Prayer

Stuff and a Morning prayer

/ The Pastor

Today is a big and busy day.  This morning during worship at Belmont there is a baptism.  For Belmont, this is a big deal.  The congregation has 62 members; four school age children (from one family) and a one year old.  Now we have another baby.  Big deal for this congregation. 

After worship I will be visiting a parishioner who is in home hospice.  He took a turn for the worse so I am not sure if he will live through the week.  Please keep Norbert and his family in your prayers.  Also today, I leave for my Fall Theological Conference in Mankato.  I am looking forward to time with the others pastors; being fed by our speakers that are coming, but I am not looking forward to a week away from my wife.  Please pray for Connie and I.

I am still hoping to get internet access while I am gone so I can update this site (Yes I know, I haven’t updated this site since last Sunday, but I will do better).  If you haven’t already noticed, on the top right hand side of the page is a new feature called "A Quick Message".  These are one line sermons that I have come across.  I will put a new one up there every couple days.  So keep your eyes pealed for short, quick little nuggets for your day.

Now to the business at hand.  As we begin our day (whatever day that may be for you depending on when you read this) let’s join together in prayer.  If you don’t already, please remember to start each day of you life talking to God.  If it is only a "Good morning!" and "Thank you", that is good.  Acknowledge God and give him thanks for God is indeed worthy.  So let pray together…

Loving God, where can we possibly start to praise you for your awesome deeds?  Where can we possibly start to thank you for what you have done for us?  Where can we possibly start to confess where we have fallen short of your glory?  We are not worthy, but you are.  We are deserving of nothing but punishment, but you send your Son, Jesus Christ, into our hearts.  Forgive us our sins and keep us in your grace.  Through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, have mercy on us.  Grant each of us want we need to get through the day.  But more importantly, grant each of us what we need to proclaim to the world the love you showed us through the cross.  Thank you, God, for hearing us.  Through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, we pray…Amen!

Have a great day everyone.  Know that Christ is walking right next to you.  You are never alone.  Praise be to God, ALWAYS…Amen! -EDH-

Morning prayer – Sept. 24

/ The Pastor

I was struck by the "Quick message" I found today (see top right side panel).  "People see God everyday; they just do not recognize Him".  Wow…that is the truth.  We zoom by God everyday without saying "Hi" or even making eye contact.  I wish I would slow down and see God for who He is.  I wish I knew Him better.  Let’s make it a point today to slow down and see God.  We just might learn something about this amazing God we have.  Pray this prayer with me…

Loving and gracious God, we run by you everyday without seeing you.  We speak about you with hearing you.  You are right next to us but we do not feel you.  It is not because you are not doing your job, but because we are so caught up in ourselves we do not recognize you.  Thank you for not giving up on us and for always pursuing us.  Thank you for listening to us even though we rarely listen to you.  Thank you for seeing our needs and responding to those needs even though we rarely see you in others.  Thank you for being next to us in times of great need and great joy even though we forget about you.  Thank you, God!  Please open our eyes and ears open so that people in need do not get missed.  You are an awesome God!  Thank you for sending your Son, Jesus Christ to die for our sins.  We praise and lift up your name, though Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen! -EDH-

Morning prayer – Sept 17

/ The Pastor

Good morning everyone!  The second lesson text for today is from the Book of James chapter 3.  The section is titled, "Taming the Tongue".  I encourage everyone to read chapter three and pray your way through it; as we should do with all of scripture.  "What is God trying to say to me?" should be the question you ask to yourself.  And when the question is asked; we need to shut up and listen; something I have a hard time with sometimes.  So this morning I invite you to read James 3 and then join me in a word of prayer:  <READ JAMES 3>

Let us pray…

Oh God, you have given us many gifts to take care of for you and to use for your glory.  All we have is yours.  But one of the things we have, we often times use for evil; mainly our tongue.  We are told we can not tame the tongue which leaves us in the shadow of your mercy.  Please enter my life and grant me a tongue that brings you glory; not one that curses you and others.  As a captian controls the rudder on a ship, please be the one to direct my tongue.  Remind me that what I say is out there for good.  Oh God, giver of good things, give me a tongue to glorify you and to uplift people around me.  Through your Son, Jesus Christ, who died and rose from the grave for the forgiveness of our sins, Amen! -EDH-

