Opening Prayer

Triune God, you live and reign forever, world without end.

Scripture

Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen.

-Revelation 1:7

Reflection

Holy Spirit, kindle the flame of our faith. Grow us in Faithfulness. May we embrace and ever hold fast to the blessed hope of everlasting life.

Scripture

Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen.

-Revelation 1:7

Prayer

You Jesus, are not safe.

We long to see your return, yet we tremble.

Each of us finds in our hands the bloodied spear that pierced you.

We lament.

Oh God have mercy on us.

Memories of our shortcomings flash before our eyes in a never ending sequence of shame.

We hide our faces.

We are not worthy to look at the lamb that was slain.

Yet you don’t see us as wretched.

You see us through the eyes of an artist.

The creator who made what he made.

Who turns our imperfections into beauty.

While we hide our faces, you lift our chins.

You took on our guilt.

Our shame was buried with you.

You buried our iniquity in sheol and rose again, the hope of the world.

You revealed I am who I am.

Compassionate and gracious.

Slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin.

Praise be that you Are who you Are.

Closing

Behold we are the servants of the Lord. Let it be to us according to your word. May we rest in the peace that the darkness can never extinguish the light that has been given to us.