Oh God, our Heavenly Father, Thank you for all your many blessings.
Today your Church honors your apostles Peter and Paul, who gave their whole lives over to you.
In today’s Gospel your Son asks, “But who do you say that I am?” and Peter answers, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Let that same confession live in my own heart today, dear Father, and let me know your Son as my Lord and my God.
Your Son tells Peter, “Upon this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.”
Build me upon that rock, steady me when I am shaken, and let nothing that comes against me prevail over the life you are building in me.
In your first word today an angel of the Lord stood by Peter in his prison cell, the light shone, and the chains fell from his wrists.
Send your angel to me and to mine, break every chain that binds us, and lead us out through every gate that seems shut.
The psalmist sings that the angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear you and delivers them, so I take refuge in you and taste and see how good you are.
Saint Paul writes that he has competed well, finished the race, and kept the faith, and that the Lord stood by him and gave him strength and rescued him from the lion’s mouth.
Stand by me in the same way, give me your strength to finish the race set before me, and rescue me from every evil threat.
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 in the midst of trouble.
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 prayer lifted up today for someone held captive or afraid, 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.