Central Abbotsford

A Prayer for the People of Central Abbotsford, on this weekend of Pentecost:

 

Lord, we love You; 

fill us with the desire to love You more.

 

We confess that there are times in this fallen world where

we forget that You did not leave us as orphans;

we forget that though You have gone away, You will come to us;

we forget that You promised us a Helper –

to teach us all things;

to remind us all that You have said;

to dwell with us and in us.

 

As we live in this in-between:

in between Your going away and Your coming to us,

We are reminded that You never have truly left us.

 

On that day

when Your church was gathered in one place,

when a mighty wind gathered,

when tongues of fire descended,

when Your disciples spoke of Your mighty works 

for all to hear, to understand,

on that day

You sealed and guaranteed Your people

by Your Holy Spirit.

 

And though there are days, weeks, and even months

where we feel alone;

where we feel shaken;

where we feel powerless.

 

We rejoice that Your Spirit testifies

to Your presence in us;

to Your truth amidst the chaos;

to Your power at work in Your church.

 

And so, 

with this knowledge,

with this guarantee,

with this Spirit that dwells within our fragile clay jars;

We live.

We live 

knowing that

You have called Your people to be witnesses:

to Jerusalem;

to Judea and Samaria;

and to the ends of the earth – those ends including this city that we call Abbotsford.

 

May we, therefore, the people of Northview Central Abbotsford

be led by this Spirit;

to the knowledge of the Son;

for the glory of our Father.

 

Lord, we love You;

Thank You, that You have sent Your Spirit so that we may love You more.

 

Amen.