Morning Prayer

Seek the Lord while he wills to be found;
call upon him when he draws near.

Let the wicked forsake their ways
and the evil ones their thoughts;

And let them turn to the Lord,
and he will have compassion,
and to our God, for he will richly pardon.

For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
nor your ways my ways, says the Lord.

For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways,
and my thoughts than your thoughts.

For as rain and snow fall from the heavens
and return not again, but water the earth,

Bringing forth life and giving growth,
seed for sowing and bread for eating,

God, you have made of one blood all the people of the earth. You have sent your Son to preach peace to those who are far off and to those who are near. Lord, I pray today that people everywhere may seek after you and find you; bring the nations into your fold; pour out your Spirit upon all flesh. There is much suffering in our world today. Pour you Spirit on rescue workers, on government officials, on the weary and those who long for respite. Keep them, hear their cries for help.

Lord, we remember before you today all the poor and neglected people, the homeless and the destitute, the old and the sick, and all who have none to care for them. Help us be your hands here on earth, help us to minister to them as you have ministered to us. Help us to heal those who are broken in body or spirit, and to turn their sorrow into joy.

Bless our actions-- they seem so small in the face of such large destruction and desolation. Help us to perserve in the face of difficulties. These thing I pray in the name of your Son. Amen.