Meditation/prayer based on Col. 1:9-14; 2 Cor. 4: 8-9

Eternal Spirit, who moves through us this morning like a refreshing summer breeze lifting our hearts and minds, and restoring our souls

We enter into the gates of this your sanctuary each with our own story, our own history of plusses and minuses, gains and losses, trials and accomplishments.  We turn our hearts with gratitude to your bounty, your grace that pulls us forward in good times and bad.  For we know from the beauty and the order of your universe that you do not deliberately harm us or cause our disappointments.  No, instead you are always there to uphold us, to be there to comfort and sustain us.  In the gift of Your Son, Jesus, you sent us the eternal message that You are always there for us, even willing to sacrifice on our behalf.  In the wonder of the love of others, whether family or friends, we see the glow of your Spirit that surrounds us if we but reach out to be connected.  For you have provided us with a world that responds to love more than hate, to kindness more than anger, to the peace that passes understanding more than violence on constant display around us.

We enter our church today aware of the theme of our Vacation Bible School, saved from a shipwreck.  So often our lives have seemed like shipwrecks, so disorganized and stressed to where we cannot see a way to serenity or peace.  As our young people learn in their lessons about shipwrecks and survival in faith, so may we take some time for us to find our way today in searching for Your healing words, your uplifting message for our own challenges and disappointments.  For you have promised us in the words of your Apostle Paul that we would be afflicted.., but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; struck down, but not destroyed. Help us to slow down the pace of our lives that we might truly be open to your message.  Lift our spirits, we pray, that we might breath more slowly, act without reacting, hear the voices of those around us with compassion and love. For those of us troubled with the challenges of our times, may we find support and healing in this your House. May those in despair find hope from your love, may those troubled by addiction and mental illness find the encouragement they need for recovery, may those in our jails and prisons see in you new hope for a life of faith in You, may those confined at home or in nursing homes and hospitals benefit from their connection to us your servants, 

For we are all of us in need of your love and grace, O God.  Each of us with our own limitations and frustrations.   For those of us with a fear and frustration that has immobilized us, may your peace enter their hearts and allow them to finally seek You and your eternal love in their surroundings.  Help us to find the resilience that allows us to spring back and find our way towards your guiding light.  Help us to learn from the teachings and life of your Son, Jesus, who gave us countless examples and parables on how to live closer to you.  Grant that we live a life that he would have us live.