Everlasting Lord, we glorify your name this morning. Your steadfast love knows no end; your mercy has no bounds; your justice is perfect; your grace sufficient. You are all satisfying; in you we find joy, delight, and sheer goodness. We raise the banner of your greatness this morning God. Take our songs and our prayers as sweet incense before your throne.

Remind us this morning, Lord, of the love you have for us: “No love is higher, no love is wider, No love is deeper, no love is truer, No love is higher, no love is wider, No love is like Your love O Lord.” We pray for those who are weary this morning – encourage us with the immensity of your love shown to us in Christ Jesus. We pray for those struggling to find joy in you – Holy Spirit take the word and reveal the glory of God in the face of Jesus. We pray for those willfully and consistently rebelling against you – in your mercy Lord, show us the greater satisfaction found in you. We pray for those walking in faithfulness and joyful obedience – Holy Spirit spur us on all the more that we might taste and see and experience that you are good. We pray for those here this morning who are not trusting in Christ Jesus – in your grace, Lord, open the eyes of their soul that they might know the hope in Jesus.

Father, we come to you this morning, not just as pardoned criminals, we come as your cherished sons and daughters. We, by your grace, use the same cry of Jesus and call out, “Abba, Father.” And we know that you hear us, not because of our goodness, but because of the riches of your grace lavished upon us. Father, help us not only know what it means to be your sons and daughters in our heads, but to be gripped and defined by that reality in all that we think, feel and do. We confess that we are too often defined and driven by what others think of us, rather than resting in who we are before you. Forgive us, Lord. We confess our wayward rebellion when we go looking for comfort and joy in money or sexual immorality or substance abuse. Forgive us, Lord. We confess that we forget how much you love us and how patient you are with us, and because of that we refuse to forgive others, we hold onto bitterness, we condemn in our hearts, we gossip and slander. Forgive us, Lord.

Merciful God, in your soul-satisfying, hope-giving, sin-shattering grace, saturate our souls with all that we have in Christ. We turn to him this morning. We praise you that his life was not just calculated and sinless, but filled with joy and delight and complete satisfaction in every way. We praise you that the death and resurrection of Jesus purchases forgiveness, provides freedom, and ushers in life to the fullest for those trusting in him. Remind us that there is more grace in Jesus than sin in us. No matter what sin has been committed against us, no matter what sins we have committed, remind us there is more grace in Jesus.

Magnificent Lord, we praise you for all that you are doing here at Restoration Church. We praise you for the many ways you are using Restoration Kids to teach the young ones about Christ. We praise you for the 11 Community Groups that meet each week. Use these groups, not just a stale Bible studies, but as a place of gospel community, a place of encouragement, a space where sin is fought and joy is stoked with the flames of the gospel. We praise you for the T2 Forum. Holy Spirit, take what we learn and apply it to our hearts that we might adorn the doctrine of God our Savior.

We praise you for granting the visa to bring the Molero family to DC. Grant us wisdom and favor as we work on the logistics of housing and school. We praise you for the opportunity to play a small part in bringing the gospel to the Ks. Use us to encourage the workers on the ground. Use our resources to help get the Bible translated into B and to care for refugees in K. We praise you for the way so many of our members are eagerly sharing the gospel with friends and co-workers and classmates. Spur us on all the more in sharing the good news of Jesus with those who do not yet know him; and, Lord, in your sovereign goodness, bring forth fruit that we might see people come to faith in Jesus. We praise you that we get to work with other gospel churches – Redemption Hill, The District Church, Grace DC. Bless them Lord.

Sovereign Lord, at a time when the political climate of this country is deeply divided, we hope not in an man or woman winning an election, we hope in you, the King of kings, Lord of lords, who reigns in eternity. Help us steward our democratic freedom with a view toward Christ. Grant our current and future President and elected officials wisdom to govern in a way that helps all of humanity flourish. Give us a deep spirit of humility; give us grace to respect those with whom we disagree. Keep us from arrogance and personal attacks. Remind us that those who we disagree with are still created in your image. Lord, bring an end to the wickedness of racism and bigotry. We praise you that you are a God of justice, and we rest knowing that you will accomplish all that you purpose, and we know that your purposes are good and glorious.

Use our time this morning to make much of Christ Jesus, in whose name we pray. Amen.