Sovereign Lord
honour and glory and praise and thanksgiving we bring to your throne this day
we are on the cusp of something new
as Simeon and Anna were
they saw your salvation, your redemption
in Christ Jesus
looked him in the eye, held him
and knew, just knew the covenant made was fulfilled
For all the promises you keep
sustaining the earth with rain and sun
filling the earth with resources to use for the benefit of all the world
coming to us, God incarnate, to live with us
clothing us in your salvation
we praise and thank you
these are so much to us, it is hard to express in our frail human words
but our hearts lift up our praise in ways words never can
[pause]
Word of God
Christ Jesus
the light for all the peoples of the world
send your light into the dark places of the world this day
the places where violence is near, so very near
the places where words have been used to strip self-esteem and self-worth
the places where diagnoses bring little hope
the places where the earth burns
the places where power is used to hurt and maim
the places where suffering is out of sight and out of mind
the places we could never imagine or comprehend the evil acts people can and do commit against their fellow human beings
[pause]
Christ Jesus
in your great mercy and love
send the spirit to these places and situations
be with those who help and support
those who sacrifice much to help others and the earth
those who need your light the most
and to us
that we would constantly pray for your goodness and mercy to roll as cool, refreshing water across patched land
knowing you know all these situations and more
and, with the Father and Holy Spirit
are bringing about the great and good plan for all the earth
redemption for all the nations
salvation for all the earth
we thank you for this promise, which our eyes have seen through Christ, our Lord
Amen