Heavenly Father,
You are a God of endless love, faithfulness, compassion, and mercy. You are so good and worthy of all our honor and praise. Thank you for your word, where you are know by many names that reveal your character to us. Thank you for Jesus, your word made flesh, who is everything, the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and end.
We thank you God, that we are now able to see other people in person again after two long years of this pandemic. We pray that the virus numbers continue to go down so that all of us can feel safe again around each other. Holy Father, you are Jehovah Rapha, the LORD our healer. As you heal us from our sickness, grief, and fear, we ask you today for spiritual healing.
Lord, we confess that we have filled our hearts and minds with so many things – our ambitions, desires, worries, fears, and distractions, that we have little room left for Jesus. We constantly carry around our devices to be connected with the world around us, but have neglected the most important connection, which is our connection with you.
Father God, you are El Shaddai, Lord God Almighty. You are all powerful, and nothing is impossible for you. Father, we ask you for something only you can do: that you revive our faith and awaken our spirits to return to our first love for you. Restore our hearts for worship. Help us have fresh eyes to clearly see all the ways you are working around us and in our lives. Renew our passion and desire for your presence and the truth of your word. Restore our joy and let our gratitude lead us to a true desire to please you.
Lord Jesus, we know you created us to be in loving, supportive community, and that where two or more of us are gathered in your name, you promise you are there with us. Your church is not just a building, or the rituals we have created, but is made up of all the people you’ve called out of the darkness into the light by the message of your gospel. We are the body of Christ, your children, your kingdom on earth, set apart from the world to love and worship you and to serve each other in love. Your power is multiplied when we come together in worship, encourage each other, and build each other up in faith.
Lord, we know that even when we can’t see it, you are always faithfully working for our good, and your glory and that you promise to bring good out of our hardship. Father, as we are coming back after this separation, let us not just return to “normal”, the church we had before the pandemic, but with fresh love and purpose: to seek you, to serve one another and reach out to all those who need to hear your message of salvation.
Lord, we know you love everyone, and your greatest joy is for the lost to return to you. Thank you for your forgiveness and always welcoming us back when we’ve drifted away. We pray for unbelievers Lord, that you would open their eyes to see your beauty and power. Shine your love into their hearts and grant them wisdom to see their need for Jesus.
Bless your church Lord, and let us grow, not just in numbers, but in wisdom, faith, devotion, and purpose. Let your will be done in our lives and in your church. Lord Jesus, help me be still and renew my life in you.
Amen
Prayer written by Kelly Milburn