Prayer to Accompany Sermon August 2, 2009 "SIGNED, SEALED, DELIVERED"

Glorious and Ever Loving God, today we give thanks for friends and for friendships that have left an indelible mark upon our hearts, often standing the test of time and distance. We are grateful for the wise counsel of friends who endeavor to hold us close through thick and thin, through life’s ups and downs, through gain and loss. When they are gone from our site, having taken that journey of forever, we can’t help feeling as if the rug has been pulled out from under us, or we have been brought up short. We suddenly find ourselves pondering what life beyond this life is like. They have run the life race in which no one wants to be the first to cross the finish line, yet, we believe, gracious God, that when they cross that finish line they have won . In our imaginings we wonder what that eternal winner’s circle looks like. “Guide we O thou great Jehovah, pilgrims through this barren land. We are weak, but thou art mighty; hold us with thy powerful hand. Bread of heaven, bread of heaven feed us till we want no more; feed us till we want no more.” In the name of the Christ we pray. Amen.