Please find below the notes from the Elder's Prayer this past Sunday.

In you, O Lord, we take refuge. In your righteousness, you deliver your people.

You listen to our prayers, you listen when we call out for help. You are the rock and strong refuge that saves us.

When enemies set a trap for us, you lead and guide us. We can commit our spirits to you because you have redeemed us and you are faithful to keep and lead us.

When we are afflicted with disease, we can rejoice and be glad in your love because you know the distress of our souls and you will never leave us. Even if we waste away, your love for us remains strong.

When we feel we’ve been forgotten by those around us, we can still trust in you and say ‘You are my God’ and we know that you are always with us.

When our lives are full of sorrow and grief because of our sin, you are gracious to us. You have covered our sins, you provided joy in our sorrow through the death of Christ on the cross.

Help us to recognize our sin – the sin that hardens our hearts, the sin that separates us from each other, the sin that separates us from you. Help us to see our sin for what it is and help us to overcome it, to kill it, in our lives. Help us to fill our lives with righteousness and holiness.

All of our lives are in your hands – the good and the bad, the abundance and the poverty. Through all that we go through in our lives, you provide peace and joy.

Love the Lord, all you his saints. Be strong, and let your hearts take courage, all you who wait for the Lord!

Amen.