Your decrees are most wise, free, and holy. From all eternity You have ordained whatsoever comes to pass. You have been passed off to our culture as One who is at our beckon to sanction our sins and to approve of us even as we rebel against You. Forgive the messengers who have brought down to our level the God who is beyond our comprehension.

Lord, we tend to worry so much. We listen to the problems that face the world in which we live. We see war across the shores. We send our young men to die. Poverty and starvation plague the nations. We attempt to solve problems but only multiply them.

At home we see the decline of a civilization. We are called to trust in men and their ability to control our future. There is so much corruption in high places and in low places too. Sin knows no boundaries of class or status.

Lord, we have tried to change the direction of decline and have not seen much visible fruit. Yet, Lord, You are sovereign. We can't change the direction of the world. There are so many forces beyond our control. Some things are out of control. All we can do is our duty, day by day. We can't stop the crime. We can't end war. We can't stop the earthquake and the hurricane. We are not going to accomplish anything big that changes the course of history. We feel like bystanders in a world we can't stop.

Yet, we can wait and watch and as the surprises come and as the light becomes dim, we can know that all things work together for good for those who love God and who have been called according to His purpose. We can take care of our little world and know that You do not expect any more from us. We can visit the widows, care for the orphan, encourage the downtrodden. We can impact our family, our space at work, and our Church.

We can be assured that whatever You have planned for us is in accordance with Your love and righteousness. Nothing will destroy our faith. Even though the mountains fall into the sea and the sky turns dark, we shall trust in Thee.

Lord, in our own personal lives, sometimes we are confused. Sometime we are baffled. Indeed we walk through the valley of confusion. Things happen that we would never have dreamed. Sadness can be our lot in life. Pain can be our thorn in the flesh.

Lord, help us to remember that there is more than this life. We are being prepared for an inheritance that is incorruptible, undefiled, that will never fade away, reserved in heaven for us

How soon we learn that in this world dreams can disappear. Hope can become disappointment. The foundation can slowly crack and crumble. The sunshine of happiness can quickly become the darkness of gloom.

We are full of mixed emotions. We rejoice and we grieve at the same time. We can laugh and we can cry at the same time. We are full of pity and we yearn for justice at the same time. We are hopeful and we are afraid. We rejoice in what we have done for the Lord, yet we feel like failures because we have not done enough. We give when we don't always have time to give. Sometimes we have time to give and we don't give.

Lord, we are a mess. Lord, we have failed. We are not strong. Strengthen us by Your power. Fill the empty vessel. Build a fortress around us and protect us from our enemies. Heal the wounded and broken hearted. Put back together those who have been shattered into pieces. Reestablish our feet on solid ground.