“Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, who have swerved from the truth, saying that the resurrection has already happened. They are upsetting the faith of some” (2 Timothy 2:17b-18).

Throughout history and in every generation are those who say this, that, and the other thing.  The wicked one wants the simple truth of the Gospel messed up so that folks don’t know what to believe and end up walking away thinking the truth is nonsense.  The Lord has told us that He is our Savior and that in and through Him we are saved.  The final day will come and then everyone will know the truth. Until then, simply trust in the word of the Lord.

Lord, let me know that, until You come again, I should live by faith.  With pride (the most devious of sins) we are convinced that we are special.  Lord, we are called to be in You.  That’s it.  Help me see through all the nonsense of this world, the tricks and twists that are presented, in order that I may understand the simplicity of the Gospel.  Guide me, Lord, in Your Word of truth now and forever.

Lord Jesus, You have given us the words of eternal life.  You have established our salvation, which is in You.  Help me look to You alone and grant that my spirit discerns quickly when another is speaking something other than the truth.  You alone are the Savior and You have come to save as many as believe.  Guide me, Lord, in Your goodness and mercy to stand firm, understanding that You have revealed the truth once for all.  Amen.

“But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness, and their talk will spread like gangrene” (2 Timothy 2:2:16-17a).

The point of using decent and reverent language is to teach us reverence.  The wicked one would have us use irreverent language to teach us irreverence.  Words themselves are powerful.  We are to love our neighbor such that we do not say things that will cause them to stumble.  We are to be guided by putting on the best possible construction.  Do not participate in the spreading of what is ungodly.

Lord, You have come that we may have a new, clean, and upright heart.  You have come that we may learn from You how to be respectful and reverent.  Lead me, O Lord, in living the way of life such that I would now and always be guided by You.  In Your grace and mercy, continue to grow in me the goodness of Your presence and purpose in my life.  Lead me according to that goodness to become like You.

Lord Jesus, You have given me the words of everlasting life.  Let me not defile them with irreverent words that will cause me to not give the best possible foot forward in proclaiming that I am Your follower.  Lead me in Your goodness to see that in You is all hope and an eternal future.  Guide me in that goodness to learn piety and practice my faith both in public and in private.  Amen.

“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).

No matter the call you have in life, this is sage advice.  Live as one who serves the Lord where your actions are approved by Him: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”  Do not do things for sordid gain, but in order to grow in the likeness of Christ, for His glory, and the good of His kingdom.  You need never be ashamed of doing things the way the Lord would have you do them.  He is good and gracious and has already given you all the grace you need.

Lord, help me to realize that if I seek to please myself or other men I will never be satisfied.  Guide me in the way of goodness and mercy such that I may seek to please You alone.  Help me understand that in You is all hope and the future You have made my heart long for.  Guide me in Your love so that I may live into the hope You give, knowing that what I do is pleasing to You.

Lord Jesus, You taught us that You did nothing that was not directed by the Father.  Help me learn from You that I too would walk in the goodness You give and the mercy which is mine such that all I do is serving the Father.  Teach me how to do these things through the grace and mercy that You give.  Guide me now and always in the wisdom of being ethical and moral in all times and places.  Amen.

“Remind them of these things, and charge them before God not to quarrel about words, which does no good, but only ruins the hearers” (2 Timothy 2:14).

How many fight over small things that, although important to some, are not the essence of what Christ establishes in grace.  Come then and do not be quarrelsome as some are.  You win some, you lose some.  Only the Lord is always right.  Those who believe in Him are saved.  Trust the Lord and let the rest fall behind.  Do not be ruined, nor ruin your hearers, but walk in the light.

Lord, You know those things that do no good.  Help me, Lord, to live into the life of faith You have given me.  Guide me in Your goodness so that I would not bog down with less important things but live each day in the fullness of Your grace.  Help me to remember these things as I walk through the day.  Guide me in Your goodness and mercy always.

Lord Jesus, You know how difficult it is to navigate in this wicked age.  There are many who lay traps and play word games.  Help me to be humble but alert and neither fall for the traps, nor lay them myself.  Teach me, Lord, to be gracious as You are gracious.  Teach me to see the traps of the modern scribes and pharisees.  Guide me to learn from You what it means to be always faithful.  Amen.

