“We are of good courage, I say, and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord. Therefore we also have as our ambition, whether at home or absent, to be pleasing to Him” (2 Corinthians 5:8-9).

What is your ambition? Is it to find all the comfort you can in this world or to embark on the journey the Lord has placed before you in faith? Yes, you can find some comfort in this age, but it is fleeting and in the end, it will all be left behind. Why not seek the greater treasure of living in the presence of the Eternal One who will be with you forever. Come into His presence and find true treasure.

Lord, I am conflicted in this age. I want to be comfortable and live a good life. Yet, my mind knows that this is temporary. Lead me, O Lord, in the better way of being thankful for what comforts I have, but also never losing sight of the upward call You have given me by grace through faith. Help me to see through the temptations of this age to pursue what is right in Your sight.

Holy Spirit, come sift my heart and then instruct me how to walk the better path. Guide me according to Your goodness that I may seek to be conformed to the image of Christ. Lead me where You will and give me a gracious heart to receive with thankfulness all that You give. You know what I need even before I ask. You know all that is needed to take me from where I am to where I will be. Amen.  

“Therefore, being always of good courage, and knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:6-7)

We physical beings cling to that which we know. Yet our spirit is alive, but dim in awareness. Leave behind you the merely physical, knowing it has good purpose, but pursue the awakening the Lord has made possible through grace. Yes, you need to do all you can, knowing the Lord is making it happen. It is a relationship with the Lord that is awakening in you that You may walk with Him forever.

Lord, in the mystery of this life, I cling to what I know. I am often afraid of those new places, most especially the ones You call for me to step out and trust You. Help me, Lord, to move beyond where I am that I may learn to walk by faith, growing and learning as You alone know I need. Guide me through this faith You have given me that I may grow to be like You.

Lord Jesus, You have come as the model of the godly life. We are to be conformed to Your image. That seems a daunting task, yet it is what we are called to do in faith. Lead me, O Lord, to see that only in following You am I able to become what You are creating. Guide me to learn how to trust and follow more and more that I would indeed become like You according to Your grace. Amen.

Prayers of the Church, 11^th Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 15 – August 16, 2020

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

A brief silence is kept.

Dear Father, we are so slow to see others as your beloved children! Thank you for all the Syrophoenician women, men, and children in our world. Soften our hearts to lead people different from ourselves into Jesus’ presence. Help us to discover that in his embrace, we truly become sisters and brothers to him, and to each other.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Fashion your Church into your holy house of prayer upon the earth. By your Holy Spirit, show it how to rightly welcome all people into its midst.  Through your Word and holy Sacraments, draw many close to your beloved Son: to hear, to pray for, and to receive his promised mercy, forgiveness, healing and salvation.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

There are many who refuse your mercy, reject your Son, and persecute your servants. Forgive them and soften their hearts. Strengthen Christians who suffer because of Jesus, to speak, act, and pray with humility, boldness, graciousness, and steadfast endurance.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Make this congregation a true house of prayer. Fashion us into people of prayer. Transform our ministries into expressions of prayer, offered to you on behalf of the world and our neighbors.  Help us to welcome them with humility and compassion, and make us willing to walk with them along your sometimes-hard road of repentance, forgiveness, obedience and service.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

O God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, we pray for our elder brothers and sisters in the faith, your people Israel. Grant to the Jews lively faith in you, fervent love for others, and joyful obedience to your holy Law. Let us, together with them, see the consummation of your promised mercy, which was entrusted to Abraham, and was ratified in the death and resurrection of his offspring and yours, Jesus of Nazareth.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Forgive and heal the shameful divisions and warfare that make impossible even the most basic hospitality, justice, or safety for too many of your people. Teach our rulers to seek the health, safety and prospering of everyone entrusted into their care. Increase concord, cooperation, and kindness between those of different backgrounds or beliefs. And teach everyone upon this sad and sin-shadowed earth to look beyond those things which divide, and to cling to your holy and merciful will to heal, redeem and save all who will receive you.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Lord, as schools approach opening day in a world clouded by pandemic and upheaval, we pray for students and teachers, parents and aides. Keep them safe, and help them flourish. Bless our seminaries and Christian colleges and schools with faithfulness to Jesus and love of neighbor, of wisdom, and of virtue.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

In healing a Gentile woman’s daughter, Jesus showed that your mercy and salvation are for any who call upon your name. And so, we are bold to pray for all who are distressed by afflictions to body, mind, or spirit – especially: {List}. Be gracious to them, and bless them; and show them the light of your countenance. Draw them, and all who care for them, ever closer to your Son; and bestow upon them the joy of your saving help.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Thank you, dear Father, your fullest healing has been granted to all who died trusting in your promised mercy; and so we commend them into your care – especially those near and dear to us. Keep us united with them by our common faith in your Son. Keep us united with our fellow pilgrims by our Spirit-led love for one another. Grant us, with everyone redeemed by the merits of Jesus, the unmatched joy of life in your house – not as pet dogs under the table; nor as strangers or as guests; but as your children, at home with you forever.

