“They have hands, but they cannot feel; they have feet, but they cannot
walk; they cannot make a sound with their throat. Those who make them will
become like them, everyone who trusts in them. O Israel, trust in the Lord; He
is their help and their shield.” (Psalm 115:7-9)

You will become like the god you
worship. Is this not the promise of Scripture that those who live by faith will
become like Jesus? Come into the promise of the Lord and do not linger at the
feet of the dumb idols that every age worships. We have been called to worship
the One through whom all things have their being. Know that life is found only
in the One who created all life.

Lord, so many things get in the way of worshiping You. We long for the things of this world and seek after vain things. Guide me, O Lord, to know that only in You is there hope and a future. Lead me to see that the world chases after the same gods wrapped in different clothing. Help me to be free of the illusions that obscure my sight that I may walk in the light of Your presence always.

Lord Jesus, You have come that we
may have life and have it abundantly. Guide me, O Lord, in the way of truth
which You established from the beginning that I may walk humbly in Your
presence. Lead me, O Lord, that I may follow. You have promised that I will be
like You. Help me through the hindrances with Your salvation which is offered
to me this day. Amen.

THE PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH

5^th Sunday in Lent, Cycle C (April 7, 2019)

 For the Church, the world, and our poor sinful selves, let us pray to our Lord, who is slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.

A brief silence

Lord Jesus, when we contemplate your self-sacrificing love for us, we can only repeat the words of two beloved hymns: “Were the whole realm of nature mine, that were a tribute far too small. Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all!” “Thousand thousand thanks are due, dearest Jesus, unto you!”

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Grant that your Church should count everything as loss, compared to the surpassing worth of knowing you as Savior, Lord, and God. Fill it with the overwhelming desire to make you known to every sinner throughout the world, until you truly are the “all in all,” for all. Especially we pray for the persecuted Church, and for missionaries and evangelists throughout the world.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Strengthen and guide this congregation in faithful worship, loving fellowship, generous outreach, and holy living. Make this place a true sanctuary, a place of refreshment and refuge for souls battered by sin, sorrow, and suffering.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

We pray for those preparing for Baptism at Eastertide; for everyone seeking to renew their relationship with you; and for all pastors, congregations, and ministries in the midst of transition. Be their companion and guide along their pilgrim path; refresh them with the joy of your saving help; and bless them with your lovingkindness.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Give peace, justice, health and safety to every nation, especially our own. Grant wisdom and integrity to all who have been entrusted with authority and power, especially our elected and appointed leaders. Teach us to love one another through deeds of mercy and words of understanding.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

There are so many people who hunger for healing and thirst for reconciliation; who long for encouragement and seek understanding; who desire forgiveness, comfort, faith, and hope. Refresh them in the wilderness of their suffering, dear Lord – especially those we lift before you now {List}.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

In gratitude and hope, we entrust our beloved dead into your keeping, dear Lord. Bestow the Holy Spirit, the Comforter upon us all, especially upon all who mourn. Through the same Spirit’s power and gifts, grant that throughout our life, we may know you, O Christ, and the power of your resurrection. Give us grace to share in your suffering. Claim us as your own, clothe us with your righteousness, and, of your mercy, welcome us and all whom you have redeemed into your Father’s  everlasting Kingdom.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Hear us, dear Lord; and answer our prayers according to your will, to your glory and for the benefit of the people you long to save.

Amen.

“Their idols are silver and gold, the work of man’s hands. They have
mouths, but they cannot speak; they have eyes, but they cannot see; they have
ears, but they cannot hear; they have noses, but they cannot smell;” (Psalm
115:2-6)

Technology is an idol of this
age. Sports and entertainment are idols of this age. We have many things that people
worship and where does it get them? These things consume our time and take our
minds off higher things. We listen to these dead gods and think that in them is
life. Life comes only from the One who has created life. Come to the Lord and
know that He alone is good and worthy.

Lord, clear my mind to see more clearly the truth that tools we have
created answer no questions of meaning . Guide me in the way I should go that I
would not be caught up in the nonsensical thinking of this world. You alone
give life. Lead me to see that in You alone is meaning, hope and the only
future that is good.

Lord Jesus, You have come to lead
me into an abundant life. Teach me what I need to know that I may see more
clearly the state of this world. Help me now and always to see through what
this world offers that I may not fall prey to the false gods of this age. They
are unthinking and uncaring. You alone have the words of eternal life. Lead me
ever closer to You my Savior. Amen.

“Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to Your name give glory because of
Your lovingkindness, because of Your truth. Why should the nations say, “Where,
now, is their God?” But our God is in the heavens; He does whatever He pleases.”
(Psalm 115:1-3)

The battle in the world is easy
to see. There are those who know that the Lord God made all things and that
honor and glory belong to Him. Then, there are those who are vying for honor to
get glory for themselves. You see it all around you. Which of these people will
you be? To whom shall you render honor and glory? The Lord alone is worthy of
all honor and praise.

Lord teach me where I am caught up in the nonsense of this age. Lead me
away from the way of the world to see things as they always have been. You are
unchanging, gracious and merciful. In Your mercy, open my eyes to see and my
ears to hear the immutable truth that You alone are beyond the ages and yet You
have made Yourself known to those who have eyes to see and ears to hear.

Lord Jesus, You have come that we
may see the light and come into a life of praise and worship. Lead me, O Lord,
to the place where, in spite of the noise of the wicked, I live in praise and
worship of You in eternal Trinity. Guide my thoughts and actions to reflect a
life of praise and worship. May I abide in You knowing that in You alone is the
hope of the ages. Amen.

“Tremble, O earth, before the Lord, before the God of Jacob, who turned
the rock into a pool of water, the flint into a fountain of water.” (Psalm
114:7-8)

Those who contend with the Lord
should tremble before Him. It is not a matter of making peace with the Lord,
but accepting the peace He offers. Come into the salvation that belongs to
those who trust in the Lord above all things. Fear not the things of the earth,
but the One who made all things. He who made the rocks is the rock upon which
faith is built and life is lived.

Come then and stop pretending that you have reason to negotiate with
the Lord. He made you and knows you. He knows what you are made of and what He
intends with your life. Come and lay down your arms of hostility and live into
the life which He offers. He is the Lord and great to save those who come to
Him. Know that the Lord offers life and liberty to those who fear Him.

Lord Jesus, You have come to lead
the way that this day I may know that You have come in love to those who fear
You. Guide me, O Lord, in the grace You give that I may abide now and always in
the love You offer. You are the love of the Father which has come in human form
to shower upon us the truth of the ages. Lead me, O Lord, in the way You would
have me go that I may go in Your grace. Amen.

“What ails you, O sea, that you flee? O Jordan, that you turn back? O
mountains, that you skip like rams? O hills, like lambs?” (Psalm114:5-6)

The earth belongs to the Lord,
for it is He who made it. Who can stand against the word of the Lord. If he
speaks, the earth trembles. If he calls for the sea to be still, it is. Know
this, O man, that if the creation around you knows how to obey the command of
the Lord, how is it you do not bow down before the One who made you? The Lord
calls and those who have faith listen.

Lord, You have called to me and I have ignored Your Word. Guide me away
from my rebellion to listen to Your Word; for You have given the words of eternal
life. Lead me, O Lord, in the way of righteousness that I would now and always
listen to Your word. Guide me, O Lord, in the way of truth that I would not
veer from its path. In You alone is the hope of every generation.

Lord Jesus, the Word made flesh,
You have come to bring life and light to a people who are not Your people. Make
us Your people that we would journey with You all the days of our life. Lead us
in the way of righteousness that we would have more wisdom than the earth which
trembles at the sound of Your voice. Lead me away from the ways of this world
and into the truth of eternity. Amen.

“The sea looked and fled; the Jordan turned back. The mountains skipped
like rams, the hills, like lambs.” (Psalm 114:3-4)

The Lord prepares the way for
His faithful. Though you may not see or even understand, know that all of
history is in the hands of the Lord. He who knows you knows the way that needs
to be cleared to provide for you that you may always be with Him. Come to the
Lord and walk in His goodness, knowing that all things are in His hands. He
will guide you in all of your ways.

Lord, You have already cleared the path that I may walk with You now
and forever. Lead me through the valleys where I cannot see ahead. Remind me
that You already know of all the obstacles that will come my way. Guide me in
Your goodness that I may now and always walk according to the way of truth. Teach
me to abide in You that I may learn and grow in this life.

Lord Jesus, You are the way. You
have come to lead me, and each one of us, in the way of eternal life. Guide me
this day, O Lord, that I may not stray from the way You have prepared for me. Teach
me Your precepts that I may abide in You and You in me, now and always. Guide
me to become like You more each day. You are the Savior who has come to lead
the way. Amen.