Morning prayer – Aug. 27

/ The Pastor

Gracious God,

Calm the activity in my brain and heart so that I may focus on you.  Sometimes the temptations of this life keep me from basking in your glory as I should.  Sometimes I feel drawn away as I attempt  to approach you.  Sometimes (most of the time) I feel as if I have no clue what I am to do.  Pour your Holy Spirit upon me; inspire me with your wisdom; create in me a clean heart so that I may live for you and you alone.  Show me your glory; remind me of your love; teach me your ways so that I may teach others.  Oh God, you are an awesome God.  You give us so much.  And by just taking this time to talk to you I am being reminded that you are listening.  Thank you, God, for loving me the way you do.  Thank you, God, for being patient with me through your forgiveness.  Thank you, God, for calming my heart.  Help me to keep my focus on you.  Through your Son and our Lord, Jesus Christ I pray…Amen! -EDH-

Prayers

/ The Pastor

I have noticed that there are a number of you viewing the prayer requests.  Just a quick note, the newest requests will be at the bottom so you will need to page down to the end to view those. 

Thank you for your prayers.  Your prayers are definitely heard by our Father in heaven.  I know that those who you are praying for greatly appreciate it.  If you are reading this and you have a prayer request listed, we would love to hear how things are going.  How has God responded to our prayers?  How else can this community hold you up?

Prayer is a funny thing.  We sit here and talk to someone we cannot see.  Sometimes I wonder if anyone is listening.  Sometimes I wonder why God does not answer in the way I want.  Sometimes all I want is a sign that someone is there.  I don’t need much, just a small sign.  Maybe a gentle breeze or a small bird landing on my window sill.  But God usually does not respond to those calls for a sign…or does he? 

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.  For EVERYONE who asks receives; EVERYONE who seeks finds; and EVERYONE who knocks, the door will be opened." (Emphasis added is mine) (Matthew 7:7-8)

God does give us a sign and it is found in scripture.  We can talk to someone we cannot see and know that we are not just talking into the air.  We will receive, find and have a door opened.  What that looks like, no one will know until it happens.  Trust that God hears you.  Trust that God loves you.  Trust that God knows you better than you know yourself.  And because of that God gives us exactly what we need.  God answers prayer.  So keep praying…God is listening.  Praise be to God and Amen! -EDH-

Morning prayer for Aug. 20

/ The Pastor

Good morning and blessing to you.  Let us join our hearts together in prayer:

Gracious God, open our hearts this day and everyday to see, hear, and experience the blessings you give us.  We take for granted the life that we have.  We forget that you gave us breath; you gave us a purpose; you gave us gifts.  But most importantly, you gave us your Son to die and live so that we may live forever.  Through Jesus Christ you announce forgiveness to all those who confess their sins.  Hear us now, Oh Lord, hear our confession…

<Take a moment to confess your sins to God>

Through Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and by his authority, I declare onto all of you the forgiveness of all your sins in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, Amen!

God heard our confession and forgiveness is ours.  Praise God for his wonderful grace.  Worship the Lord with gladness.  Give thanks that God is our God.  The love of the Lord is always with you.  Praise be to God and Amen!  -EDH-

Stuff and a prayer

/ The Pastor

Good morning!  No…I have not disappeared.  My wife and I are spending the week with her family.  I am back in town because since I am a pastor, I get to lead worship today.  So here I am. 

I wanted to stop by, though, and point out a new feature of this blog.  On the top right hand side of the page is the cartoon of the day.  This seems out of place considering the nature of this blog site, but hang with me a second.  I like to laugh and what better way than a family friendly cartoon that points out the obvious in life.  Sometimes we move too fast each day.  We forget to laugh and we miss the obvious.  So stop and enjoy a cartoon and remember to laugh at least once each day (the more the better).

With that being said let’s pray and go on with our day.  I will be back later for a longer blog entry.  I do have some stuff to write about that has happened during my short vacation (I will try not to embarass anyone).  Anyway, let’s pray:

Gracious God, giver of all things, we give you thanks and praise for who you are.  We are lost without you.  We have no purpose without you.  We are dead without you.  Show us your love each and everyday.  Help us not to miss the obvious in life; those who you send our way to love and serve.  Help us to laugh and to not take ourselves so seriously.  God, you are awesome.  You are incredible and there is no one like you.  Thank you for who you are.  But most importantly, thank you for sending your Son to love and serve us.  Thank you for sending your Son to live among us and to experience everything we experience.  Thank you for sending your Son to die for us and then defeat death through rising for us.  Thank you God for the gift of eternal life.  We pray this through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior, Amen!!!

