Oh God, our Heavenly Father, Thank you for all your many blessings.
In today’s Gospel they brought to your Son a paralytic lying on a stretcher, and when he saw their faith he said, “Courage, child, your sins are forgiven.”
Then to show his authority he said, “Rise, pick up your stretcher, and go home,” and the man rose and went home.
Speak that same word of courage over my life today, dear Father, and lift me up from whatever has left me lying still.
Forgive my sins as you forgave his, and then say to me, “Rise,” so that I may walk in the freedom you have won for me.
Let the faith of those who love me, and my own faith, be enough to bring me close to your healing hand.
In your first word today, through the prophet Amos, you remind me that you call ordinary servants from following the flock and give them a purpose and a voice.
I was no prophet and no great man, yet you have taken me by the hand and set me on your path, so help me to answer your call with a willing heart.
The psalmist sings that the law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul, and that your decrees give wisdom to the simple, sweeter than honey from the comb.
Refresh my soul this morning, make me simple and teachable before you, and let your words be more precious to me than the purest gold.
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 act of mercy shown to someone in need 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.