“In beatings, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in hunger, in purity, in knowledge, in patience, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in genuine love” (2 Corinthians 6:5-6)

The call of the Lord is to come into and live His love. Yes, we each suffer many things. What has the Lord suffered as He created this creation to watch it rebel against Him? Sometimes we become conditional in our life and because of circumstances, harbor bitterness. Rather than react in rebellion, come to the place where you love because you were first loved. God is love.

Lord, I can do nothing about what happens to me. Lead me to rejoice that You are with me every step of the way. Lead me in the truth of life, that You are love and have loved us so much that You gave Your only begotten Son that we may not perish, but be with You eternally. Guide me, O Lord, in the way of truth that I may walk in the way of life and love now and forever.

Lord Jesus, You love us more than we can imagine. You even said that there is no greater love than that one would lay down their life for another. This is what You have done for each one of us. Lead me, Lord, to understand more fully the gift You have given me that I may respond and learn to love as You love. Teach me to love, Lord, that I may put You on and become like You. Amen.

Behold, now is “the acceptable time,” behold, now is “the day of salvation” – giving no cause for offense in anything, so that the ministry will not be discredited, but in everything commending ourselves as servants of God, in much endurance, in afflictions, in hardships, in distresses” (2 Corinthians 6:2b-4)

The word servant here is slave. Slave, not as sinners perverted this in more recent times, but slave as in totally dependant upon the Lord in, through, and for all things. We are to be totally dependant upon the Lord. He will lead and guide us through all that will come before us. He will strengthen us for the struggle which will be ours as we follow the Lord through this age.

The world is filled with difficulties. The Lord has given each of us the will do do as we please. We see the outcome of this with all of the wickedness that fills the world. Yet, He has also given you a will that you can give to Him that You might be what He created you to be. Come then into the presence of the Lord and walk with Him that you may know the salvation He grants to those who believe.

Lord Jesus, You have prepared the way and You know the difficulty of this age. Lead me, O Lord, in faith that I would walk as You lead knowing that You have already prepared the way. Guide me in Your goodness to see that in You alone is all hope and a future glory. Teach me endurance that I may fight the good fight and run the race with perseverance, knowing my hope is in what You have already accomplished. Amen.

“And working together with Him, we also urge you not to receive the grace of God in vain – for He says, “At the acceptable time I listened to you, And on the day of salvation I helped you” (2 Corinthians 6:1-2).

Listen to something that does not exist in what others offer. The Lord God is personal. That may seem obvious, but this simple and unique thing is another of the many realities the Lord shows us. He is not some distant potentate who creates things, but a personal, loving God who cares for His creation. When you listen to the Lord, on that day you know He has provided salvation.

Lord, open my ears to hear that I may listen to all that You say. I often run off with my assumptions and then falter in faith. Help me to trust You by listening to all that You say. You are here each and every day and are constantly calling to me. Guide me, O Lord, in the way You would have me go that I may truly be one who follows You in all of the ways You direct me.

Lord Jesus, in the days past, the Father spoke to us through the prophets of old, but now in these last days He has spoken to us through You. Help me to learn to listen to all that You have said that I may be guided by Your goodness and grace. Teach me how to follow You, Lord, that I may be one who lives in the salvation You have prepared before the foundation of the world. Amen.

“Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him (2 Corinthians 5:20-21).

You have been called as an ambassador for Christ. It is not just about Sunday church-going behavior, but about who you are becoming. How is your everyday behavior? Do you care about those whom you meet along the way, or do you see the world in an us-them way? Live doing what the Lord gives you to do knowing that He loves all people enough to die for every one of them.

Lord, lift up my spirit that I would see things as You want me to see them. Help me realize that my behavior at all times is important. You have called me to be a witness in thought, word, and deed. You have called me to be a full-time follower who knows that the unbelieving eyes that watch me are seeing a witness of the faith in action. Guide me into a behavior and attitude that freely lives the grace You have given while being serious about the impact I have upon others.

