“But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed!  As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed!” (Galatians 1:8-9)

We hear in our day, “You have your truth and I have mine.”  This is an absurd statement for it indicates that truth is what you want it to be.  If that is the case, then we are our own god.  But then if I am god, why do you have your truth and I mine?  That means I am not god.  No!  There is One God and even the demons tremble.  There is One Lord and one truth and He is the truth. Accept no substitutes!

Lord, let me see through the insanity of this world’s rage against the truth.  Help me to humbly come into Your presence and live into the life to which You have called me.  Guide me to not fall into the snares of the wicked one or the illogical things that are said and bantered around.  You have revealed once for all the truth we need to know through Your death and resurrection.

Lord Jesus, You are the way, truth, and life.  No one comes to the Father except through You.  There are those who will not believe this, but that does not change what is true.  Help me, O Lord, to live the truth in all I say or do.  Guide me in Your goodness to live into the life to which You have called me that I may now and always live out the truth of the Gospel today and every day.  Amen.

“I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel; which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ” (Galatians 1:6-7).

The world is filled with many ideas and options.  Christ came to save as many as believe from the destruction of death the comes through sin.  Either Christ saves you or else you remain in your sins.  P.C., inclusiveness, happy thoughts, or any other alternative does not change the truth of the salvation which is in Christ alone.  Do not reject the only hope there is, but come into the full Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Lord, grant discernment that I would see where I am being led astray.  Help me to not chase after those words which tickle my ears, but instead help me hold fast to the unchanging truth of the Gospel revealed once for all.  Let me be gracious to others, but firm in commitment that I may never be led astray.  You have revealed the truth and have given the words of eternal life.

Lord Jesus, to whom else can we go?  There is no Savior but You and no grace but that which You have purchased for us from the cross.  Lead me along the narrow path that I would now and always hold fast to the truth You have revealed.  Let me not be led astray, nor lead others astray, but live into the truth of Your salvation which You alone have made possible for all who believe.  Amen.

Prayers of the Church, Christ the King Sunday – November 22, 2020

Let us approach the Throne of Grace, there to pray for the Church, the world, and one another.

A brief silence is kept.

Holy Father, we praise and adore you for your Son, Christ Jesus, our Beautiful Savior, the King of Creation. We thank you for his holy life, his innocent suffering and death in our place, and his glorious resurrection that bestows life, forgiveness, health, and salvation on us. Though we are your poor unworthy servants, you have made us the sisters and brothers of your beloved Son and heirs of your Kingdom. Blessing and honor, praise and adoration be yours, Holy Father, for the sake of your Son, in the power of your Spirit.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

You have made your Son King of creation and head of your holy Church. Bind that Church to Christ with cords of love; make it unswerving in faith and bold in witness to him, especially where it endures persecution for his sake; and use it to draw all people to his Cross, there to acclaim him as Lord, King, and Savior.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

You have made your persecuted Church a visible sign of the suffering of Christ himself. Grant that all who are afflicted for his sake may also, like the sun, moon, and stars, bear witness to the beauty of his holiness and the glory of his love.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

You have made your Son our Savior and Lord. Fill the people of this congregation with your Holy Spirit, so that in all we say and do, among all people we encounter, we acclaim Jesus Christ as Son of God and Son of man.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

You have made this land rich with resources, and resplendent with the virtues of freedom, justice, opportunity, and honesty. Grant that all who live here may be responsible stewards of those resources; tireless examples of those virtues; and thankful sharers of every blessing with which you have graced us.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

You have made your Son Lord of the nations. By your Holy Spirit, conform the hearts of rulers and people to the heart of Christ; and let his peace reign undisturbed in every land.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

You have made your Son our light, joy, and crown. Grant that his strong saving love might accompany those who serve our country, here and abroad. Fill them with honor, courage, and wisdom; and bring them home in safety.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

You have made your Son fairer than sunlight, stars, meadows, or woodlands. Let his beauty, healing, and compassion cause all sorrowing hearts to sing, especially: {List}. Deliver them from their afflictions, and restore them to the fellowship of all who care for them.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Gracious Father, you have made your Son to shine more brightly than all of heaven’s angels. We thank you for the lives of the faithful departed, who already see his glory face to face. Fill us with such faith and love that, in your good time, we shall join them in singing, “Glory and honor, praise, adoration, now and forever more be thine.”

