Our gracious God and Father,
We confess this morning that our only hope is You.
We were once alienated from You.
We were cut off from Christ.
We were strangers to the covenant.
We were dead in our sins.
We were hopeless because we were Godless.
We were all alone in the world.
And yet, because of Your great love for us, even when we were far off,
You brought us near by the blood of Your only Son.
You have given us hope in the gospel.
Instead of wrath, there is hope laid up for us in heaven.
So we ask You, the God of hope, to fill us with all joy and peace in believing,
So that by the power of the Holy Spirit we might abound in hope this morning.
By Your Spirit, grant to us life and faith and repentance and wisdom
That we might treasure Jesus Christ above all things.
Save sinners and strengthen Your church.
We pray all these things in the name of the One who is Lord of the Church,
Christ Jesus. Amen.
