Leader: Father, we praise you for the gift of knowing and loving you.
All: Give us the grace now to overcome our doubts and distractions and engage authentically with you.
(silent prayer)
Leader: While we were made to devote our lives to you and find our greatest happiness in you, we confess that our hearts often wander away from you.
All: Forgive us for trying to find our satisfaction apart from you in places like our career, various causes, material possessions and recreation.
(silent prayer)
Leader: Though a true friend loves at all times, we confess we have not been there for others as we should.
All: Help us to lean against isolation and pursue others as a faithful and reliable friend who sticks closer than a brother or sister.
(silent prayer)
Leader: We pray for all those in our city who suffer from injustice, poverty, and oppression.
All: Help us at City Church to befriend the friendless and serve those at risk, that through us you might bring beauty into their brokenness.
(silent prayer)
Leader: Help us to see our work as a calling you have given us to love and serve you.
All: Use our work, O Lord, to build culture and care for others through us.
(silent prayer)
Leader: Have compassion on our friends who suffer from illness, grief, or trouble.
All: Deliver them from their distress and give them your peace.
(silent prayer)
Leader: We pray for our friends who are distant from you, especially those who struggle with shame.
All: Open all of our hearts that we might discover the joy of knowing you, our loving Savior and Friend of sinners.
(silent prayer)