Lord Jesus, You were the only One who was able to do this perfectly. In Your example, help me to live into the life for which You have called me, that I may be an ambassador to a world that does not know You. Equip me to serve as You know I can that I may live out this new life to which You have enabled me to live by grace. In all things, help me to do what is pleasing to the Father. Amen.

Prayers of the Church, 12^th Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 16 – August 23, 2020

Let us pray for the church, the world, and all people according to their need.

A brief silence is kept.

Heavenly Father, thank you for Peter! Thank you that he was so very human, and yet you graced him with faith to confess Jesus as your Son and Messiah. As you used him, we ask that you would also use us, to do your work of forgiving, confessing, and proclaiming Jesus as Lord to a disbelieving world.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Establish the Church upon the solid rock of Christ, and on the faithful witness of your apostles. Make the Church truly the one body of Christ upon this earth; and do not let the gates of hell prevail against its faithful proclamation and teaching. By your Holy Spirit, make it wise, gracious and steadfast in your command to rightly forgive and retain sin; and use it to bring many to a saving faith in Jesus their Savior.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Keep safe your servants who are persecuted for naming Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God. Visit them with your righteousness and draw near with your salvation. Grant that our words and deeds may never hinder or tarnish their witness. We also pray for missionaries, seminarians, and theologians entrusted with rightly proclaiming your word.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Conform the people and programs of this congregation to your good, acceptable, and perfect will. Help us to not think too highly of ourselves, but with sober judgment to use our talents according to the grace you have given each of us. Build up the body of your beloved Son among us through sound preaching, faithful teaching, generous giving, cheerful service, and loving kindness.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Bless all those who have instructed and shaped our faith – parents, grandparents, pastors, Sunday School teachers, and all those whose love for Jesus shines brightly through their lives and their example. Thank you for the saints whose confession of Jesus as Lord has been a blessing to others, and has formed the unseen foundation of our own faith. Use us to encourage, instruct and guide others in lives of discipleship and service, to your glory and for the building up of your people.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Teach the world’s rulers listen to you, the giver of justice and the author of salvation. Conform their decisions and deeds to your righteous will, so that they care for the lowly and give hope to all who cry out to you. Heal the divisions that fracture families, communities, and nations; and help us to live at peace with our neighbors.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Bless all who risk their lives to protect, defend and rescue others. Give them the gifts of valor, loyalty, wisdom, and competence; and help them to use those gifts according to your will and for the benefit of your people. Heal their wounds of body and mind; reunite them swiftly with their loved ones; and crown their labors with the blessing of your peace.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Graciously answer the prayers of everyone who calls upon you for help, including: {List}. Keep them safe in the midst of all that troubles them; increase their strength within them; and let them lift up their eyes and see the light of your salvation.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Most gracious Father, we praise and glorify you because your love endures forever. In your great mercy, draw near and make good your purpose for us. Keep us steadfast in faith, bold in witness, generous in sharing, cheerful in helping, gentle in exhorting, frequent in forgiving, and constant in thankfulness to you, our rock, and our salvation. Lead us into presence of Christ our Lord. Give to us, and to all whom he has redeemed, eternal joy and gladness; thanksgiving and the voice of song.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Hear our prayer, O Father, and grant all that glorifies you and builds up your people. This we ask for Jesus’ sake. Amen.

“Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation” (2 Corinthians 5:18-19).

Are you able to see the reality of grace? All of these things are from God. It is the Lord who is doing this and not counting against us our iniquities. Yes, work as if it depended upon you, but never forget it is the Lord who has made possible our reconciliation with Him. He who knew no sin became our sin that we who cannot know perfection might become perfect through Him.

Lord, these things often confuse me, for I live in an age that is always bargaining and seeking an upper hand. With You, it is all or nothing and You offer this with Your own life. Lead me into heavenly thinking that I may see things through Your eyes. Guide me to know that in You alone is all hope, for only through You can anyone become what You have created them to be.

Lord Jesus, You have come into the world that we might have eternal life. But this is not a then and there proposition, but something that begins here and now. Lead me, O Lord, in the way of truth that I may be guided by Your example, goodness, and above all, Your grace. Through You Lord, there is nothing but hope and a future. Lead me into the future You have placed before me. Amen.