THE PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH

March 6, 2022: 1^st Sunday in Lent

Deuteronomy 26:1-11 (creedal confession when giving first fruit)

Psalm 91:1-13(God will shield his Righteous One; angels will bear him up)

Romans 10:8b-13 (all who believe and confess that Jesus is Lord shall be saved)

Luke 4:1-13 (Jesus tempted by Satan)

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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, we sometimes forget that when Jesus was tempted by Satan, it was a real battle. We forget that he didn’t “cash in” on his divinity. We think it was easy for him, as if that excuses us when we give in to temptation. Have mercy on us. Give us faith, courage, and endurance. Set your word in our hearts and on our lips, so even in times of trial, we confess and bless our Savior.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

We pray for the Church throughout the world. Lord, purify, heal, unite, and guide it. Through it, lead many to the foot of Jesus’ life-giving Cross.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

We pray for all who are persecuted on account of Jesus.  Lord, strengthen them in their trials by your strong Word. We also pray for seminarians and pastors, evangelists and missionaries, discipleship partners and spiritual guides. Let that same Word dwell in their hearts and be confessed by their lips.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

We pray for this congregation. Lord, keep us steadfast in faith, humble in service, diligent in worship, persistent in prayer, and loving in fellowship.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

We pray for our children. Lord, set your angels around them. Shield them from evil, deliver them from danger, and guide them in the way of eternal life.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

We pray for our broken world.  Lord, heal and transform it.  We pray for our leaders. Lord, grant them wisdom, justice, and compassion. We pray for all people. Lord, deliver us from evil, strengthen us in every good gift, and bestow your peace among us all.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

We pray for all whose work is difficult and dangerous. Lord, give them cool heads, wise words, and right actions. Shield, support and strengthen those who fall, and those who await their loved one’s return.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

We pray for the sick and injured; the abused and their abusers; the despairing and the confused; the homeless, imprisoned, abandoned, and oppressed; the dying and the bereaved, and for all who cry out for mercy, including: {List}.  Lord, save them from their time of trial, deliver them from evil, and bestow upon them the riches of your Kingdom.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

With grateful hearts, we entrust our beloved dead into your keeping, dear Lord. Hear us now as we pray for ourselves: Throughout the Lenten pilgrimage of our lives, be the bread for our journey. Forgive us, and make us eager to forgive each other. Strengthen us in times of trial. Deliver us from the power of the Evil One.  Bring us safely into your house, prepared for all who love you.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Hear us, gracious Father, for the sake of your well-beloved Son, who intercedes for us before your throne of mercy.

Amen.

“If we have died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us; if we are faithless, he remains faithful – for he cannot deny himself” (2 Timothy 2:11b-13).

Look carefully at what is being said.  It is all about relationship.  The Lord is calling us into Himself and we have great needs that only He can fulfill.  Walk then with the Lord and discover how good and gracious He is.  He will give us His faithfulness and teach us how to be like Him.  In Him is all life and through Him, He gives us that life.  Come then and rejoice as you walk with the Lord.

Lord, You know where I am, where I need to be, and where I do not endure and do not have faith.  Guide me, Lord, such that I would humbly walk with You always as You take away those things which are in the way.  Lead me, Lord, in faith and life and help me to always look to You as the One who will provide for all that needs to be done.  May I walk boldly in the truth of Your presence in my life.

Lord Jesus, help me so that no matter the circumstances, I would never deny You.  Guide me in the goodness of Your name and the power of the grace You have given me.  Through all things, lead me to not deny what You have shared with me, nor be unfaithful to the call You have given me.  Guide me this day and every day as I walk with You, dear Lord, in the truth of the salvation You have given me.  Amen.

“Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.  The saying is trustworthy” (2 Timothy 2:10-11a)

Endure for the sake of your brothers and sisters who have also been called in the grace of Christ.  Know that in Him there is hope and an eternal future.  The Lord has called you according to His purpose and in Him You will find all goodness and mercy.  The Lord is trustworthy and He will bring you to be with Him that where He is you may also be.  You have the promise; now live in the hope.

