A New Day...

Beloved God,

I stand again at the threshold of a new day, humbled by all that lies before me.  May this day be a holy day in your honor. 

May your advent bring the hopes and fears of all the years, and may they be met in you this day.

May this day honor the day of your birth that shout Alleluia and Glory, for you have come to save your people.

May this day remind us of those who search diligently for you; even coming from far away lands.

May we be reminded as we enter into your presence yet again, that we are not worthy to be in your presence.  May we be mindful of the brokenness of our spirits, our sinfulness of soul, and our need for repentance.

May we be reminded of all that you endured for our sake; from the moment you entered the Holy City, to the time you were marched out in shame to a hill outside of town.  May we be reminded again this day of the ways in which your brokenness on the cross so closely resembles our brokenness of spirit. 

May we approach the tomb with those women, angst-ridden, and sorrowful for the loss, yet surprised by the discovery that death does not have the final say, as we see your face, and hear your voice calling us by name.

May we find ourselves in the midst of our daily lives, talking with one another about You and your grace, only to find that you have joined us on the dusty path, and most especially in the breaking of the bread.

May we find ourselves being called again into ministry by the seashores of our lives, and charged with feeding your sheep.

May we find ourselves surrounded by so many others, who speak foreign languages, yet somehow swept up in the power of your Spirit as it enables us to share across every boundary known the great grace of your Son's glorious resurrection.

May we begin to see our purposes, Lord, in telling and re-telling the story to everyone we meet in every city and town we enter.

May we find this day, O Lord, to be a Holy Day for You.  May it be filled with your Spirit, and your wonder; may it be filled with your grace and your power.  May it be a day that begins and ends with You.

O Lord, this is my prayer for this day.  For this is the day that YOU have made.  I will rejoice and be glad in it!  Amen.

Grace and peace,
Brad