“Therefore from now on we recognize no one according to the flesh; even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him in this way no longer. Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come” (2 Corinthians 5:16-17).

We are often impressed by what we see in the flesh. Do not weigh another based upon the standards of this age, but look beyond and see what the Lord is doing through the one who lives by faith. Yes, Jesus is the judge of the living and the dead, but we are to focus upon our lives of faith and not upon what this world lifts up as important. We are new creatures in Him who has redeemed us.

Lord, grant me spiritual eyes to see the more important things. I am guided by this world’s standards and the things I have experienced. Help me instead to see that in You is all hope and a future. Guide me to see things thus that I would not weigh the works of another, but encourage them to walk in the faith You have given and live into the life to which Your grace calls me.

Thank You, Jesus, for paving the way into the new life made possible by grace. Lead me today and each day farther along the trail of this new life that I may grow and be strengthened in faith. Let me see that You are walking with me always and that You will guide me in all of my ways. Open my eyes to see and my ears to hear that I would live this new life which You have given me. Amen.

“For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died; and He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf” (2 Corinthians 5:14-15).

Do you see the reality? God is not capricious, but merciful. He died once for all, that all who believe would be offered a new way to live. More than a choice one makes, it is the reality of God at work in and through those who walk with Him. Living this new life means no longer living for ourselves, but abiding in Him that He may make of us what has always been intended.

Lord, grant that I would see through all of the fleeting temptations of this age and live into the life You give through grace. You have united me with You on the cross that I may become what the Father intends. Open my eyes to see that I may believe and live into the eternal life which You promise by grace. Guide me in Your goodness to believe and trust in You above all things.

Lord Jesus, You have come to pave the way for those who believe. Guide me, O Lord, in this new life You have given me that I may walk according to the Father’s will. Lead me in Your example to see the steps You are giving me to take that I may learn faithfulness. Through all things, help me each day to understand more and more that I am united with You and through You by grace. Amen.

“We are not again commending ourselves to you but are giving you an occasion to be proud of us, so that you will have an answer for those who take pride in appearance and not in heart. For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; if we are of sound mind, it is for you” (2 Corinthians 5:12-13).

We are to be encouraged by those who are doing the work for the Lord in a public way. They are worthy of honor. The world seeks what it will from others. We are called into a partnership, understanding that everything belongs to the Lord. We should not commend ourselves to one another, but we should uplift and encourage all whom we meet to live for the Lord.

Holy Spirit, open my eyes and heart to see more clearly the reality of all that You are doing through me and those around me. Help me see that I am not under obligation, but in a partnership with those around me. Lead me in the truth You have revealed that I may be guided by You and what You know needs to be done. Help me to learn to honor those who should be honored.

Lord Jesus, You have shown us the way. You, through whom all things have their being, humbled Yourself and did not bring compulsion upon any of us. Lead me in Your example of inviting me in to be Your friend that I may befriend those around me and be an example of Your work in this world. Teach me what I need to know that I may abide in You and You in me always. Amen.

“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade men, but we are made manifest to God; and I hope that we are made manifest also in your consciences” (2 Corinthians 5:10-11).

Bottom line, you may think about what your neighbor is thinking and doing, but the only one you know anything about for sure is yourself. This is not a call to be narcissistic, but to work on the only one you can do anything about, namely yourself, and provide a witness of the truth that the Lord is in you.  Be guided by the goodness of the Lord, do your part and live in the clear conscience the Lord gives.

Lord, I know one day I shall stand before you. Guide me, O Lord, in the way of truth that I may be found having lived life seeking to obey all that You command. Help me to not live in fear (though it is appropriate to have the fear of the Lord), but in love which You have demonstrated first. Guide me, O Lord, in the way of truth and thereby allow me to be witness of Your love in me.

Lord Jesus, You are the judge of the living and the dead. You have come to pave the way, but then You will also be the One who will meet each one of us on the great and terrible day of judgment. You know the way I need to go. Lead me, Lord, and grant me a heart that willingly follows. Guide me, O Lord, in the way of truth that I may follow You all the days of my life doing what is pleasing in the Father’s eyes. Amen.