Sin has fractured and fragmented the world both in and around us, and we are in need of a Savior.

Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight; so you are right in your verdict and justified when you judge. Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. (Psalm 51:1-4, 10-12 NIV)

Prayer of Confession: 

God of grace, we approach you boldly, knowing we are heirs of your goodness and mercy. Commit our hearts to honesty and vulnerability today, for we don’t have to hide or be ashamed of sin. You lovingly meet us in reality, and you draw us in.

The inevitability of human frailty does not diminish the power of your justice and love. Sustain us, God. Restore to us the joy of your salvation, day after day. For we know your power is made perfect in our weakness. Amen.

God did not condemn us or leave us in our brokenness. Instead, He entered it to with us, took it upon Himself, and brought us restoration.

Once we, too, were foolish and disobedient. We were misled and became slaves to many lusts and pleasures. Our lives were full of evil and envy, and we hated each other. But—When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior. Because of his grace he made us right in his sight and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life.
(Titus 3:3-7 NLT)

Prayer of Communion: 

God of your promise, you speak life into things that we once thought were long dead. You bring righteousness and rightness to situations that we once thought were beyond your care. You prove to us, over and over again, that nothing can stand against your love. When we look upon your cross, we see a God who overturns even the cruelest systems of sin and death. Awaken us to your kingdom, here and now, as we accept the radical love available to us at your table of mercy. Amen.

As risen King, Jesus has empowered us to be the hands, feet, and voice of the same Restoration we receive – and are still receiving – in Him.

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
(1 Peter 2:9-10 NIV)

Prayers of Intercession: 

As empowered men and women called into the ministry of the kingdom, we join God in His restoring work in the world. As we close today, we do so offering prayers of intercession for our friends, family, neighborhoods, co-workers, and fellow students. In prayer, may we stand in the gap on behalf of our city!