This is the latest in the series of corporate prayers for Sunday worship that I’m writing from the Psalms, working through them in reverse order.

 

Heavenly Father,

We come before you as a church family—each of us with our own mix of experiences and emotions. 

Over the past few weeks and months, there have been times of happiness and also times of sadness. There have been experiences of enjoyment while some have borne burdens of suffering. 

Your Holy Word gives us hope and direction in each of these we encounter.

By your grace, we are raised with Christ. We have died to self and to this world governed by sin. Christ lives in us. 

And we desire to set our minds on things above, not on things on earth.  

Our citizenship is in heaven. 

We’re a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for your own possession. We are your people, who have received mercy. We belong to you. 

As sojourners and exiles in this world, we ask for your strength. Work in us that we would abstain from the passions of the flesh which war against our souls. 

Remind us not to become too comfortable in this world. 

It would be easy to become distracted by the many pleasures and distractions available to us. 

Our temptation is to chase after idols, and glory in shame, and set our minds on earthly things. 

Give us a passion to love righteousness and hate wickedness.

Guard our hearts and minds. You are the center of our attention and thoughts and devotion. 

Our loyalty is to you.

You are the true and living God. 

We can sing songs of worship to you, our Lord. 

Let our tongues stick to the roofs of our mouths if we do not remember your name and worship you. 

You are our hope. 

And we await our Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ. 

Amen.