Father God, Creator of the Universe, King of all Kings, 

        We bow before you, thanking you for the gift of your Son Jesus who saves us and offers eternal life to anyone who chooses to accept the gift. Thank you for creating the world through Jesus, the Word who spoke the seas and skies into existence. Thank you for giving us your written Word, the living document that showcases and proves not only your majesty and power, but your love for each of us. 

We are amazed at the treasures hidden in the pages of your love letter to us.

• If we diligently search out your gems, we find comfort when we’re feeling desperate, promises that assure us of hope and a future.

• Opening ourselves to your Word allows your Spirit to flow through us and heal us, to give us peace in the midst of affliction.

• When we’re confused, the wisdom in your Word seems to address the very thing we couldn’t quite sort out. Your Word can clarify the problem and show us where to step.

• Your Word reveals our deepest flaws and urges us to changes, shows us how to turn all our failings over to you.

• Your Word assures us of forgiveness.

Thank you, Lord. We love you. We’re so thankful for your mercy; so thankful for your Word. Call us to seek you, pursue you fervently just as you pursue us fervently. We want to know you more and more. Please place your Word in our minds, write it on our hearts and reveal yourself to us. Amen

Supporting verses: (all italics mine) 

“And God said, “Let there be light . . .” Gen. 1:3

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made.” John 1:1-3

“But in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.” Hebrews 1:2
 

“The word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” Hebrews 4:12,13

“In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and trust shall be your strength. . . . And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it,’ when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left.” Isaiah 30:15

“I will put my laws into their minds, and write them on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. . . .for they shall know me, from the least of them to the greatest. For I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more.” Hebrews 8:10 -12

O God of the Ineffable Name, the Great I AM, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

           You are a God who hides himself -- for our protection since human flesh is not capable of looking on your face and surviving. But because you want us to know you, you continuously reveal yourself in Creation. The changing colors of the clouds, the thunder of waterfalls and the multitude of stars have shouted your name since the beginning of time.

We hear you in the whisper of  breeze in the trees. Sense your presence in the sweet incense of cherry blossoms. We long for you even if we don’t know what we’re longing for. Even when we simply feel the emptiness of separation because we’re focusing on wrong desires and striving to meet our own needs instead of asking you to meet our needs.

Come fill us with the flow of you love, Holy Spirit. Help us know you are always available and waiting for us to call out to you. Show us how to quiet our hearts and trust you to handle things we can’t handle. Pry our fingers loose from control of our own lives and those around us. Teach us to empty ourselves of self-effort and open ourselves to you so you can heal us in mysterious ways we don’t understand. Give us your peace that passes beyond understanding. Remind us that when we don’t have words to express our deep ache, your Spirit prays for us with groanings too deep for words – and you hear. And answer.

We praise your holy name and thank you for your faithful love! Amen.

Supporting verses taken from the ESV Bible:

“Truly, you are a God who hides himself.” Isaiah 45:15

“The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.” Psalm 19:1

“But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child is my soul within.” Psalm 131:2

“Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.” Romans 8:26, 27

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