Prayer

Morning prayer – June 13

/ The Pastor

Close your door; turn off your phone and join me in a word of prayer:

Gracious God,

We come before you today with grateful hearts.  We know that all we have comes from you.  You provide us with food and clothing, home and work, family and friends; and all we need from day to day. Thank you God for all the blessings you have given us.  May we use them to your glory.

We come before you with heavy hearts.  We have done things to hurt you and others.  Through your Son Jesus Christ, forgive us our sins; wipe our slate clean; renew our souls; and send us forth as your voice of salvation to the people around us.  Give us courage to witness our faith to them.

We come before you with uncertain hearts.  We know that you love us and are with us, but sometimes we wonder where you are.  Help us to feel your presence in the dark times of our lives; when the world seems to be against us; when people want to bring us down; strengthen us so others may see the hope we have in the face of uncertainty.

We come before you with wounded hearts.  Some of us are physically; mentally; emotionally and spriritually "under the weather".  We need healing in what ever way you see best.  Give us eyes to see and a faith to understand that you provide healing in anyway you see that we need.

Lastly we come before you with joyful hearts.  You sent your Son Jesus Christ to die and rise that we may live with you forever.  This world has no claim on us; Satan has no dominion over us; death does not have the last word.  Thank you for your love and grace and forgiveness.  Through your Son, our Lord, Jesus Christ we pray, Amen!

Prayer request

/ The Pastor

Today is the Celebration of New Life service for Sue.  For those of you who do not know Sue, refer to my previous posts "What is my purpose?" and "Where is your hope?".  Sue died last week but the family wanted to wait until everyone could get here.  That is why this service is so late.  But that is beside the point.  The point I want to make this morning is two fold.  First, I want to clue you in on the title of the service today.  At Salem Lutheran Church we no longer call a service like this a funeral; rather we call it a Celebration of New Life.  This new title is very appropriate considered that New Life is exactly what Jesus gives us through his death and resurrection.  That is why Sue’s family can gather today with hope; hope that they will see Sue again.  And that hope is yours as well.  You too will get a chance to meet Sue someday.

The second point is actually a request.  Please keep Sue’s family in your prayers.  Even though this is a time to celebrate the New Life that was given to Sue and is given to us all, there will still be tears and hard times.  But with the prayers of many people around them hopefully they will feel the love and support that comes with prayer.  Prayer does make a difference.  People can feel it when you pray.  So remember Sue’s only son and her three grandsons and three great-grandchildren.  Remember the promise we have through the cross.  Remember that you too are loved.  Celebrate today the New Life another child of God is experiencing.  Praise be to God and Amen!

Prayer Requests

/ The Pastor / 9 Comments

Submit your prayer requests here and let’s lift each other up in prayer.  See the submitted comments below.  If you have an experience of answered prayer, stop back and let us know.  Remember, God loves you and is listening.

Pastor Eric