Morning Prayer

Come, let your voice be one with theirs
shout with the shout of praise
See how the giant sun soars up
God's gift for all your days!
So let the love of Jesus come
and set your soul ablaze.

The LORD is King;
let the earth rejoice;
let the multitude of the isles be glad.
Clouds and darkness are round about him,
righteousness and justice are the foundations of his throne.
A fire goes before him
and burns up his enemies on every side.
His lightnings light up the world;
the earth sees it and is afraid.
The mountains melt like wax at the presence of the LORD,
at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.
The heavens declare his righteousness,
and all the peoples see his glory.

God, you are indeed King -- ruler of the Universe. Thank you for you goodness and the goodness of your creation. There is a beauty in the world that is especially apparent after storms. The world may be broken and wet with the waters that destroyed our homes and peace of mind, but the sun is in the sky, there are clothes on our backs and the birds are on wing. Your favor does indeed last a lifetime. We may grieve and the storms will break at night -- but there will always be joy in the morning. The darkness of the night seems so overwhelming, but the light will break through the clouds.

Thank you for new babies, for letters from friends, for safe travels, for good news that friends are safe and dry and can praise you even from homes that are soggy and broken. Thank you for the faithfullness of your people who will encourage and build up the body of Christ, even when they themselves need comforting.

Lord, there are those who mourn today. Shelter them and protect them from the storms of life. Hold them in the palm of your hand. Ease their pain. There are those who are alone, there are those who are anxious, there are those who are dying. God, you are giver of life and health: Comfort and relieve the sick, and give your power of healing to those who minister to their needs, that they may be strengthened in their weakness and have confidence in your loving care; through Jesus Christ our Lord we pray all these things. Amen.