Benediction
Music by Linda Louisa
Lord, If there is any theme You would have us develop, any dream envelop;
if there is any person You would have us visit, or cup of suffering You would have us drain; any truth You wish to make explicit, any terrain claim by Your Spirit, then stretch out Your hand to achieve these holy purposes.
Lord, I place this trusted friend in the care of healing love.
I pray that You will lead him every minute of his day,
and as I carry him in my heart,
alert me when he stands in special need of grace,
so that he may make the most of every chance
that You direct His way.
Bless, cherish and embolden him
to be all that You can make him be.
And Lord, I place my precious friend
in the care of Love eternal.
Place her like a seal over my heart,
for love is as strong as death,
burning like a blazing fire
that many waters cannot quench.
Thank You for all the love she brings,
and all the things we do together;
all the service she performs for You.
Help me carry her in my heart,
and lift her daily before the throne of grace.
Bless, cherish and replenish her
to be all that she can be for You.
Let the peace of Your music
and the truth of your word
address the emptiness in people’s lives
Enfold in love the weighed down crowds
who know so little of Your saving touch.
Reach out to the overlooked ones
and replace dejection with entirely fresh new direction
as we commit them to Your threefold care.
Release the fullness of Your power and presence
in the spheres and regions we hold most dear:
each one of these villages, towns and cities,
and the professions that need the touch of Your refreshing.
Bless, too, this place:
and let each room become the place
of Your embrace:
a firebase that inspires many
to draw near to Your courts.
Let Your special blessing
rest on each person who has heard these words and music.
Let them bear much fruit
as they receive afresh the Spirit of prayer
and come up higher to see what must soon take place
Now may God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through.
May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and He will do it.