YES to Refreshment

Isaiah 58:11

The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame.  You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.

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God, you're generous—full of mercy and full of compassion.
And we admit we've lost our way.
We've wandered off like sheep who forgot where home is.
We've chased after what our hearts wanted.
And in doing so, we've turned away from what you wanted.
We've ignored what we should have done.
And we've done what we knew we shouldn't.
There's brokenness in us, Lord…
more than we want to admit.

But you, O God, are rich in mercy.
You never turn away from those who turn back to you.

So forgive us!
Heal us.  Put us back together by the power of your grace in Jesus Christ.
Almighty God, we pray according to your word in Isaiah:
that even in what may feel like “scorched places,”
your promises will continually refresh us when our lives feel dry.

Amidst long hours, heavy burdens, spiritual exhaustion, heartaches, and heartbreaks,
you've promised that we will not wither,
that you will water us with your spirit
like fresh gardens in which we will flourish under your miraculous care.

And our lives will be lives of righteousness and love,
full of light, full of healing, and full of your glory. Perform your word in us!

Give us strength: not just seasonal strength, but your sustaining strength.
You make us us a spring that never runs dry.

We declare this to be your YES for our lives—
not to be burned out, but to be renewed now this moment. 

Lord, refresh us today in every place.
Strengthen our bodies. Renew our minds.
Water our spirits in your presence.
And from now onward, help us to walk straight,  live right, love deeply,
so that everything we do brings honor and glory to your name.

In Christ we pray,
Amen.