PASTORAL PRAYER | October 18, 2020
Our Father and Our God,
We give you thanks that we may approach your throne not as strangers and aliens, but as adopted members of your family through the Lord Jesus, our elder brother.
We thank you that our sins have been covered by Christ’s perfect record and that the penalty for them has been born by him too.
As we reflect on our own lives and our life together as a church help us to honestly ask and answer the question: what are we willing to do?
What are we willing to do in order to bring honor and glory to your name?
What are we willing to do in order to connect people to the Lord Jesus so that he can transform their lives?
What are we willing to do so that we can have an effective ministry and mission in this community?
And if we find, within ourselves, the answer returning to us as “not much,” help us to lay our unwillingness before your throne and turn from it.
And if we find ourselves thinking, “I don’t really know,” by your Spirit guide and inspire us with one thing we can do to make a change in our own lives and in our congregation.
And if we find ourselves longing to see change come about, give us the grace to encourage and build others up as together we lean into your mission for us.
We need your help. We are weak, but it is in our weakness that your great strength is revealed.
And now, we turn to the needs and concerns of this day.
We pray for the peace of the world, that a spirit of respect and forbearance may grow among nations and peoples.
For those in positions of public trust especially that they may serve justice, and promote the dignity and freedom of every person.
For all who live and work in this community.
For a blessing upon all human labor, and for the right use of the riches of creation, that the world may be freed from poverty, famine, and disaster.
For the poor, the persecuted, the sick, and all who suffer; for refugees, prisoners, and all who are in danger; that they may be relieved and protected.
We pray for this congregation–for those who are present, and for those who are absent–that we may be delivered from hardness of heart, and show forth your glory in all that we do.
We pray for our enemies and those who wish us harm, and for all whom we have injured or offended.
We pray for ourselves; for the forgiveness of our sins, and for the grace of the Holy Spirit to amend our lives, we pray to you, O Lord.
And we remember all who have commended themselves to our prayers; for our families, friends, and neighbors; that being freed from anxiety, they may live in joy, peace, and health, we pray to you, O Lord.
And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to pray:
Our Father,
Who art in heaven; hallowed be Thy name.
Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done
On earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil;
For Thine is the Kingdom, and the Power, and the Glory, forever.
Amen
jeff gissing 