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Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Hear our prayer; and graciously grant all that glorifies you and benefits our poor broken world, for the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Prayers of the Church, 24^th Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 28 – November 15, 2020

Let us approach the Throne of Grace, there to pray for the Church, the world, and one another.

A brief silence is kept.

Father, thank you for entrusting to us the treasures of your Kingdom and the gifts of your Holy Spirit.

Thank you for your confidence in us – for commending wise risk taking and condemning fearful inaction. Give us grace to be faithful stewards of your bounty, to your glory and for the good of your people.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Give your Church pastors, bishops and theologians who rightly and tirelessly proclaim your Word of Law and Gospel. Make the Church shine with the holiness and humility of Jesus, guiding many, by the light of his Cross, to seek his promised forgiveness and salvation.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Make the faithful witness of your suffering Church into a beacon of hope for all who love Christ, and into an urgent warning to all who hate him. Give to us, who can scarcely comprehend the suffering of our persecuted sisters and brothers, the willingness to defend and provide for them as we can; and to adorn their sacrifices with our smaller acts of faith and love.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Make this congregation into a “Discipleship Boot Camp,” in which we learn, strive, and grow in taking risks in your service. Help us to be daring and bold in forgiving one another; in telling others about the hope that is in us; in shining the light of Jesus’ holy love in the ugly corners of sin-darkened lives; and in easing the burdens of others for whom he gave his life.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

We pray for all who have been richly blessed with skills of mind and hand, and gifts of imagination and wise judgment. Guide them in using their gifts to your glory and for the benefit of others. We also pray for those whose talents seem meager; who are afraid to use them; or are convinced they are worthless. Give them the grace to value what you have given them, and to use all their resources to their utmost. Help all of us to risk much as we seek to please you, help our neighbor, and heal our world. Remind us that you have prepared for us joys that are infinitely greater than any treasure we lay at your feet.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Give teachable minds and willing hearts to the leaders of the nations. Remind them that they must give you an account of their stewardship of power, authority, and talents. Do not let them squander these gifts through hard hearts, rivalries, misuse, or disuse. Give to each of us the gifts of kindness, humility, and generosity, so that all our lives may be touched by happiness and brightened by hope.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Deep and solemn skills are needed by those who risk their lives to protect the lives and liberty of others. Abundantly grant them all they need, dear Lord. Use their skills to bring calm in chaos, and justice in troubled places. Shield their loved ones from fear; and bring them home safely and soon.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

We beseech you to come speedily to the rescue of all who cry out for healing of body, mind, heart or spirit – especially: {List}.  Deliver them from their afflictions, and restore them to the fellowship of all who care for them.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Keep in your sheltering arms all those who have died trusting in your promises. And as you have called us to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown, we pray: Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go, but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us, until you bring us home, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Hear our prayer; and graciously grant all that glorifies you and benefits our poor broken world, for the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Prayers of the Church, 23^rd Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 27 – November 8, 2020

Let us approach the Throne of Grace, there to pray for the Church, the world, and one another.

A brief silence is kept.

Heavenly Father, we are sometimes foolish, not wise; scatterbrained, not prudent; reactive, not responsive. Forgive our less commendable words and deeds. Remind us of the wonderful honor and high privilege of being called to your Son’s wedding feast! Give us the grace and wisdom of your Holy Spirit. Let us always rejoice; believe; and show the light of faith, hope, and love even in this dark world.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Make your Church wise, faithful, pure, and watchful, rejoicing in the near approach of her Bridegroom and Savior. Make her worship joyful and pleasing in your sight. Make her labors glorify you and help those in distress. Make her feasts a foretaste of your heavenly wedding banquet, feeding all with truth, righteousness, and salvation.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Give patience, kindness, comfort, and hope to your persecuted Church. Help us provide for their needs and bear witness to their suffering. Turn the hearts of their enemies to seek your forgiveness.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Make this congregation, and each of us, into lamps shining with your light and love. Do not let us grow weary in praising you and serving others. Fill us to overflowing with your Holy Spirit, so that we may constantly share your grace and favor with those whose lights are flickering out.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Let your justice roll down like waters upon this parched and broken world. Let your righteousness fill the hearts and minds of all who are entrusted with authority. Especially we pray for our elected and appointed leaders. Give them your Spirit of wisdom and understanding, counsel and might, so that they may bring concord, peace, prosperity, justice, and healing to our land.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

