“A Family Prayer at Home”

God of mercy and steadiness, You are near to us even now. In a quiet living room, in a busy kitchen, with kids moving around and phones lighting up and the world outside doing what it does, You are still God. You are still good. You are still with us.
So we pause. We breathe.  We remember: we belong to You.

Opening Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, be present with us today.
Be present in this home.
Be present in our hearts and in our bodies.
Be present in our fears, our tiredness, our distraction, and our need.
Give us peace that isn’t fragile.
Give us joy that isn’t dependent on everything going right.
Give us faith for today.
Amen.

Psalm 46:1–2
God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear…
Thanks be to God.

Confession
Merciful God, we confess that we are quick to worry and slow to trust.
We confess that we try to control what we cannot.
We confess that we carry stress like it is our master.
We confess our impatience, our sharp words, our coldness, and our rushing.
Forgive us, Lord.
Wash us clean.
Restore what’s been worn down in us.
Bring us back to love.
Amen.

Assurance
God does not despise a humble heart.
Jesus does not turn away the weary.
His mercy is real.
His forgiveness is for us.
And His grace is new today.
Thanks be to God.

A Reading from the Gospel
Matthew 11:28–29 - “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me… and you will find rest for your souls.”

Prayer for Our Church and Our City

Father, we pray today for our church family, scattered across homes and living rooms and kitchens.
Be especially close to the lonely, the sick, the grieving, the anxious, and the exhausted.
We pray for those who are working in the middle of this weather, serving others while the rest of us stay safe.
Protect them. Strengthen them. Bring them home.

We pray for our neighbors.

Make us the kind of people who notice needs and move toward them with compassion.
Teach us to be generous, patient, and present.
And in this home, Lord, let there be peace.
Let our words carry kindness.
Let our hearts soften.
Let forgiveness come quickly.
Let love be stronger than stress.
Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy Name.
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.

Blessing
May the peace of God, which passes all understanding, guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
And may the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with you always.
Amen.