Lord, You have promised eternal life for those who believe.  Guide me, dear Lord, in the way of everlasting life.  Teach me all that I need to know.  In Your goodness, lead me to witness in my life the truth of the Gospel which You have given me.  Guide me to know that in You is all hope and an eternal future.  Through Your grace I can do all things as You strengthen me.

Lord Jesus, You have come so that all who believe might have new life and have it abundantly.  Lead me in the way of everlasting life in order that I would now and forever be guided by You and strengthened in the way You have established once for all.  Teach me the way I need to go, Lord, and then give me the strength to accomplish all that You have given me to do.  In You I see the abundance of life.  Lead me to incorporate the fruits of the Spirit into the life before me.  Amen.

“Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel, for which I am suffering, bound with chains as a criminal. But the word of God is not bound!”  (2 Timothy 2:8-9)

What we are doing here is not just some narrative of a storyteller.  If that were so, then why bother.  The message of the Gospel is the Good News of God given once for all.  Do not be deceived, nor let what God has given you be taken from you.  Live the life He has given you and walk in His way of faith hope and love.  What adversity comes our way will come.  Jesus told us that we will suffer for the Gospel.  But the Word of God will never be overcome, so live into the life which comes through the Word made flesh.

Dear Lord, You know how hard it is to live in this world.  There are so many obstacles that get in the way of our sanctification.  Lead me, Lord, according to Your goodness in order that I may humbly walk in the truth of Your Word.  Guide me, Lord, to persevere with suffering if that is required.  Let me never forget the hope You give, that because Christ lives, I too shall live.  Guide me in the fulness of the truth You have revealed and help me stand firm in faith.

Lord Jesus, because You died on the cross for us and were resurrected, help me know that the hope within me that You have given is blessed assurance of salvation.  Paul said that he would know one thing and that is You, and You crucified.  That and the truth that You have risen from the dead.  O Lord, the mystery is great, but the truth is before me, and You have placed it in me.  Help me live into that truth so that now and forever I would humbly walk with You.  Amen.

“Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything” (2 Timothy 2:7).

We know that Mary pondered things in her heart.  Take this as instruction by example.  Scripture should be “inwardly digested”.  The Holy Spirit will bring to mind then those things you need to know.  Let Him guide you to fill your mind with Christ so that you will have what is needed as guidance.  His grace will grow in you what is necessary to become like Christ.

Lord, You know what the road ahead will bring.  Guide me to take in all that is needed that I may grow in faith.  Bring to remembrance those things that I need to ponder.  Guide me in all goodness so that I may now and always be led by Your Spirit, seeing through the wiles of the wicked one.  Grant that I gain understanding of these things and wisdom to practice them as I walk with You in the way of salvation.

Lord Jesus, You are the One who makes salvation possible.  By Your grace, help me to ponder the rights and wrongs I encounter.  Guide me in Your goodness to see through the wickedness of this age and to make choices that are good and right.  Lead me, O Lord, to humbly walk with You.  Teach me and help me to have a willing spirit to learn all things necessary.  Amen.

“An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.  It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops” (2 Timothy 2:5-9).

Somehow or other the wicked one has convinced our culture that we all deserve whatever it is we think we deserve.  Yes, we have grace upon grace from Jesus, but this frees us to co-operate with the Holy Spirit in becoming like Christ.  Our salvation is assured, but we are not just toy soldiers who take what God is giving.  We are thinking beings who need to learn to love as we were first loved.   This is the work of sanctification.

Lord, You have laid out the ground rules.  The Ten Commandments have not changed and I still need to obey them.  Plus, I need to learn better how to love You and my neighbor.  There is plenty of work for me to do, Lord, so help me run the race of faith.  Keep me on the straight and narrow way and protect me from the lies of the wicked one so that I may win the prize of eternal life.

Lord Jesus, You have done all of the heavy lifting, but I must do my part.  Help me now and always to do what You give me to do.  Let me not think that others can do for me what You have given me to do.  Guide me, Lord, in the way of everlasting life.  Coach me in how to run the race and finish the course so that I may receive the crown of salvation.  And help me, Jesus, to keep the rules of the race so that I not disqualified.  Amen.