Oh God, our Heavenly Father, Thank you for all your many blessings.
On this Feast of Saint Thomas the Apostle, today’s Gospel tells how Thomas would not believe until he could see the mark of the nails and place his hand into your Son’s side.
A week later Jesus came through the locked doors, stood among them, and said, “Peace be with you,” and to Thomas he said, “Put your finger here and see my hands, and do not be unbelieving, but believe.”
Thomas answered, “My Lord and my God,” and your Son said, “Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”
Speak that same peace into my locked and worried places today, dear Father, and answer my every doubt with your nearness.
Where my faith is weak, meet me as you met Thomas, and let me say from my whole heart, “My Lord and my God.”
In your first word today, through Paul to the Ephesians, you remind me that I am no longer a stranger or a sojourner, but a fellow citizen with the holy ones and a member of your own household.
You are building me and mine together upon the foundation of the Apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the capstone, into a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.
Hold my whole household together in him, and let us grow into a temple sacred in the Lord.
The psalmist calls out, “Praise the Lord, all you nations; glorify him, all you peoples,” for steadfast is his kindness and his fidelity endures forever.
Let that steadfast kindness rest upon me this morning, and send me out to tell the Good News by the way that I live.
Thank you for the blessings I have already received, and thank you for the blessings still coming toward me, my household, and all I love.
Provide for me, for mine, and for my family with your abundance, your wealth, and your mighty force.
Comfort me and calm every worry, and steady my heart when trouble presses in.
Repair what is tottering, restore what has been broken in body, mind, and spirit, and make me whole again.
Strengthen me with your strength, fill me with your wisdom, and guide me by your light.
Heal me and heal those I love, and let your healing reach far beyond what I can see.
Forgive me my trespasses and my many shortcomings, as I forgive those who trespass against me, and release the burdens I carry so I may walk free.
Keep your hand upon me and my family, and deliver us from all evil.
We also have a silent request.
We offer you a promise of this quiet word of encouragement spoken to someone who doubts today, and we ask that you accept it.
I lift up my family, my friends, and all your children, and I place their needs and their well-being into your care.
Watch over them, provide for them, and draw them close to you.
I surrender myself and all that I am to you, trusting fully in your will.
Bless me, bless my family, and bless all who hope in you.
We pray these things to you our Lord God, through Christ. And It Is So.