Mathieu Gnonhossou
Righteous God, Loving Father, and our merciful Lord, thank you for the grace you give us to come into your presence. We know that you desire fellowship with us as a gathered community and so we have come again today. We know in your presence we find ourselves in need of transforming grace. For we know that those who are invited to worship in your sanctuary are those who “Those who lead blameless lives and do what is right, speaking the truth from sincere hearts. Those who refuse to gossip or harm their neighbors or speak evil of their friends.” Lord in the face of these, have mercy on us. Grant us forgiveness of our trespasses. Make us guard against and overcome all snares, temptations, and harmful deeds. May we be endowed with power and might to shun effectively in word and deed, whatever you forbid, and do and keep your loving commands. Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayers.
hen we survey the wondrous Cross and look at our lives as community and even in our families and friendships we come to the realization we are yet to become the cruciform people you meant to birth through the Cross. So, God our Healer, come down and Heal us through the inbreaking of the power of your justice that restores and reconciles. We believe that you “anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. Then he went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil.” How we long to see you at work through us in the same way not only here among us but in the world, in the specific places where you are needed in this way, for we feel the powers of darkness are vehemently striving to distract us and hinder us from being your people and doing your work. Lord in your mercy, Hear our prayers.
We pray that the preaching of your Word this day impresses upon the loving duty to continue to participate in your ministry of redeeming your creation. Give us to hear the groaning of the creation and our own groaning in order that we may respond accordingly. Oh our God and Father, enable us to walk, study, teach, counsel… in your constant presence so that all our lives may serve to fulfill your will and purposes. Lord in your mercy, Hear our prayers.
Fill us with us with your healing love. Pour out your Spirit abundantly upon us. Make us be drunk with Him and make our hearts your constant home. Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayers.
To you oh God our Father, with Jesus our Lord and the Holy Spirit our Counselor be glory, power and magnificence now and world without end. Amen.
Mathieu Gnonhossou. Doctor of Ministry Student. Benin, West Africa.
Chapel Prayer, 03/09/2007