorious living, part of the overall purpose he is working out in everything and everyone. (Ephesians 1: 11-12, The Message)

You always had your eye on us, O God. You had designs on us for glorious living, just like you did and do for everything and everyone. Help us live in you, O God, that clear about who we are and what we are living for, we may live a life worthy of your design and calling. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Create in me a clean heart, O God,

and put a new and right spirit within me. (Psalm 51: 10)

We are meant to reflect your image the way clear waters reflect what is above them. Forgive us when, in our need to determine our own lives, we have muddied the waters. Create in us a clean heart, O God, and put a new, faithful spirit deep inside us, that we may reflect your image with perfect clarity. In Jesus’ name we pray. 

Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. (Hebrews 12: 2, The Message)

Sometime, the race we are in seems long, too long, and we feel weary, O God. We wonder whether there will ever be a finish line. Help us fix our eyes on you and never lose heart. Guide our feet and hold our hands, that we may not run this race in vain. Through Jesus Christ. Amen.

The way of the righteous is like morning light

that gets brighter and brighter till it is full day.

The path of the wicked is like deep darkness;

they don’t know where they will stumble. (Proverbs 4: 18-19)

Make our path brighter and brighter each hour, O God. Make our life grow fuller and fuller each day. Make our words more loving; make our deeds more caring; make our hearts more holy, more like Jesus, each moment. Clear Sun of Righteousness shining on our path, may we make this life’s journey with the courage and confidence of the children of light. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart

and lean not on your own understanding;

in all your ways submit to him,

and he will make your paths straight.

Do not be wise in your own eyes;

fear the Lord and shun evil.

This will bring health to your body

and nourishment to your bones. (Proverbs 3: 5-8)

Help us trust in you with our whole heart, O God, and not rely on our own understanding. Help us know you in all our paths and submit to your will. Nourish our bones with your infinite wisdom; fortify our bodies with the energy of your boundless grace, that we may continue in your favor all the days of our lives. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen. 

I am the Lord who acts with kindness,

justice, and righteousness in the world,

and I delight in these things,

declares the Lord. (Jeremiah 9:23-24 Common English Bible)

Draw us closer to you, O God,

that we may know you better and serve you better.

Let us not persist in our own convictions,

but pursue what is good and pleasing in your sight.

May we rejoice in your hearts’ desire,

acting with kindness and setting things just and fair.

Through Jesus Christ. Amen.

The Lord declares, Am I a God

    who is only nearby and not far off?

Can people hide themselves in secret places

    so I might not see them?

Don’t I fill heaven and earth? (Jeremiah 23:23-24 Common English Bible)

O God, you are everywhere –

in confusing and chaotic times, as well as in our quiet moments;

in public sphere, as well as in secret corners of our private lives; 

You reign high above the heavens.

Even so, you are all around us – closer than the very air we breathe.

When worry arises and fear creeps in,

help us turn to you and trust in your tender presence.

In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

I ask him to strengthen you by his Spirit—not a brute strength but a glorious inner strength—that Christ will live in you as you open the door and invite him in. And I ask him that with both feet planted firmly on love, you’ll be able to take in with all followers of Jesus the extravagant dimensions of Christ’s love. (Ephesians 3: 16-18, The Message)

Make us strong, O God,

not with a brute strength

but with a gentle and glorious inner strength.

Come and dwell in our hearts,

that firmly planted in your love,

we may take in all the riches of your grace

and share them with others.

Through Jesus Christ. Amen.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,

   and do not rely on your own insight.

In all your ways acknowledge him,

   and he will make straight your paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6) 

We are in the dark, O God. We would like to think that we know what we are doing and where we are headed. But our knowledge is incomplete, and our vision limited. Forgive us when we fail to trust in you. Forgive us when we doubt your power to transform our lives and the world. In everything we do and everywhere we go, help us listen for your voice and stay on track. Through Jesus, our Lord and Savior. Amen.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all consolation, who consoles us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to console those who are in any affliction with the consolation with which we ourselves are consoled by God. (2 Corinthians 1: 3-4)

God of all mercies, you console us in our affliction; you strengthen us in our weakness. You shower on us grace upon grace. Help us console others just like we’ve been consoled; help us strengthen others just like we’ve been strengthened. Having received from you grace upon grace, may we offer it to others, for your blessings, O God, are intended to be shared with all. In Jesus name we pray. Amen. 

