Lord, thank you for the time you gave us this week as we gathered with friends and family to recall and give thanks for all you have provided in each of our lives throughout this past year. Perhaps there were times when we struggled to see the good in the trials and temptations that we faced daily. Our trials can certainly seem overwhelming at times, but in those times, we ask that you help us to recall that you are good-that you always love us, and your steadfast love endures forever! We can be sure of this because you demonstrated your love for us by sending your Son to die for us and to save us from our sins that, apart from you, lead to certain death and eternal punishment. Remind us of your most precious gift when we are in distress. Remind us we can always call on you, O Lord, no matter the trial and that you answer us and set us free from the temptation to worry over our earthly struggles, most of which are beyond our control-but never beyond yours. You are on our side; We need not fear because it is your perfect will that ordains all things, even if we don’t always fully understand your purpose when we are in the midst of it. Help us to take refuge in you Lord-And not trust in man. Your word tells us that cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, but blessed is the man who humbles himself and trusts in you-whose trust is you. You enable us to endure the heat and drought of our trials. You are our strength and our song-our sure salvation. We shall not die, but we shall live, and recount your deeds, O Lord. Open to us the gates of righteousness, that we may enter through them and give thanks to You at all times. We give thanks for who you are and all that you ordain, knowing that you will use all things conform us to the image of your Son. This is the day that you have made, O Lord, let us rejoice and be glad in it. You are our God, and we give thanks to you in the name of your precious Son who saves us from our sins - Amen