Gracious God,

From Isaiah we hear you say, “Do not fear. I have called you by name. You are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you. And when you walk through fire, you will not be burned, and the flames shall not consume you.”

We hear you say that the rivers and fires of life will come our way, not a question of if but rather when they come. And in these mighty waters and fires, we will be shaped and tempered. We will be sharpened and refined. Perhaps, in these waters and fires, we will be damaged and even risk our very life, but nothing, not suffering, not even death, nothing can separate us from you, God, from your love and wisdom.

From your watchful gaze, we are fully seen and known. From your enduring presence, we are never left behind. We will fall short of honoring your intention for our lives, and yet somehow your hope for us remains as boundless as the sea, and in your hand we are forever held fast.

May all gathered here know the peace of your blessing. Call us by name. Claim us as your own.

Blessed be, Amen.