“When Israel went forth from Egypt, the house of Jacob from a people of
strange language, Judah became His sanctuary, Israel, His dominion.” (Psalm
114:1-2)

The name Jacob means “one who
contends.” The name Israel means “God prevails.” The difference tells the
story. The people came out of Egypt contending with the Lord and came into the
land of promise knowing that the Lord is the One who prevails. They came from a
land with a strange language to the place of knowing the Word of the Lord and
abiding in Him.

You are invited out of the “strange land” of this world which speaks
hostility against the Lord and into the place where the Lord, who made all
things, is the One to whom you listen. Come then and know that the Lord is good
above all gods and is the One who knows You and all people. Let the Lord be
Your sanctuary knowing that in Him alone is goodness and mercy all the days of
your life.

Lord Jesus, You have come to take
us out of the Egypt that is this world. It is a land that speaks hostility and
promotes wickedness. Guide me, O Lord, in the way of life that You offer that I
may now and always abide in You as You abide in me knowing that only in You may
I find the way of life. You have come to lead the way, so guide me this day and
every day in Your goodness and mercy. Amen.

“He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash
heap, to make them sit with princes, with the princes of His people. He makes
the barren woman abide in the house as a joyful mother of children. Praise the
Lord!” (Psalm 113:7-9)

All are the same in the Lord’s
eyes. He does not judge as the world judges. He loves all equally. Come into
the love of the Lord and know that He cares for all that He has made. He does
lift up the lowly and humbles the proud in their conceit. Be guided by the
principles of the Lord and not by the way of this world. Know that He who loves
you will lift you, for all are equal in His eyes.

Lord, by grace You have leveled the valleys and mountains. Lift me up
where I need to be lifted and lower me where I need to be lowered. Guide me
according to Your goodness to dwell in Your house forever. May I learn from You
to be humble and lowly and go where You would send me. May I know Your goodness
and share it with others. May I abide always in You.

Lord Jesus, You are the example
of the godly life and You have called for each of us to abide in You and You in
each one of us. May this be so as I live this day. Guide me in the truth of the
Holy Spirit that I may shine forth with Your presence this day. Lead me to see
what is good and to do what You would have me do now and forever. You are my
Lord and You have called me to rest in You. Amen.

THE PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH

4^th Sunday in Lent, Cycle C (March 31, 2019)

 For the Church, the world, and our poor sinful selves, let us pray to our Lord, who is slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.

A brief silence

Dearest heavenly Father, thank you for forgiving, welcoming, and restoring us, even when we have foolishly squandered your great gifts and turned away from you! Thank you for your Holy Spirit, who brings us “to our right minds” and helps us repent. Thank you for your Son. He guides us to your embrace; he gives his Body and Blood as the homecoming feast; he clothes us with his own righteousness; and he places the signet-ring of his Sonship upon our hand. We give you thanks, Father, not as we ought, but as we are able.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Make your Church faithful in proclaiming both your Law and Gospel. Make it lovely with holiness, gentle in rebuke, warmhearted in reconciliation, and generous in welcoming all whom you have led to repent.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Help this congregation to pray for, seek out, and forgive anyone who has wronged us. Give us patience, hope, graciousness, and humility. Make this a place where those who are estranged from us, and from you, may return and be reconciled.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

We pray for families torn apart by sin, squabbling, and selfishness. Heal them; return each person “to their right minds.” Deliver them from the pigsty of foolish pride and the far country of hostility. Take away whatever resentment and hurt stands in the way of healing and reunion.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Forgive those who, though entrusted with the great gifts of authority, power, and influence, have squandered them and used them foolishly. Give wisdom, integrity, and prudence to our elected and appointed leaders; to those in the military and first responders; to those entrusted with the education of our children and the welfare of our most vulnerable neighbors. And teach us to live at peace with one another, despite our differences!

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Bring healing, hope, and wholeness to everyone who suffers – especially: {List}. Bring them back from the far country of pain, sorrow, or despair. Restore them to the fellowship of all who love them, and increase their joyful trust in you.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Father, you have welcomed so many prodigals into your Kingdom already, including many whom we have loved in this life! Thank you for your forgiving and loving embrace. Keep our eyes firmly fixed on the road home to you. Deliver us from the pig sty of our stubborn pride. Soften our hearts to help our fellow prodigals along the way. Lavish your Holy Spirit upon us, so that we constantly strive to live in faith toward you and in fervent love for one another. And, at the last, welcome us to the homecoming feast you have prepared by the prodigality of your dear Son’s great love for us, the wayward sisters and brothers he has redeemed to live in your house forever.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Hear us, dear Lord; and answer our prayers according to your will, to your glory and for the benefit of the people you long to save.

Amen.