Have a great day everyone and God bless.  -EDH-

Morning prayer – Sunday, July 16

/ The Pastor

Let’s pray together…

Heavenly Father I give you thanks for the gift of life.  You are our creator and sustainer.  You give and take away.  You provide for our every need.  You also heal us, sometimes in ways we never could have imagined.  Thank you for guiding and healing my cousin Elizabeth.  Continue to watch over her as she recovers from surgery.

Loving God I give you thanks for the gift of peace.  Jesus said that he gives a peace that goes beyond understanding.  I know I don’t totally understand it, but you are there.  Please God, provide a sense of peace and understanding for those going thought the conflict in the middle east.  War looks like it might break out.  Intervene in a way that is according to your will and help us to see that will.

Gracious God, I give you thanks for all I have.  I even know that I have more than I need, but I often don’t give to others like I should.  Grant me a generous heart to see the need in others.

Thank you God for hearing me (us) this day and everyday.  I know you hear our prayers and that you love us.  Thank you for being our God and for giving us salvation through Jesus Christ.  We are not deserving of this best gift of all.  Thank you God.  We love you.  In Christ’s name we pray…Amen! -EDH-

Prayer request

/ The Pastor

As you faithful readers may know I leave tonight for Nashville with five 9th graders.  We are attending the Youth Encounter national youth gathering called The Edge!  We are meeting at the church at 9:30pm to load, have devotions and prayer with students and families, and head out to meet the bus.  We will be loading the bus about 30 miles away, in Fairmont, at around 10:30pm. Please keep us in your prayers as we travel and attend this gathering.  The Edge! is a training event for senior high kids to be missional leaders in their congregation.  I am hoping for some great things to happen this next week and beyond.  If you want more information about this gathering check out the following website:  www.youthencounter.org/edge  You can also check back here because I will be journaling about our experience each day starting on Friday night or Saturday morning at the latest.

Don’t forget to page down after this post.  I have a devotional that I posted this morning and a couple websites for you to check out.  I figured I needed to keep you busy for a while until I update this page again.

Thanks in advance for your prayers.  Take care and I will talk (write) to you tomorrow night or Saturday morning (depends how tired I am from an all night bus ride tonight).

God bless!  -EDH-

Morning prayer for June 22

/ The Pastor

Let’s take some time to pray this morning.  This prayer is written from my heart but feel free to put yourself in place of the "I"’s in the prayer.  We all need to "seek" God…daily.  Let us pray…

Dear holy and gracious God,

I seek your presence this morning.  I know that seems like a strange request since you promised never to forsake us.  Maybe it is because sometimes I get so caught up in the cares of the world that I don’t see you or hear you or feel you.  The crowd pushes in all around me and I can’t discern whether it is you next to me or someone(thing) else.  I know it sounds silly, but help discern where you are at.

I seek your wisdom this morning.  I know THAT sounds like a strange request, especially coming from me.  There are times when I think I know it all therefore I don’t turn to you for guidance.  I put my devotional book to the side and leave my prayers for a more convenient time.  But I do need your wisdom.  I can’t go it alone.  You are the creator of all I see and don’t see; the designer of life.  You and you alone know the correct path.  Show me your way and teach me your wisdom.

I seek your truth this morning.  The messages out there on the air waves, in the newspaper and on the Internet are confusing.  They say one thing and my heart says something else.  I feel pressured on all sides to conform to the world rather than be transformed by your Word.  Teach me your truth, O God.

I seek your strength this morning.  Sometimes I feel I can’t go on.  You have called us to so many different vocations such as: friend, son/daughter, mother/father, co-worker, counselor, listener, etc.  I change hats daily and hourly for that matter.  I get tired out and sometimes forget who I am.  Grant me strength to show your glory through the many vocations you have called me to.

Lastly (but certainly not least), I seek your forgiveness.  I know I have messed up.  I know I have fallen short of your glory (way short actually).  Please have mercy on me and forgive me, through your Son, Jesus Christ, who died and rose from the grave all for me. 

Thank you, God, for hearing my prayer.  Thank you for being faithful even when I am not.  Thank you for loving me so much. Thank you!  Through your Son, Jesus Christ, I pray, Amen!

(May you know and feel the presence of the Lord today and always)