On this Veteran’s Day weekend, we pray for all who have honorably served their country. Grant wisdom, courage, integrity, and sound judgment to everyone currently serving in the military, and to all who risk their lives on behalf of community and country. Use their skills to bring freedom, safety, and justice wherever they serve. Keep them safe; shield their loved ones from grief and fear; and grant them a swift and joyful homecoming.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Let all who seek your help in their times of trial find deliverance from all that troubles them. We remember before you: {List}. Grant them health and salvation; justice and comfort; hope and guidance. When their lamp of faith seems ready to flicker and fade, rekindle them with the grace and comfort of the Holy Spirit. And give a double portion of that same Spirit to all who minister to their needs.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Heavenly Father, we grieve for our dead, but not without hope. Thank you for receiving them into your merciful care. Renew our confidence in your goodness in this time of our earthly pilgrimage. Help us to encourage and help one another along the way. Lead us, by the Cross of Jesus, into the Kingdom which you have prepared for all who have been redeemed by his suffering, death, and resurrection.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Hear our prayer; and graciously grant all that glorifies you and benefits our poor broken world, for the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Prayers of the Church, All Saints Day – November 1, 2020

Let us approach the Throne of Grace, there to pray for the Church, the world, and one another.

A brief silence is kept.

Thank you, dear Father, for all your saints. Thank you for the ones who shaped our faith and molded our lives. Thank you for the great heroes and martyrs, the scholars and confessors, who have kept your Church, by your Spirit, “one, holy, catholic, and apostolic.” Thank you for the nameless and forgotten faithful, known only to you, whose humble lives perfume the very airs of heaven. Thank you for joining us to Jesus, and thereby, to all your saints, past, present, and future.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Grant that the Church may forever proclaim your living and holy Word to the world, so that many more sinners are made your saints, your Church, and your beloved children.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Bless, as you have promised, those who are persecuted for Jesus’ sake. Crown their faithful endurance with his triumphant victory over sin and death; and adorn them with the robes of his righteousness.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Touch with your beauty and goodness the hearts of everyone in this congregation. Make our words gracious and our deeds lovely. Let the light of Jesus so shine in all our words and deeds that, when anyone sees or hears us, they get a glimpse of his great love for them.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

With reverence and affection, we remember before you those who have shaped our faith and influenced our lives in godly ways. We entrust to your tender care our beloved dead who are now at rest in you. {Here the names of the faithful departed may be read, with tolling of the bell}. Thank you for their witness, love, and encouragement. Grant that we may likewise help others – especially the young and those who do not know you – to seek your face and rejoice in your goodness.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

As many of us approach a national election, we pray for your Spirit to guide us. Give us minds able to discern the outlines of your will; hearts to seek the good of our whole country, not just our partisan desires; and spirits that are teachable, humble, repentant, and righteous. Strengthen those responsible for overseeing and tallying votes. Bring a spirit of concord and a willingness to work together, no matter who is elected, to your glory and for the good of our communities, states, and country.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Inform the minds, soften the hearts, and strengthen the wills of all who take counsel for the nations, especially our own. Teach them to use wisely and well the authority and power entrusted to them, so that all people may prosper and live peaceably with one another.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Ransom the lives of your servants who are bound by cords of suffering, sorrow, confusion, shame, doubt, or despair. Especially we pray for: {List}. Grant that they may look upon you and be radiant; that they may taste and see your gracious favor; and that they may be strengthened in body, mind, heart, and faith, to praise your saving deeds and rejoice in your great goodness.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Most holy and gracious Father, receive into your Kingdom our beloved dead. Keep us faithful and true, holy, and steadfast, as we walk the narrow Way established by your dear Son. Give us joy along that way, and help us to encourage and help one another along it. Bring us safely into that Kingdom of light, life, and love which you have vouchsafed to all whom you redeem by the sufferings of Christ. And there let us see you face to face, and experience the unspeakable joy of abiding in your love forever.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Hear our prayer; and graciously grant all that glorifies you and benefits our poor broken world, for the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

“Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for our sins so that He might rescue us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be the glory forevermore. Amen” (Galatians 1:3-5).

