St. Nicolai Notes

Prayer for March 27-April 2, 2022
Sermon Text: Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32

That we may celebrate and live in gratitude with all your deeply loved children

God of all, we rejoice that You wait for us, even seek actively for us, when we have forgotten You, wandered from You, or otherwise lost ourselves in pursuits that we deem more compelling or more reliable than your continuous presence and wise guidance.

God, You know the ways that we have devalued and diminished our own lives. You know the times when we have settled for slop instead of receiving the abundant nourishment that You offer by your Spirit. We cram ourselves full of empty calories and useless information. We attach ourselves to vain causes for our own self-inflation. We attempt to separate ourselves from You in order to create independent lives from the resources we expect You to provide, but for which we are unwilling to make any durable commitments.

You have waited patiently for us. You have watched for us to appear in the distance. You have welcomed us back and celebrated our return.

Don’t let us be belligerent and self-righteous when You welcome lost wanderers. Help us to recognize that You have provided everything for us. Help us to celebrate and live in gratitude with all your deeply loved children. Amen.