“I was with you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling, and my
message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in
demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith would not rest on
the wisdom of men, but on the power of God.” 
(1 Corinthians 2:3-5)

Clever men speak clever things
to woo people into thinking all kinds of things.  How is it than in human history men can be
convinced to do the wicked things that have been done?  The Lord did not come with some clever
scheme, but has revealed the simple truth that we are all sinners who need to
be saved from sin, death, and the devil. 
So come and walk in the way of the Lord and live.

Lord, help me to not be carried away with the insanity of this
age.  Guide me in the way of truth that I
would humbly walk with You now and always. 
Let me neither speak in clever terms, nor be carried away by them, but
always listen to Your Word of truth. 
Guide me, O Lord, that I may listen, hear and obey all that You speak to
me.  Let it be Your power and wisdom that
guide me.

Lord Jesus, You came speaking
truth.  The clever of this age did not
like what You spoke, but You said it anyway. 
Help me to hear Your Word of truth and follow wherever You lead.  Guide me according to Your word to do what is
pleasing in the Father’s sight.  Now and
always, may I abide in You, all that You teach, and follow You all the days of
my life in the way, truth, and life that You have established.  Amen.

“And when I came to you, brethren, I did not come with superiority of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God.  For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.”  (1 Corinthians 2:1-2)

Let the truth of this idea
settle in your mind.  We can often be
carried away in pride with an attitude of superiority.  We are called in the One Lord into the one
faith.  We are called to follow
Jesus.  Each of us are where we are and
are given gifts according to His grace. 
It is a matter of letting the world know that salvation has come
personally to all that they might believe and be saved.

Lord, teach me the simplicity of salvation.  Although I may be curious and desire any
number of things, let me never forget the simple truth that You are the One who
saves.  Guide me according to Your
purposes to live into the life to which You have called me that I might live in
You and You in me.  Lead me according to
Your grace to do that which is pleasing in Your sight.

Lord Jesus, You lead the way for
all who follow.  Guide me according to
Your goodness to live into the life of faith for which You have called me.  Guide me by the Holy Spirit to humbly come,
walk, and do those things which You give me to do.  May I now and always abide in the truth of
the revelation You have given knowing that in You alone is the hope for all
people.  Amen.

“But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from
God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, so that, just as it
is written, “Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord.”  (1 Corinthians 1:30-31)

It is not what you or I do, but
what the Lord has done that makes all of this possible.  See this clearly.  All our actions in faith are a response to
what He has done first.  We are saved by
grace, therefor all of what we do is a part of the salvation journey.  We do not do to earn, but to respond to the
love which He has first given us.  The
only boast we have is in the Lord.  Boast
then in Him.

Lord, I have heard so many conflicting things and have even thought in
terms of receiving Your wrath when I sin forgetting that You have done what
needs to be done that I would continue walking with You.  Guide me O Lord in the way of truth that I
would humbly walk with You knowing that I am completely dependant upon You for
all I need, Guide me in Your salvation.

Lord Jesus, God in the flesh, You
have come to lead the way for those who believe.  Help me to not make more, nor less of the
truth of salvation than what You have revealed. 
Guide me according to what You have revealed to walk humbly with You in
and through all things.  Lead me to do
what is right in Your sight that I would do what is pleasing in the Father’s
eyes.  Amen.

THE PRAYERS,

Advent 4, Cycle A (December 22, 2019)

As we await the coming of Christ in mercy and majesty, let us pray for the Church, the world, and for all people according to their need.

A brief silence

O come, Emmanuel, our Lord and God, our King and Brother! Come with healing and blessing, with light and life. Come and save us all from sin and evil and endless death.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

O Wisdom, proceeding from the mouth of the Most High, fill the Church with your Spirit. Sustain and order its worship, proclamation, and works of charity, according to your most holy will. Come, and teach us prudence.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

O Adonai, ruler of the House of Israel, rule also in the hearts, lives and ministries of your people in this congregation. Give us your Word and show us your glory. Look with favor upon all who seek to be your disciples in this place. Come with your outstretched arm to redeem us.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

O Emmanuel, the ransom of your people Israel: deliver also your persecuted Church from captivity and torment. Keep it patient, faithful and steadfast. Help us to honor their witness and provide for their needs; and turn their tormentors from their evil ways. Come; and teach them courage.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

O Bright and Morning Star, you gladden the hearts of those who sit in darkness. Shine upon all who are overwhelmed by despair, confusion, hatred, or unbelief. Come; and lead them into the brightness of your holy love.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