The will of the Father is that you would believe in Jesus whom He sent.  We sometimes forget that it is not by our own power or might that we do these things, but through the power of the One who created all things.  Come then and be guided in the goodness of the Lord.  Come then and live into the life He gives.  Come then and be faithful in an age that is evil.  Come into the will of the Father.

Lord, I have begun to understand what is needed.  You know all that is needed.  Guide me, O Lord, in the way of everlasting life that I would not be hindered in this age of evil, but grow into the likeness of Christ and become what You are making of me.  You know the path before me that I must walk by faith.  Guide me in the faith You have given me that I would walk firmly and boldly.

Lord Jesus, You have come to rescue us from this present age.  You know the pitfalls and traps that are set along the way.  You overcame them for us who could never overcome them.  Take my hand and lead the way.  Guide me according to Your goodness to see and know that in following You I am being led out of the wickedness that is the snare of this age.  May I learn from You how to be faithful.  Amen.

“Paul, an apostle (not sent from men nor through the agency of man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised Him from the dead),  and all the brethren who are with me, to the churches of Galatia” (Galatians 1:1-2)

As John said in the beginning of the Gospel he was given to write, “Not through the will of any man.”  God does what God does and He calls whom He calls.  The Lord is the One who created us and we did not create Him.  Receive the Lord and live.  Be guided by His Spirit and know the direction He will lead.  Listen to His Word and those whom He sends and understand.

Lord, You have a purpose for everything.  You have come to lead the way into the life for which we were created.  Guide me, O Lord, in this way of life that I may be conformed to Jesus as You have said will happen.  In all things, Lord, help me to listen to Your voice through whomever You send to speak it.  Guide me into the way of life that is right and good in Your eyes.

Lord Jesus, You were sent and You have sent us.  You came to do what we cannot do, but have called us to do Your will.  Help me to focus not on what I do, but upon You.  Help me to see that You are the One who will conform me to Your image.  Let nothing hinder me in this journey You have set before me that I may reflect Your light into the world.  Amen.

“All the saints greet you.  The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all” (2 Corinthians 13:13-14).

What is it we should want for others?  Is it not that they too are blessed in the truth of the Triune God?  Let us learn how to dwell together in peace and love one another as the Lord loves us.  Let us be people who, in deeds, act as those who are preparing for eternity with the One who made us.  Let us soften our hearts that they may belong to the Lord and in all we do, give Him thanks and praise.

Lord, I need to learn these things.  I need to be led in how to live life and even though I see that these things are right and good, I still need Your help to make them a part of who I am.  Guide me, O Lord, in the way of truth that I may live into the life to which You have called me.  May I learn from You how to bless others as You have blessed me.  Lead me where I need to go.

Lord Jesus, You breathe upon Your disciples and they receive Your Spirit.  You have breathed upon me and I have received Your Spirit.  Lead me that I may bless others as You have blessed me.  Guide me to press through all the circumstances in which I find myself that I may become what You intend and be whom You are making me to be.  Let Your grace go with me always.  Amen.

“Finally, brethren, rejoice, be made complete, be comforted, be like-minded, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.  Greet one another with a holy kiss” (2 Corinthians 13:11-12).

What is the Lord doing?  Do you look to the Lord and seek after Him in all things, or just in those things You want.  Let the Lord be Lord of your life that He may be the One who fills you with all good things.  In Him is life and it is His peace which surpasses all understanding.  Rest in the truth You have been given and be content in the Lord, the One who redeems you from the pit.

Lord, I do struggle and seek to have things the way I see them.  Give me eyes to see that I may learn from You and become complete even as You are complete.  Through all things that come in this life, let me not be carried away with this world, but instead be wrapped in the love You have for all people.

Lord Jesus, You have come that those who walk with You may become complete even as You and the Father are complete.  Lead me in this life and remove the hindrances that get in the way of my humble walk with You every moment of every day. Guide me, O Lord, and help me to listen.  Teach me, O Lord, and help me to learn.  Amen.