“Do not quench the Spirit; do not despise prophetic utterances.  But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; abstain from every form of evil” (1 Thessalonians 5:19-22).

Perhaps the best words for our day are the simple words, “Examine everything carefully.”  Too often we take things as we hear them and do not give it a second thought.  True, we take things on authority, but that does not mean we should not test to see if what is said is true.  Take it all in and the Holy Spirit will sift through and help you to see what is right and true.  Listen and learn.

Lord, You know how much false information is out there.  So many are saying all kinds of things and much of it is not true, or so twisted as to be the same as a lie.  Guide me, Lord, so that I may always look to You so see what is right and true.  Help me to not be caught up with what others believe without substantiation, but always take all things in first and then in You discern what is true by Your revelation.

Come, Holy Spirit, and stir my mind to not be offended at lies, for they are all around me.  Help me sift through things so that I may see what is right and fitting amongst all the lies that swirl around me.  Teach me how to examine everything carefully in order that I may know what is evil and abstain from those things.  Teach me to hold fast to all that is right and good.  Guide me now and always in truth.  Amen.

“Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonaisn 5:16-18).

Why pray if God knows everything.  Why talk with someone who knows you well.  Being social beings, we do talk and converse.  We are called to be in a relationship with God; not just to know of some figurehead in a chair far away, but in a relationship.  This means interaction.  This means looking, seeing, rejoicing, and giving thanks for all of the goodness which is yours in Him.

Lord, help me see more clearly what all of this means.  I tend to compartmentalize and not see things for what they are.  Guide me, O Lord, in order that I may know Your goodness and mercy more fully.  Help me learn how to rejoice in all things.  Lead me to be thankful for all things.  Teach me to pray without ceasing.  Grant that I may learn what being in a relationship with You means.

Lord Jesus, You are the model of the godly life and these things which Paul said are no different than the things You taught Your disciples.  Help me to learn from You and apply these things moment by moment in my everyday life.  Guide me, Lord, in the way You know I need to go and teach me to live this new life You have given me by grace.  Through You, Lord, I will become what You are making of me.  Amen.

“See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all people” (1 Thessalonians 5:15).

This world is filled with evil.  There are those who think they are doing good but are promoting evil.  Do not look to the world for any example but look to the Lord.  Do not repay evil for evil.  Seek the good always and let the Lord lead you in the doing of good.  To lead the godly life is the hope for all who follow Christ and only in Him will this be accomplished.

Lord, You know where I need to go and where the issues are that hinder my walk with You.  Lead me to see where evil is, where it is promoted, and where it is wielded like a sword.  Then open my eyes to repay in love whatever anyone does, being honest and forthright.  Teach me to seek after the good in all circumstances and to apply the precepts You are teaching me.

Lord Jesus, without You, all of this would be impossible.  Lead me, O Lord, in the way of truth.  Your Word is truth.  Lead me in the way of being equitable and fair in all circumstances.  Guide me, Lord, so that I may now and always live into the life to which You are calling me.  Help me move through all obstacles and be guided by Your Holy Spirit to walk the right path now and forever.  Amen.

November 14: 25^th Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 28

Daniel 12:1-3 (Some will be raised to everlasting life, others to shame)

Psalm 16 (You show me the path of life. In your presence there is fullness of joy)

Hebrews 10:11-25 (We have confidence to approach God, having been made clean. Let us persevere in faith)

Mark 13:1-13 (Jesus foretells destruction of Temple, persecution of his followers)

             RCL/ELW: Mark 13:1-8 (Omits persecution and testimony)

  THE PRAYERS 

Let us intercede before the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ for the sake of the Church, the world, and one another.

