Prayers of the Church, 2.4.18

We give all glory and honor to you O gracious Lord. Even on a cloudy day we know of your majesty that shines on this world.  Regardless of the weather, regardless of human desires, YOU rule over this earth, your creation.  You are in control.  Help us not forget that.

When we think about your awesomeness, when we think of your glory, especially in the context of an often messed up world, it can make us wonder what your glory really is.

Is it your holiness oh God that is your glory?  Is it your perfection?  Is it, as some say “the greatness of your manifold perfections.”  Is the “the beauty of your spirit?” 

It certainly doesn’t seem to mean glory in human terms -- riches or power or material beauty.  Instead, your beauty is shown in sacrifice and love.  Your glory shows through Jesus Christ.  Your glory is the cross.

Glory be to you Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.   What is sometimes called the beauty of your glory is not beautiful in worldly standards, but beautiful in perfect love…love that is selfless.  Most of us probably don’t really understand what that kind of love is, and if we do, we have trouble exhibiting that same love.  We can see that kind of love in Jesus who did not want the cross, but loves you and us so much (perfectly…selflessly) that he sacrificed for your creation, for your children. 

Help us understand what it means for the cross to be your glory. 

In the silence, hear our adoration of your glory. 

Help us live lives that glorify you, Father, and reflect the beauty of the cross…the hard, painful, selfless sacrifice of the cross.

The Christian life, modeled after Jesus, is about love and sacrifice.  You call on us to live lives of love and sacrifice.

Help us see beauty, not just as we behold it, but as it really is…in your love, in the love and lives of our brothers and sisters, in the sacrifices that we make when we follow you.  Help us embody this kind of love and share it with all those around us…even our enemies…especially our enemies.

Help us embody your love as we work to serve others.  We ask that you bless the Appalachia service project as they serve others in your name and bless the JC Serve team as they help us find meaningful ways to exhibit some of your glory in our community.

And now, O God together we pray the perfect prayer Jesus taught us:  Our Father….