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.

Prayers of the Church, 10^th Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 14 – August 9, 2020

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

A brief silence is kept.

Holy Father, we bow in adoration before your majesty. We stand in awe of your wisdom, power, and goodness. And we thank you for your strong saving love, made real for us in your dear Son. Send us your Spirit, so we boldly obey his commands and humbly crave his mercy.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Send your Church into every corner of the world to preach the Gospel of salvation through Christ alone. By your Spirit, give it humility, faith, and courage to proclaim your holy Word with faithful clarity and winsome charity.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Give such endurance and faith to all who are persecuted for being Christians, that even their tormentors might repent, call upon your name, and be saved.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Protect this congregation from storms of contention, controversy, and confusion. Shelter us in your arms, and help us trust your guidance. Help us to say in word and deed, “I love you, O Lord my strength, O Lord my stronghold, my crag, and my haven. My God, my rock in whom I put my trust, my shield, the horn of my salvation, and my refuge; you are worthy of praise!”

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

We pray for everyone who is overwhelmed by winds and waves of adversity, grief, and suffering. We know they sometimes feel abandoned by others – and even by you. Give us grace to encourage, strengthen, and aid them. Help us to take their hand and walk with them, even across their stormy seas, towards the nail-scarred hands of Jesus, who alone can lift them up and save them.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Shield us from natural disasters and manmade catastrophes. Storms, floods, tornadoes, droughts, and earthquakes threaten many lives; and human malice and stupidity destroy many more. Come down, O Lord, on the wings of wind; scatter our enemies and deliver us from our anguish! Speak your word of peace upon the troubled earth and every human heart; and reign undisturbed as King and Lord of all.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Clothe with righteousness and wisdom all your servants who risk their lives in defense of life and liberty. Be their stronghold, shield, and refuge. Make them models of justice, integrity, and service.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Lord, many people can say with the Psalmist, “The breakers of death rolled over me, and the torrents of oblivion made me afraid.” We lift them before you – especially: {List}. Save them from every affliction that threatens to undo them. Lead them to a place of safety and shelter, healing, and hope. And bless everyone who is entrusted with caring for them in any way.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Thank you, dear Father, for your servants who now rest from their earthly labors – especially those whose death touches us most closely. Give to us, who still sail life’s stormy seas, faith to call upon you in confidence and hope. Give us love to encourage and help our neighbor in distress. And give us hope, that clinging to your Son for dear life, we come safely into your embrace. Grant that we, with all whom you have redeemed, may sing with joy and worship you forever.

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.

“For indeed while we are in this tent, we groan, being burdened, because we do not want to be unclothed but to be clothed, so that what is mortal will be swallowed up by life. Now He who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave to us the Spirit as a pledge” (2 Corinthians 5:4-5).

Even the unbeliever wants more life to live. We long for that which God has placed in our hearts. Lead me, O Lord, in this upper way knowing that in You and only by Your power can I come to the place where You dwell. You have given the pledge that our faith is not in vain. Guide me, Lord, in the way of life that I may walk with You now and forever.

The Lord knows all that is needed and is more than able to make all things work together for good according to His purpose. We are not challenged with understanding all of these things, but with following Him no matter where He leads. Come then into the promise of the Lord and live trusting Him in, through, and above all things. He will accomplish all that He has promised.

Come, Holy Spirit, and place in me the likeness of Christ. Keep my eyes upon You, for You will lead me through each day that comes. Help me to not focus upon this world’s difficulties, but upon the everlasting life for which You are preparing me. Help me to rise above all of those things which pull me down, and help me to be in this world doing what You would have me do. Amen.

“For we know that if the earthly tent which is our house is torn down, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For indeed in this house we groan, longing to be clothed with our dwelling from heaven, inasmuch as we, having put it on, will not be found naked” (2 Corinthians 5:1-2).

If this life were limited to just who we are in the flesh and the experiences we have upon this earth, there would be nothing to hope for. But our life here is temporary and we were created to be with the Lord forever. What kind of people ought we to be knowing this? Put on the life of Christ, for this is the life to which we have been called, and that leads to eternal life.

Lord, I often live as if what I do day to day does not matter. I know that Your grace is sufficient, but this is not in order to live a carefree life here and now. Guide me into the true life You give by grace that I may put on the true life You give. Lead me in the upward way of living into the new life You give that I may now and always abide humbly in You and You in me.