O King of the nations, the ruler they long for, unite all people under your glorious and gentle reign. Teach us those things that make for peace. Come and save us all, whom you formed out of clay.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

O Root of Jesse, you stand as an ensign before the peoples. Guard and guide all who stand in harm’s way in defense of justice and freedom. Come quickly, and deliver them.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

O Key of David, you open what no one can close; you close what no one can open. Free all who suffer and are imprisoned by the powers of sin, evil, and death: especially {List}. Come, and close the path to misery.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

O Dayspring, splendor of life everlasting, keep safe in your mighty arms all those who died trusting in your promises. Come and enlighten us, who still sit in the shadow of death, and open wide our heavenly home.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

All these things, and whatever else you see that we need, grant to us, dear Father, for the sake of your Son, our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

THE PRAYERS,

Advent 3, Cycle A (December 15, 2019)

As we await the coming of Christ in mercy and majesty, let us pray for the Church, the world, and for all people according to their need.

A brief silence

How sweet the words we hear this day, dear Lord! Thank you for refreshment along our life’s often-dusty road. Thank you for hope that dawns unexpectedly in our heart’s wilderness. Thank you for Jesus, your sweetest Word of forgiveness, compassion, and life.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Grant that, in Word and Sacrament, in service and in fellowship, your Church may constantly preach the Good News of what Jesus has done: “the blind receive their sight and the lame walk; lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up; and the poor have good news preached to them.”

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Establish this congregation, O Lord, in words and deeds of patience, mercy, and gentleness. Give us grace to refresh the heavy-hearted, and to bring healing to those wounded by sin and temptation. Help us bring light and wisdom to the innocent and the ignorant. Make this place a haven of safety and joy for all who trust in you.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Bless your persecuted Church, and keep it patient, faithful and steadfast. Teach us to honor their witness and provide for their needs; and turn their tormentors from their evil ways.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Deepen the faith and increase the wisdom of your apprentices and journeyman in the art of discipleship. Grant that all they learn from you may be a source of joy and enlightenment to everyone around them.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Conform the hearts and minds of our earthly rulers to your holy will. Let them give justice to the oppressed, and food to the hungry. Make them set free the unjustly imprisoned, and lift up those who are bowed down.  Teach them to love the righteous; care for the stranger; sustain the orphan and widow, and frustrate the way of the wicked. Use the valor and competence of our military and first responders to accomplish your will in dangerous places; and speed the day when everyone may walk in safety, peace and joy throughout this world.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

We remember before you all for whom this season of light is shadowed by sorrow or suffering, especially: {List}. Help us to bring them your mercy, comfort and kindness; to speak words of forgiveness and encouragement; and to accompany them in their wilderness, in the sure hope that you will bring us all into your everlasting joy.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Happy are those who, in this life, put their trust in you, dear Lord. Their hope has been fulfilled. Comfort all the bereaved whose grief runs deep. And we pray: Save us from folly and defend us from evil. Strengthen our faltering hands and make firm our feeble knees. Establish our hearts in steadfast patience and the spirit of encouragement. Lead us into Zion, where, with all the redeemed, we shall praise your glory; delight in your love; and see you face to face.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

All these things, and whatever else you see that we need, grant to us, dear Father, for the sake of your Son, our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

“And the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the
things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are, so that no man
may boast before God.”  (1 Corinthians
1:28-29)

There are great mysteries.  No these are not things that we cannot
explain, but things we can only begin to grasp. 
How does the temporal comprehend the immortal?  No one has a right to boast before God who is
immortal, eternal and all wise.  Do not
depend upon your wisdom, but the wisdom of the One who knows all things.  Be comforted by His comfort and live into the
life to which You have been called.

Lord, grant that I would shed this rebellious need to cling to my own
understanding in order to come into the truth You have revealed.  You are the God of all ages.  Lead me in the truth of Your revelation that
I would now and forever abide in You and You in me.  Lead me according to Your goodness that I may
live in the wisdom You give, shedding the temporary ideas of this world.

Lord Jesus, You have come to lead
the way.  Holy Spirit, the breath of
wisdom itself, lead me in the way of truth that I would cling to the salvation
which has been given and learn all the things You will teach.  Guide me now and always in the way of
truth.  Lead me according to the Father’s
purposes that I would forever abide with You, in You and for Your glory.  Guide me in Your wisdom.  Amen.

