Psalm 81
September 27, 2026 Our Father in Heaven, our joy and strength and triumph are all in You. You are the One who delivered us, Your people, out of the bondage of sin. You are the One who gave us Your law—and the power to keep it. You are the Provider of all the good things we enjoy.
We are so grateful for all of these gifts. Thank You for the regular reminders of Your deliverance, like the communion we celebrate each week, picturing Your salvation. Thank You for Your Word which is a trustworthy guide and a deep comfort in all of life’s complexities. Thank You for the abundance of food and other simple delights that You give us each and every day. May we not take these things for granted but regularly come to you in gratitude.
Yet, Lord, as we read about the stubbornness and faithlessness of Your people long ago, we know that we are not so different. When You call us to follow You into places of lack, to count the cost, we are prone to grumble. When You give us good gifts, we are tempted to give them too high a place in our hearts. When You instruct us in Your Word, we are quick to justify ourselves and ignore Your commands. We confess our propensity to be slow to listen, quick to speak, and quick to get angry. In Your mercy, forgive us, Lord, just as You promised, and help us to follow You more faithfully.
This morning we pray for churches around our state and around the world who are worshipping You this morning. We pray that You would protect and grow Your people. Make us more like You. Give us courage to shine Your light in dark places and to follow You whatever the cost. We pray that many who do not know Your hope and deliverance would be drawn to You. We pray that those who experience persecution and oppression would know Your protection and Your peace and would see Your church continue to grow, just as You promised that the gates of Hell would not prevail against it.
We ask all of this in the name of Your Son Jesus, through the power of Your Spirit, and all God’s people said, Amen.