“O my people, listen to my instructions.

    Open your ears to what I am saying,

for I will speak to you in a parable.

I will teach you hidden lessons from our past—

    stories we have heard and known,

    stories our ancestors handed down to us.” Psalm 78:1-2

Story-Writing God,

Thank you for the true story of grace 

you have written in Scripture; 

Thank you for the stories of grace 

you have written into our lives. 

May we remember them and share them, 

as the Psalmist Asaph tells us to do.

He says that when we share our stories, 

it helps us and others to…

Turn away from our stubborn persistence 

in living life on our own terms;

Trust in you to rescue and redeem this broken world 

because you have done so in the past;

Hope in you today 

because of how you have already redeemed, 

and how you will restore in the final day; and…

Love others well by showing them 

the grace and mercy we have received.

May we remember that 

one of the best ways we can love others is by 

listening to their stories 

and by sharing our stories and The Story 

that is the basis for all of our faith, hope, and love.

In Jesus’ redeeming name. Amen. 

Read Psalm 78.