Psalm 28:6-7
Blessed be the Lord, because he has heard the sound of my plea for mercy. The Lord is my strength and my shield. In him my heart trusts, and I am helped. My heart also celebrates. With my song I will give thanks to him.
Dear Lord our Triune God,
Thank you for every day you have given us, daily establishing new opportunities to praise you as our Lord and Savior. We get to pray to you because Jesus, the Son of God, has removed our sin, and we have been made right with you, our Lord. Through faith given by the Holy Spirit, we receive the gift of forgiveness. Jesus and the Spirit are our intercessors, carrying our prayers to the Father—our creator and sustainer. We need to bless you because of what you have done for us. Lord, as the Son of God, you came to us, giving up your home in heaven to be like us and gave your life as a ransom for all our sins. When we fall into the temptation of sin, we cry to you, our Lord, for mercy, and you hear us. Through faith, we hold on to the forgiveness you won for us on the cross. As David wrote, you are our strength and shield, keeping the Devil, the world, and our own flesh at bay, moreover forgiving us when we do fall to temptation. Thank you for the opportunity you will give us to come to your house and hear the words of forgiveness pronounced over us. Let this joy of forgiveness erupt in songs of joy and praise for all that you have done for us. Without you, we would face an eternity in hell, and being freed from that, we should shout for joy from the mountains. Thanks be to you, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit for the great things you have done. Amen.
Roger Emmons
Pastor
Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church
How can we do anything but rejoice and want to share God’s love with others when we realize what God has done to restore us? To God be the glory through faith, salvation is ours.