Rescue me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked,

    from the grasp of the unjust and cruel.

For you, O Lord, are my hope,

    my trust, O Lord, from my youth. (Psalm 71: 4-5)

O God, you, indeed, are our trust and our hope. You, indeed, are our refuge and our salvation. Put your ear to the ground and listen to your children moaning and groaning. Bend your ear and hear our desperate cries. We ache for your justice; we yearn for your peace; we long for your salvation. Come and rescue us, O God! Through Christ Jesus. Amen.

Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus,

who, though he was in the form of God,

    did not regard equality with God

    as something to be exploited,

but emptied himself,

    taking the form of a slave,

    being born in human likeness. (Philippians 2: 5-7)

Christ Jesus, you had equal status with God. But, instead of clinging to the advantages of that status, you emptied yourself and came to us in flesh and blood. Instead of claiming special privileges, you lived a selfless, obedient life, and then died a selfless, obedient death, even death on a cross. Help us adopt the same mind and the same attitude, that we may have life and have it abundantly. In your holy name we pray. Amen.

Is not this the fast that I choose:

  to loose the bonds of injustice,

  to undo the thongs of the yoke,

to let the oppressed go free,

  and to break every yoke? (Isaiah 58:6)

Forgive us, O God, when we turn deaf ears to the cries of the helpless, powerless, destitute, and desperate. Save us, O God, from our insensitive and cruel disregard for our brothers and sisters. Lead us to a deeper faith, that we may break the chains of injustice, untie the ropes of every yoke, and make the sacrifices that are acceptable and pleasing to you. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.  

Happy are those

    who do not follow the advice of the wicked,

or take the path that sinners tread,

    or sit in the seat of scoffers;

but their delight is in the law of the Lord,

    and on his law they meditate day and night.

(Psalm 1: 1-2)

You are a God of happiness.

You want us to be happy and blessed.

You want us to flourish and proper.

Help us not to seek our happiness in wrong places –

     possession, power, pride, pleasure….

Help us realize that unless all can breathe freely,

     we can’t be truly happy.

Hear our prayers, O God, and make us happy,

     for we are all your children created in your image

     and we delight in your law.

Through Christ Jesus, our Blessed Savior. Amen.

Christ is our peace. He made both Jews and Gentiles into one group. With his body, he broke down the barrier of hatred that divided us. (Ephesians 2:14)

We grieve and mourn, O God,

     for there is so much anger and violence around us.

We lament and deplore, O God,

     for the barriers of hatred are too deep and too high.

Let us sow hope where there is despair.

Together, as your body,

     let us break down the barriers of hatred that divide us

     and sow love in their place.

Through Christ, our Peace. Amen.

So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. (Colossians 3:12-13, The Message)

Thank you for choosing us for new life of love!

Thank you for the beautiful wardrobe you picked out for us –

compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, and discipline!

Forgive us when we insist on wearing our old garments.

In case of offenses or hurt feelings,

help us forgive each other quickly and completely,

that we may truly live the life of love you have chosen for us.

In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful. (Colossians 3:14-15)

You call us, your body, to your peace.

You call us, your church, to your perfect harmony.

Help us clothe ourselves with love;

Help us let your peace rule in our hearts;

that in everything we do,

your name be glorified.

Through Christ Jesus, our Peace. Amen

Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? And why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, “ (Matthew 6:26-28)

Free us from our worries, O Lord,

    worries about our daily existence,

    worries about tomorrow,

    worries about our and our children’s future.

Help us look at the wildflowers and trust.

Help us look at the birds in the air and rejoice.

Help us remember your goodness and be grateful.

In your holy name we pray. Amen.

It’s in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. Long before we first heard of Christ and got our hopes up, he had his eye on us, had designs on us for glorious living, part of the overall purpose he is working out in everything and everyone. (Ephesians 1:11-12, The Message)

Your eyes are on the sparrow; your eyes are on us, O God!

Even before we heard of you, even before we were born,

you had a plan for us – a plan for glorious living.

Help us shape our lives according to your design.

Help us live each moment in ways that serve your good purpose.

Help us keep our hopes up in you.

In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.