Lord Jesus, You have come to make the way possible, living into a new life that comes only through You. Guide me, O Lord, that I may always abide in what You have said and not be content with this world, or the way it does things. Teach me today and every day how to live into the new life You have placed upon me. Guide me by Your Spirit to always seek for that deeper experience You set before me. Amen.

“For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:17-18).

The corruptible self, which is doomed because of sin, is lifted with Christ to become an immortal child of God. What is the price? It was paid for by Christ. We have our part and it is, by comparison, small.  What should we say when what we receive through grace is so much more than what we can imagine? The only thing to do is to endure the difficulties of this world with thanksgiving for the immutable glory the Lord is giving.

Lord, I often think in terms of the moment. Help me to see beyond this moment and never lose track of the reality of what You are doing. Guide me, O Lord, in the way of truth that I may now and always abide in You as You prepare me for eternity. Help me through those times when I do not see to keep my eyes upon You. Lead me as You know I need to be led to stay on this path upon which You have set me.

Lord Jesus, You know how difficult this world is. You know what it is to navigate through all of the forces of darkness that come against us. Lead me, O Lord, in the way of truth that I may not fall aside, but walk faithfully with You. No matter what comes, guide me in the upward path You have placed before me that I may be with You now and forever. In You is all hope to complete the journey of faith You make possible. Amen.

“For all things are for your sakes, so that the grace which is spreading to more and more people may cause the giving of thanks to abound to the glory of God. Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day” (2 Corinthians 4:15-16).

What has the Lord come to do? We often think in terms of cleaning up what has gone wrong, but does not the Lord put into us a new life? Yes, it is this new life that is imparted which kills the old Adam and puts in the likeness of Christ. All of this is the reason there is grace and grace is the means by which the Lord does this. In the mystery of the faith, Christ is raising the dead to be alive in Him.

Lord, what great mystery there is in what You are doing, yet I know You are doing it. Help me to not focus upon what I do not know, but upon the truth that You are in me and Your salvation is at work. Guide me ever deeper into this new life that I may abide in You and You in me. Help me to trust You more and more each day knowing that You are Lord and all of this is Your plan.

Lord Jesus, You have come to lead the way for all who believe. Guide me, O Lord, in the way of truth that I may learn from You this day. Help me to not focus upon what I think, feel, or understand, but look to You who alone is able to save. Through all things I encounter this day, lead me as You know I need to be led and help me to learn to trust in Your amazing grace. Amen.

“But having the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, “I believed, therefore I spoke,” we also believe, therefore we also speak, knowing that He who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and will present us with you” (2 Corinthians 4:13-14).

Faith is the action of that in which you believe. Do you believe that Christ was raised from the dead? If Christ was raised, and you are united with Christ, then know that He who raise Christ will also raise you on the last day. We are called into the communion of saints which includes all who are in Christ; from every tribe, tongue, nation, and time. Speak boldly of the One Lord who is Lord of all.

We often doubt what we believe. Life’s circumstances hit us hard and we do not know what to do. Trust in the One who has lifted you up and into His salvation by His grace. Be bold in the faith He has given you. Know that in Him is all life and the true liberty of living as He has created you to live. Speak of this great gift He gives knowing that on the last day He will raise You to be with Him forever.

Lord Jesus, You know the difficulties of this age. The body and mind are constantly struggling one against the other. Take what resolve I do have and add to it what You know I need that I may stand firm in the truth You have delivered once for all. Guide me in the way of truth that I may hold fast to this gift of faith and speak to others of the life You give by grace. Amen.

“For we who live are constantly being delivered over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So death works in us, but life in you” (2 Corinthians 4:11-12).

We each have our struggles and they will continue throughout this life. It is devilish to think that a life without problems is possible; though some live with this thought. Know that whenever sin enters your mind, the Lord will deal with it. Know that you are hated by the wicked one and he will do all he can to bring you to reject the Lord. Life is in you because the Lord has already accomplished salvation for all who believe.

Lord, grant that although I sometimes become discouraged, I would see that You are always present and are working through all circumstances to fulfil Your perfect will. Guide me into the life You have given that in spite of all things I would live in the eternal hope which is mine in and through You. Through all this life brings, guide me on the upward path of true life and eternal liberty.

Lord Jesus, while walking upon this earth You were constantly harassed by unbelief and those who railed against You. Lead me to walk with You that alongside You I may know the glories of a life that is certain and sure amidst the trials and tribulations that may come. Help me, O Lord, to walk boldly in the way of life and live according to all that You have taught us. Amen.