O LORD, our God, Maker of the heavens and the earth, the One who appointeth the sun to rule the day and the moon to shine in the night, we draw near unto Thee with reverence and with hope. We bless Thy holy name, for Thy word is sure and Thy promises are faithful. Thou art not a God afar off only, but the God who seeth the hurt of Thy people and who remembereth the covenant of mercy.

Father, we set our hearts upon Thy promise, even as it is written: “Moreover the light of the moon shall be as the light of the sun, and the light of the sun shall be sevenfold, as the light of seven days, in the day that the LORD bindeth up the breach of his people, and healeth the stroke of their wound.” Lord, let this word be living in us, not as mere sound upon the lips, but as strength in our bones and comfort in our spirits. For many breaches have risen among us—breaches in faith, breaches in families, breaches in peace, breaches in trust, breaches between brethren, and breaches within our own hearts. Yet Thou hast declared that there is “the day that the LORD bindeth up the breach of his people.”

O LORD, bind up what we have torn. Mend what sin hath broken. Restore what fear and bitterness have wasted. Where we have been divided, gather us. Where we have been scattered, bring us home. Where we have carried hidden grief, lift it from us by Thy gentle hand. Where guilt accuseth us, lead us to repentance and cleanse us, that we may walk uprightly. We confess that we have often leaned upon our own understanding, and our eyes have been dim to Thy goodness. But Thou art able to bring a light that is not like the dimness of our night; Thou art able to make the very “light of the moon” to be “as the light of the sun.”

Lord, we pray for illumination—holy light upon our path, light in our decisions, light in our conscience, light in our homes, and light in Thy church. When our hearts are shadowed by anxiety, let Thy promise rise within us. When the burdens of life press sore, let there be a brightness from Thy presence that quieteth our troubled thoughts. When confusion clouds our judgment, shine upon us with wisdom that is pure and peaceable. Let the darkness of temptation be scattered, and let the secret things that wound us be exposed, not to shame us, but to heal us.

And, Father, as Thou hast spoken, let “the light of the sun” be “sevenfold, as the light of seven days.” Give us not a small measure of Thy help, but abundant mercy. Give us not a fleeting comfort, but enduring joy. Let Thy grace be multiplied unto us. Let there be a fullness of restoration that exceedeth our expectation, that we may testify that Thy power is great and Thy compassion faileth not.

For some among us bear the stroke of wounds—wounds of loss, wounds of betrayal, wounds of long sickness, wounds of disappointment, wounds of words spoken in anger, wounds of our own choices. We bring these injuries before Thee, and we ask according to Thy word: “healeth the stroke of their wound.” Heal, O LORD, the places in us that no man can reach. Heal the memory that haunts. Heal the heart that hath grown weary. Heal the spirit that hath been bowed down. Heal the body that suffereth affliction. Heal the relationships that have been bruised by pride and neglect.

Make us a people who dwell in Thy light. Teach us to wait for Thee without murmuring, to seek Thee without doubting, to obey Thee without delay. Let us not despise the day of Thy mending, but yield ourselves to Thy hands as the Great Physician. Let gratitude rise in us as Thou bindest up our breach, and let humility keep us near Thee, knowing that our wholeness is Thy gift.

O LORD, when Thou dost restore, let it be seen. When Thou dost heal, let it be felt. When Thou dost shine, let it be known that it is Thy doing. Let our lives reflect Thy brightness, that others who walk in dim places may behold hope. And when the night returneth, remind us again of Thy word, that the day cometh when “the light of the moon shall be as the light of the sun,” and the sun itself shall be “sevenfold, as the light of seven days,” because Thou, LORD, hast bound up the breach of Thy people, and hast healed the stroke of their wound.

We ask these things with faith, and we give Thee praise beforehand, for Thou art mighty to save and tender to restore. Amen.