A brief silence

Father, we don’t want to hear about persecution, judgment, and destruction! Kindle our hearts, fortify our minds, strengthen our spirits, steel our sinews. Unite us to Jesus, so that we stand strong even in the most difficult trials. For in even those worst times, we’re called to love you – with all our heart, mind, spirit, and strength. And we’re commanded to love our neighbors as ourselves. Give us your Spirit, so we desire and can do your holy will.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Bless your Church. You have promised that, though temples made by human hands may be destroyed, your Temple of living stones shall abide forever. Purify, preserve, and provide for it through your Holy Spirit. Unite it always to your Son, its Cornerstone and Head; and make it a house of prayer for all nations.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

You foretold times of persecution for those who proclaim you as Lord and follow you as Savior. Shield, strengthen and bless all who endure such fiery trials. Help us to remember them in prayer, to stand with them in witness, and to provide tangible help for their physical needs.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Perfect the faith of this congregation, so that we are bold to approach the throne of grace with our prayers and supplications. Conform us to your mind and your likeness. Use us to bring your forgiveness, life, and salvation to those who are estranged from you.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Give us the wisdom to identify, encourage, and mentor future pastors and theologians. The world is dying for lack of the knowledge of your Lordship. You know the hearts of your people. Touch and kindle them with a passion to proclaim your Son, crucified and risen from the dead to bestow forgiveness unto eternal life, to the people who need your strong Word the most.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Bless and guide all the peoples of this world. Let them put their trust not in any earthly ruler but in your wise governance and gracious commands. Teach us how to live at peace with one another; to care for the poor and vulnerable in our midst; and to work for the common good, in accordance with your will.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

You are King of the nations and the Prince of Peace; and yet in these troubled times, good men and women must stand in harm’s way to defend life and liberty. Guide and strengthen them. Let their labors be a blessing to many. Help us to honor all who have served, especially those who have sacrificed the most on our behalf.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Your dear Son is the Resurrection and the Life. Grant healing to all who suffer, and give them a foretaste of his victory over death.  Especially we pray for: {List}. Bless all caretakers with skill, patience, and compassion. Re-establish bonds of affection and fellowship that have been unraveled by sickness or sorrow.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Holy God, we acclaim you as Lord of Life. Thank you for bestowing your eternal life upon all who died trusting in you. We ask you to guard and guide us safely through this earthly life, with all its troubles, trials, and temptations. Fill us with confidence that we can always turn to you with all our needs and cares. Raise us up on the last day, with all whom you have redeemed. Let us join the chorus of adoration and praise to you: for with your Son and the Holy Spirit, you are our joy, our delight, and our eternal inheritance.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

For Jesus’ sake, dear Father, graciously hear and generously answer our fervent petitions, to your glory and for the benefit off for whom we pray. Amen.

“We urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone” (1 Thessalonians 5:14).

An interesting thing about our current culture is if we call anyone any of these things, it might as well be considered hate speech.  It is not hateful to tell the truth.  People are in different places of maturity.  Yes, there are the unruly in the church.  What are we to do with the different types of people?  Here is the list and we are told what to do.  As with all of Scripture, we do well to do what it says.

Lord, I look at these things and then often go on as if I have never seen them.  Guide me, Lord, so that I may walk humbly in Your sight, yet firmly in the doing of what is right.  Grant that I would be bold and stand up to those who are unruly, yet also gentle to be an encouragement to the fainthearted.  In all things, grant me the patience to help the weak and the heart of one who gives grace to others.

Lord Jesus, You have come so that we may take on and live in Your image.  This is said easily, but doing it is another matter.  Lead me, O Lord, in the way of truth in order that I may do all  these things and more.  Where I err, correct me.  Where I am unruly, admonish me.  Where I am fainthearted, encourage me.  Help me in and through all things to fulfill the Father’s will in my life.  Amen.

“But we request of you, brethren, that you appreciate those who diligently labor among you, and have charge over you in the Lord and give you instruction, and that you esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Live in peace with one another” (1 Thessalonians 5:12-13).

Do you respect those who labor among you?  This world has increased in disrespect and the call of equality has gone to the point of making it a public wrong if one dares to see any difference between one person and another.  We are all different and we are to love each other as the Lord loves each one of us, but we are also to respect where respect is due.  Esteem those who work in the Lord.

Almighty Father, there are times when it is easy to respect those who hold positions of authority and times when it is not.  Our culture is so charged with sides that the anger and vitriol flows when it is someone another does not like.  Teach me how to respect all who are in authority, praying for them as I pray to You that Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.  Lead me to learn how to respect according to Your will.

Lord Jesus, You know all the problems in this world better than I, yet You give these admonitions so that I might learn how to live differently.  Guide me Lord in the way in which You would have me go.  Grant me the right attitude toward those who lead.  Help me to be respectful to all who are in authority and to esteem those who are leading Your church.  Lord, You know where I have weaknesses. Guide me to live beyond these in and through You.  Amen.

“Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing” (1 Thessalonians 5:11).

The purpose of fellowship is to build one another up.  Be an encouragement one to the other.  Help each other in the upward journey of our calling in Christ.  These are some of the reasons why we meet together.  Yes, we are doing this, but never lose focus on the important thing.  Be guided in these principles to hold the course.  The world does not, nor will it change despite what the world says to the contrary.

Lord, how easy it is to be distracted.  There is so much noise in the world and so many things proposed.  Lead me, O Lord, in the way of truth so that I may walk the upward path.  Teach me to be an encouragement to others so that they may stay on the path.  Help me to be one who follows You and encourages others to do the same, that we together would encourage each other in these things.

Lord Jesus, You gathered Your disciples and they walked with You throughout Your ministry.  You poured Yourself into them that they would learn to pour themselves into You and others.  Teach me to pour myself into others that they too would follow the course You have set before us all.  Help me to learn how to be a part of a fellowship and to be an encouragement to others as they learn and grow.  Amen.

“For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we will live together with Him” (1 Thessalonians 5:9-10).

Listen carefully.  The law is not what saves us.  Living up to the law is not possible in this age.  What then?  Only this, that we focus upon the One who saves us, knowing that He is saving us.  Live into the promise which You have been given, knowing it is true.  Be guided by the Lord and not by the continuous nonsense of this world.  Know that in the Lord there is hope, life, and freedom.

Lord, I hear these things but often live as though being perfect was the requirement.  Show me the better way which comes through the salvation You have brought into the world.  Guide me according to Your never-failing word so that I may hear what You are saying and understand Your word.  I need Your guidance and direction always, so lead me in the way You know I need to go.

Lord Jesus, without You none of this would be possible.  Only You could and can fulfil the law.  Guide me into You in order that I would rest on what You do and not upon what I do.  Lead me to learn from You so that I would be guided into the light, and always into brighter light, the light of Your countenance.  Bring comfort to me and through me so that I would let Your light so shine that others would see You in me.  Amen.

“For those who sleep do their sleeping at night, and those who get drunk get drunk at night.  But since we are of the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope of salvation” (1 Thessalonians 5:7-8).

The activities of the ungodly are inconsistent between what they say and what they do.  Reveling in the darkness, things remain hidden and what is not seen may be seen in shadows.  For those who walk in the light of Christ, we are to walk as though all can see everything we do.  We are in the light.  The distinction here is between being completely transparent and hiding what we do.

Lord, let me see this in its simplicity.  You have called for me to live as one whose actions are seen and judged as being one who follows You.  Help me Lord to live into the life You have given me in the light so that I would not leave anything hidden, nor live with a double identity as many pagans do, but would live in freedom without pretension, knowing that I am in Your hands.

Lord Jesus, You said that You did what You saw the Father doing.  You told us to live lives of prayer in order that we would be in constant communication with You.  Guide me, O Lord, so that I would humbly walk with You in and through all things.  Let me not be afraid of what the world sees but let me be consistent in living as one who is always in Your presence.  Guide me always, my Lord and Savior.  Amen.

“We are not of night nor of darkness; so then let us not sleep as others do, but let us be alert and sober” (1 Thessalonians 5b-6).

The whole idea of going along to get along is refuted here.  But this does not mean that we are to be contentious either.  What it means is that we live lives that are awake and aware.  Pay attention to what is happening around you.  Be guided by what the Lord says and do not sluff off what the world is saying when it contradicts the things of the Lord.  Be awake and be on the alert that you may not be overcome by the adversary.

Lord, first of all keep me from being indifferent, slumbering, or unmindful of the things that are happening around me.  I know that many ignore what is inconvenient.  Help me to not be one of those.  Lead me in all sobriety to be alert and awake but not contentious.  Help me to see the signs of the age and live according to all that You have spoken.  Guide me, Lord, in the way of truth.

Lord Jesus, You are the truth.  Your word is truth.  Guide me always to be aware and willing to see even when I would rather not.  You knew exactly what was happening around You and You have taught us to also be aware.  Let my hope be based upon You and not upon the circumstances of this world.  Lead me in holiness and righteousness all the days of my life that I may fulfill all that You intend.  Amen.