Prayer: Our Father in heaven, we give you praise and ascribe to you glory because you are good and kind, the God who comforts his people in times of difficulty and hardship. You are our God, and we are your people and the sheep of your pasture. You have called us your treasured possession, and we are because you have called us from darkness to your marvelous light. You have set our feet on the solid rock which is Christ, and you have blessed us with the good things of this life. Because of your grace, you have not and will not treat us as we deserve. You know our frame, our weaknesses, and how much we depend on you. We thank you for being good, and your steadfast love for your often wandering people endures forever. We call to mind your marvelous deeds and draw comfort from your work of calling a people to yourself. Through Abraham, you established your covenant and said that his seed would be as the sand of the seashore. You promised him a son and gave him Isaac, further establishing your promises. You then called Jacob, Joseph, Moses, and David and confirmed your eternal love for them. Finally, you gave us the seed of the woman who has crushed the head of the serpent, and in him, we, being his seed, find peace and joy as we are united to you. Your acts of redeeming a people for yourself are great and worthy of our entire life.
Yet, Father, there are times when we stray from your commands. As those people of old, we sometimes fashion idols for ourselves and forget you. Like our fathers, we often hear you but then forget what we hear. Like the church of old, we sometimes despise the good things you give and grow restless, murmuring and complaining at your kind gifts. Forgive us, Father. Please grant us the gift of repentance and help us to walk according to your ways. May you help us to praise you with our hearts, lips, and lives we pray through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Scripture Meditation: Psa. 106
