We have prayed so often, dear God, the words of your Christ, “Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name” … the words flow easily, and we ofttimes forget what a gift it is - to have faith in your goodness, to trust your love, a love at work in all things, for good.
On this day, especially, dear God, we give thanks for your closeness to us, in the ups and downs of our daily walk … your love for us, when we’re up and bright and full of life, and in those times when we’re ho-hum in the doldrums, going nowhere fast … and when we’re weighed down with depression and dark thoughts, when we can hardly find our breath.
You are a loving presence, in all times and pleaces, constant in mercy. We can’t always see you, O God, and that’s ok … we have learned, even in the darkness moments, you are present … your hand is upon us … your providence at work, to guide and to guard.
We give you thanks, for the gospel that saves, the wisdom that instructs, the mercy that sustains … we vow all the more to be faithful to you, to be the light of reason, in an unreasonable time to strive for the truth in a season of many lies, to love greatly when others hate, to seek justice for all … to practice the ways of Christ.
Grant to us this day our daily bread … watch over our loved ones … bless our nation.
Watch over our beloved Presbyterian Church, and our General Assembly … may your Spirit rest mightily upon the church, giving us a vision of your Kingdom, and what needs to be done. On this Juneteenth, O LORD, give us the wherewithal to keep on running the race of life, reaching for the best and the brightest of human aspirations, filled with your divine purpose, led by the Holy Spirit.
All of this, in the name of our LORD Jesus Christ, who taught us to pray, saying:
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 debts as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen.
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