Prayer

Begin…

/ The Pastor

Hebrews 12:1–2 (ESV) Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Holy God,
as I begin this day,
I am feeling the weight of demands and expectations.
I am feeling the prodding of Satan’s attacks.
I am feeling the weariness of the battle.
All of which work against that which You call me to do;
to shine the light of Your love.
Oh God,
May my eyes be fixed on the founder and perfecter of my faith, Jesus Christ.
May his strength alleviate the weight of demands and expectations.
May Your armor shield me from Satan’s prodding jabs.
May Your promises revive my weary soul.
May I continue to “run the race”;
following the example of the witnesses before me
and with my eyes firmly fixed on my Lord and Savior.
And so,
I begin may day,
ready to run.
In Jesus name I pray,
Amen.

The Pastor -|—

Partnership in the Gospel

/ The Pastor

[Prayer of the Day for Sun, Sept 16, 2018, based on the preaching text from Phil. 1:3-11]

Holy God,
Through Your grace
You have called us to salvation
through faith in Jesus Christ.
Through Your Holy Spirit
You empower us to serve in Your kingdom.
Through Your Son, Jesus Christ,
You knit us together as a holy Church.
May we, together, work to advance the Gospel;
lifting one another up
and bearing one another’s burdens.
To You be the glory, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

The Pastor -|–

You Ways and Your Thoughts

/ The Pastor

Holy God,
the prophet Isaiah records Your words,
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,
declares the LORD.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
Those words can be frustrating to sinners
who want what we want,
but I also take great comfort
that when everything seems out of control
and doesn’t make sense,
You really are in control.
And so, I come before You this morning in faith.
My life is in Your hands.
I don’t understand many things,
(and forgive me when I claim I do),
but You are God and thus I trust in You.
Mold me and shape me.
Renew me and remake me.
Guide me and lead me.
Transform me so that
my thoughts become Your thoughts,
and You ways become my ways.
I pray this through my Lord and Savior,
Jesus Christ,
Amen.

The Pastor -|—

Shine

/ The Pastor / 1 Comment

Holy God,
Your mercy is great,
Your grace is abundant,
Your might is awesome,
Your love is precious,
I begin this day waking in Your arms,
and basking in Your glory.
I want to leave this house clinging to You
and embracing Your commandments.
Grant me, I pray,
Your Spirit that I may shine.
As the face of Moses shined; reflecting Your glory,
may my life shine bright.
But may I not veil Your glory but boldly live for You.
Oh God, I want to shine for You.
In Jesus name I pray.
Amen.

The Pastor-|—

Jesus, You Alone

/ The Pastor

Jesus,
you alone sacrificed EVERYTHING
that I could have everything I need.

Jesus,
you alone are the “something” to believe in
for you alone are my EVERYTHING.

Cross

Jesus,
you alone knows what it means to lose everything
as you hung on the cross crying out,
“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?“

Jesus,
you alone are deserving of everything I am
for you alone are worthy of everything.

Jesus,
this country sets up idols on lofty thrones,
not knowing from whence comes true hope.

Oh Lord Jesus,
help me to speak into such madness and foolishness,
not to put people down but to raise them up;
not that I can boast but that You are glorified.

Jesus,
you are my everything.

The Pastor -|—

Strength and Shield

/ The Pastor

“The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him.”
[Psalms 28:7 ESV]

Oh Lord,
You are my Strength.
You are my Shield.
In You I am found safe and secure.
In You I am on firm footing.
In You I shall never to be moved.
And thus I praise You,
oh Lord,
for many would assail me,
Satan’s torments crash against me as the waves of the sea.
Sin is constantly enticing me to turn away from You.
On my own I am weak.
On my own I would surely succumb to the evil one.
On my own You are not glorified.
But You ARE my Strength.
You ARE my Shield.
And thus I am here to praise You.
My heart exalts.
My heart is over-joyed.
For You help me,
and You shield me.
You place a hedge of protection around me.
And there is nothing and no one that can snatch me out of Your hands.
And so, as I begin this new day,
may I ever remember You as my Fortress,
and say with confidence and boldness,
“Satan, bring it on.”
To You, oh God, be all glory and honor and strength and praise.
In Jesus name I pray,
Amen.

The Pastor -|—

A Worship Prayer

/ The Pastor / 1 Comment

Holy God,
We gather as fallen people;
defiled and lost;
crying out to You as a child runs to their loving parent seeking consolation.
We gather as redeemed people,
knowing from which we have been plucked;
the snare of death.
We gather as a worshiping people;
joyful and thankful
that You are God.
And so,
We adore You and praise You.
We worship You and glorify You;
for You are more than worthy.
Hear our cries;
receive our prayer;
accept our worship,
oh God, our Father;
Rock and redeemer.
Amen.

The Pastor -|—

Boldness

/ The Pastor

Oh LORD,

Teach me
Show me Your path
Guide me through this life
Humble me when I become proud
Protect me when Satan attacks
Raise me up when I fall
Transform me
Lead me
Embolden me
Hold me close to you
Forgive me when I fail
Light the way for me
Grant me wisdom
Redeem me

Your “boldness“, oh LORD, is my hope and strength,
and thus I shall persevere.
Though enemies assail me,
I shall never be destroyed.
May I never forget Your “boldness“,
so may I bring glory to Your holy name.

oh LORD,

Hear me.

In Jesus name I pray,
Amen

The Pastor -|—

Holy Hill Prayer

/ The Pastor

O LORD,

Who shall sojourn in your tent?
Who shall dwell on your holy hill?
It is he who walks blamelessly
and does what is right
and speaks truth in his heart;
who does not slander with his tongue
and does no evil to his neighbor,
nor takes up a reproach against his friend;
in whose eyes a vile person is despised,
but who honors those who fear the LORD;
who swears to his own hurt and does not change;
who does not put out his money at interest
and does not take a bribe against the innocent.
It is he who does these things who shall never be moved.

Holy God,

I am humbled and convicted by these words from the psalmist (Psalm 15);
for I have no right to stand in Your presence.
Nobody does.

But it’s Jesus that justifies and so it’s in his name that I call out to You.

Hear my prayer and forgive me.
Hear my cries and come to me.
Hear my pleadings and have mercy on me.

Holy God,
I want to sojourn in your tent.
I want to dwell on your holy hill.
I want to commune with You forever.
Restore me,
Renew me,
Remake me;
that I my glorify Your most holy name.
In Jesus name I pray,
Amen.

The Pastor -|—

Concerned

/ The Pastor / 2 Comments

I am concerned.

I am concerned that people would rather draw battle lines
rather than come together.
I am concerned that people would rather fire shots across the bow
rather than lay down arms.
I am concerned that people would rather strive for the last word
rather than listen to words.
I am concerned that people would rather craft hated-filled words for others
rather than truly listen and consider the impact of their own words.
I am concerned that people would rather hide behind social media posts
rather than honestly listen and talk with one another.
I am concerned that people would rather create sides/parties
rather than strive for unity.

I am concerned.

I am concerned that people aren’t running to God.
I am concerned that people aren’t dropping to their knees in prayer.
I am concerned that the blame-game doesn’t included one’s own actions.
I am concerned that it is always someone else’s fault.
I am concerned that this country is in a win-lose internal battle.
I am concerned that this nation is turning to other gods for help.

I am concerned.

But I am also hopeful,
because Jesus reigns and always will,
God is still God,
and the Holy Spirit is still active;
and therefore I will pray for this country.
I will pray for it’s leaders,
I will pray for it’s citizens,
I will pray for it’s success,
that God may be glorified.

Be concerned, but be hopeful.
God has already won.

The Pastor -|—