I will break in pieces

  the doors of bronze

and cut through

            the bars of iron

...that you may know

            that it is I, the LORD,

the God of Israel,

who call you

               by your name.

               Isaiah 45. 2-3

(Why is this situation so difficult?

That we would know

     beyond a shadow of a doubt

that He is God.

God is doing something incredible

        in us and through us,

His power within,

                for His glory in this.

Even in what we cannot understand,

even with what we struggle,

far beyond our imagination

or what we can see,

             You are here,

             and You are sovereign.)

O LORD,

You are doing a great and mighty work,

     something new in this place

                     and in my heart,

always Your deepest purposes

  that we most often cannot grasp.

Please help us to be faithful

         in the ordinary

         and in the extraordinary,

              even in the outrageous,

to bring Your name here

and grace, love and hope

                  for Your glory.

Use us today, O LORD,

         right where we are.