Following is the prayer based on Isaiah 8 used at the end of today’s service. Jim led the congregation in this responsive prayer saying the words in regular print, and the words in italics were said aloud by the congregation. The prayer incorporates the three encouragements from the LORD to us from the Isaiah 8. Due to time, it had to be shortened this morning but we wanted to post the entire prayer.
Heavenly Father, we come to you as your people, your children, your beloved. Thank you that although just the very edge of your robe fills the entire temple we can boldly come to the heavenly throne room.
Most merciful God, we come asking for your forgiveness for the ways we have sinned against you, and you alone, in our words, our thoughts and our deeds. Today, we acknowledge that our fear of this world causes us to have divided hearts. We confess that in our fear of our circumstances we often turn first to human solutions of power, money, manipulation and slander. Forgive us. Please give us undivided hearts that we may fear your name.
We ask for forgiveness for the ways in which we have sinned by not fearing you alone. In the quietness of this morning, search us, O God, and know our hearts; test us and know our anxious thoughts; see if there is any offensive way in us.
Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty, the whole earth is full of His glory.
Amen.