“For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise
according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble; but God has chosen the
foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak
things of the world to shame the things which are strong,” (1 Corinthians
1:26-27)

You have been called by God to
come into His presence and dwell with Him. 
The calling is by grace, for no one has earned the right to stand before
the Lord.  The world thinks in terms of
merit, but grace is a gift God gives. 
The Lord knows this world is in rebellion and has answered that
rebellion with an invitation that calls you by grace to come dwell with Him
forever.

Lord, the world does resist Your offer of grace.  They do call it foolish, but You have shown that
You chose to do this to exhibit Your superior wisdom.  Help me to move beyond such things that I may
now and always look to You for strength and wisdom.  Let me not be hindered by the names the world
gives to Your faithful ones, but trust in Your Word alone which abides
forever.  Lead me ever deeper into Your
wisdom.

Lord Jesus, You have come to lead
the way.  You demonstrated humility,
meekness, and kindness to us all.  Help
me to follow Your example and be bold in this faith You have given me.  Guide me according to the Father’s will that
I may humbly walk with You.  No matter
what those around me say, help me to live into the hope You give in the promise
of grace and mercy.  Amen.

“Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of
God is stronger than men.”  (1
Corinthians 1:25)

This simple principle is one of
the most profound truths that helps us navigate around all of the errors that
are in the world.  The wisdom of this
world cannot compare to the Maker of this world.  The weakness of God is also stronger than any
man.  Why settle for less when the Lord
offers life in Him?  Come to the One who
made all wisdom and has all strength and learn from Him what life is to be
like.

Lord, You offer wisdom through Your Word by the power of the Holy
Spirit.  In the greatest demonstration of
strength in weakness on the cross, You conquered death, the recompense of
sin.  Guide me, O Lord, in the way of
truth that I may now and always abide with You wherever that may lead.  Guide me according to Your goodness to look
at You and live in the truth You have revealed for all ages.

Lord Jesus, You did not resist
those who mistreated You, but died for them as well on the cross.  The world calls this foolish, but You have
used what the world calls foolishness to make our salvation possible.  Guide me now and always to see that in You
alone is the hope for every age, that I may live into the promises You give to
those who are faithful.  Lead me now and
always, O Lord.  Amen.

“For indeed Jews ask for signs and Greeks search for wisdom; but we
preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness,
but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God
and the wisdom of God.”  (1 Corinthians
1:22-24)

These ideas still circulate
today.  There are those who await
miraculous things, those who think they can figure things out and those who
follow the Lord of all: different times, but the same pursuits.  Be led by the promise of the One who is
forever and see that there is nothing new under the sun.  Christ is the power of God and in Him alone
will you find true wisdom.  Follow the
Lord.

Lord, teach me to open myself to Your Word and all that You give.  Guide me according to Your goodness to see
that in You alone is the hope of every age. 
Lead me according to Your goodness to walk in Your grace and seek the
wisdom You give.  Help me now and always
to turn to You first and neither seek this world’s wisdom or its signs and
wonders.  Lead me according to Your
purpose.

Lord Jesus, You performed many signs and wonders and yet many did not believe.  Guide me, O Lord, in Your goodness that I would be one who believes despite neither signs nor wonders.  Lead me into the eternal truth You have revealed once for all and the salvation You have prepared through the cross.  Let me not be worried what the world calls me otherwise than  Your follower.  Amen.

“Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of
this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?  For since in the wisdom of God the world
through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was well-pleased through the
foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.”  (1 Corinthians 1:20-21)

Listen to the noise in our age.  “Go here, do this or that, believe what you
want.”  It is noise that may bring
momentary pleasure, but accomplishes nothing. 
Be guided by the truth revealed once for all through Christ, who alone
is the Savior.  Be a fool for Christ, for
what difference will it make what others think when You stand before the One
through whom all things have their being.

Lord, help me unlearn the foolishness of this age to which I cling and
replace it with the eternal truth You have revealed.  Guide me according to Your goodness to see
that in You alone is the hope of every age. 
Lead me in the way of everlasting life that I may now and always abide
in You as You abide in me.  Teach me to be
bold in faith that I may share with others what You have shared with me.

Lord Jesus, You said, “Come,
follow me.”  Help me this day to follow
You wherever You lead.  Guide me in the
Holy Spirit to speak what You give me to speak. 
Help me always to be willing to appear foolish in this age that the
truth of the cross may always be proclaimed by me.  Let me stand with You always that I may stand
in the presence of the Father.  Grant me wisdom
to walk in the narrow way this day. 
Amen.