“Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.”
We will sing of your steadfast love, O Lord, forever; with our mouth we will proclaim your faithfulness to all generations. Blessed are you, O Lord, Emmanuel, the God who is with us. In the Garden you were with us as your Word shaped all of Creation. Through Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, you were with us as your Word crafted a Covenant. You were with us in Egypt; your Word empowering our Exodus. You were with us at Sinai; your Word thundering in command. You were with us in wilderness; your Word as daily bread. We declare that your steadfast love is established forever; your faithfulness is as firm as the heavens. (Psalm 89:1-2)
You were with us at Christmas. Your Word stilled a star and conducted a choir of angels. Indeed, your Word became the very flesh of our flesh and bone of our bone. delivered unto us a Son who would save us from our sins.
Emmanuel, we bow down toward your holy temple and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness; for you have exalted your name and your word above everything. (Psalm 138:2)
Come Holy Spirit, you who overshadowed the Temple and the Virgin Mary with your glory. We humbly ask you to overshadow us such that when others encounter us they sense being with you. Transform our meager hospitality into heaven’s welcome. Make us kind and good and gentle in ways that point to your presence in our midst. As others are with us, may they sense a growing measure of being with you.
Come Holy Spirit. Overshadow. Hear our prayers for nothing is impossible for you: (insert specific concerns here)
Come Holy Spirit. Overshadow. Awaken our church to glory of your nearness, the grandeur of your Word and the joy of your mission in the World. In all things, grant us the grace of obedience. Hear our prayer with Mary who said
“Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.”
And hear us as we pray the prayer Jesus taught us saying: Our Father. . . . .
Prayer taken from Praying the Story, (Dunnam & Walt)
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