Lord, when we are empty and dry, we need Thy grace. When we are down and discouraged, we need Thy grace. When our faith wavers and we think of You as uncaring, we need Thy grace. When our bodies fail us and our spirits are broken, we need Thy grace. A man can bear his own sickness, but a broken spirit who can bear? Lord, uphold us in the day of joy, lest we become proud and confident in the flesh, and uphold us in the day of sorrow, lest we become disillusioned and faithless. Give us the faith of Job who said, "Even though the Lord slay me, yet will I trust in Him."

Lord, help us to praise Thy Name and to glory in Your character. There is none holy on earth as You. There is none without sin on earth. Only You are holy and perfect. You are perfect in all Your ways. Your character is perfect. You are without flaw. You are perfect in integrity. You are perfect in your plans. You are perfect in Your compassion and mercy. You are perfect in Your justice. You are perfect in all things.

Lord, Your Son Jesus Christ is perfect. His love for sinners was perfect. His life on earth was perfect. His death on the cross was the perfect sacrifice for our sins. He is perfect in justice goodness and truth.

Lord, we confess that the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Christ. He is separate yet one with the Son and the Father. He is perfect in all that He does. He is perfect as He regenerates the elect. He is perfect as He sanctifies Your people. He perfectly carries out the will of the Father and the Son.

Thus we come to worship God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. We worship one God in three persons. We worship as the saints of old. We worship a God who is beyond our understanding, but not beyond our knowledge. We worship One who is greater than we. Otherwise, You would not be God. Otherwise, we would only worship one like unto us.

Lord, the world is complicated to us. Some problems seem beyond solution. Some sickness seems beyond healing. Some troubled spirits seem beyond comforting. Yet, Lord, we shall hope even when there is no hope. We shall hope against hope. So did the saints of old and they were rewarded. The dead womb gave birth to a child. The blind man regained his sight. The lame man walked. The insane man sat sober in his right mind at the feet of Jesus. Lord, we know that while You were on earth, miracles were common day by day. The world could not contain the books if we knew them all. Today, You are not present in the body and we don't see the miracles like the people who lived and walked with You. We cannot feel and touch You like Thomas. Yet, Lord, if Thomas believed when he saw, how much more blessed are those who do not see and yet believe.

Lord, heal the sick. Raise up the downhearted. Put joy in the hearts of those who lives are wracked with pain. Give contentment to those who have been called to endure a more difficult cross. Let every believer know that he is being prepared for Heaven. Let every believer know that he is being prepared as a comforter and as a counselor. For with the temptation we have been tempted, we have learned much. Now, we can comfort one another. Now, we can listen and not just talk. Now we can give a man a few minutes and not just a few seconds. Now we can rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep. Lord, You work in mysterious ways. Help us to live by faith. Help us live by a faith that accepts what You say merely on the authority of the one Who speaks. When we are tested, help us to pass the test. Help us by Thy grace to remain faithful.

Lord, bless our children as they grow up in this Church. May the preaching week by week capture their hearts. May the oversight of the Elders and the service of the Deacons be an example of the love of Christ. May the prayers of the older women and the example of the young women work unto the salvation of our children. May memories here be engrained for life. May the love of the Church be a testimony to our children for the rest of their lives, so much that they can never turn from the God who has blessed them so much.