VERSION A
Leader: “Then [Jesus] said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe… Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
ALL: Though we have not seen him, we love him. Though we do not now see him, we believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of our faith, the salvation of our souls.
(John 20:27, 29b; 1 Peter 1:8–9, adapted ESV)
VERSION B
ALL: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
Leader: In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
ALL: Though we have not seen him, we love him. Though we do not now see him, we believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of our faith, the salvation of our souls.
(Based on 1 Peter 1:3-9 ESV)
Prayer of Confession
Lord, we bless You for giving to us the eye of faith, to see You as Father, to trust in Your Son, to be led by Your Holy Spirit, to know You as a covenant God, and to experience Your love planted in us.
Your grace has brought us to believe, but we confess that often our faith is weak and wavering – its light dim, its steps tottering, its increase slow, its backslidings frequent. Our faith should scale the heavens but often lies groveling in the dust – doubting your faithfulness, forgetting your covenant promises, retreating into skepticism.
When our faith wanes our hearts wonder and we make idols of every sort. Help us repent of this folly and return to Christ – the true Word and exceeding treasure.
Awaken our sleepy faith, strengthen our faltering hearts. Fan this spark of faith into a glowing flame that our lives would be filled with joy unspeakable and full of glory. Amen.