“How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God!  How great is the sum of them!  If I should count them, they would be more in
number than the sand; when I awake, I am still with You.”  (Psalm 139:17-78)

Upon what do you meditate?  Many in the world think upon the things that
excite them or lead them in the ways of the world.  Do not be led by this world’s ways, but by
the goodness of the Lord.  Come then and
live into the promises and hope that He gives to those who turn to Him.  Live into the life the Lord offers and
rejoice in the goodness of His grace and mercy, for His love alone endures
forever.

Lord, I am distracted by so many things.  Lead me in the way of life that I would
always go according to Your will and not the will of this world.  Help me to be thankful for what You have
shown me.  May I learn to meditate upon
Your goodness and the reality of Your presence through all that You have
created.  Guide me into the deeper life
of one who lives by fath.

Holy Spirit, lead my heart to see
through what this world offers in order to see the goodness and mercy that is
all around me.  Guide me according to
Your eternal will to live into the promises You have given me.  Help me walk in the way of Jesus and to not
be led astray by the ideas of this world. 
Keep me now and always abiding in You and You in me that I may walk the
way of faithfulness.  Amen.

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“My frame was not hidden from You, when I was made in secret, and
skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.  Your eyes saw my substance, being yet
unformed.  And in Your book they all were
written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them. (Psalm
139: 15-16)

The Lord knows you.  He knew you before you came into being.  You do not think and therefore exist.  You exist because you were wonderfully made
by the One who made all things.  Come
into the Lord’s presence and dwell with the One who has always known you.  Come and be comforted in the truth of His
eternal plan for you.  He knows all of
your days and they will come about according to His purpose.

Lord, I can only marvel at the truth of what You have declared.  Guide me in Your goodness to live into the
life to which You have called me.  Help
me to see through the obstacles of this life and know that I am now and always
in Your hands.  You are the One who
marvelously knits all things together. 
Join me to those who come into Your love and long for the day when we
meet You face to face.

Lord Jesus, all things came into
being through You and apart from You nothing came into being that has
being.  Guide me in the truth You have
spoken from the beginning.  Lead me in
the narrow way You have established. 
Lift me into the life You have made possible through grace.  In all things, guide me in the mercy and
goodness of the Father to do what is pleasing in His sight.  Amen.

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“For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s
womb.  I will praise You, for I am
fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are Your works, and that my soul
knows very well.”  (Psalm 139:13-14)

We are no accident, nor a freak
of evolutionary adjustment.  Before we
were in the womb, God knew us.  Yes, the
tentacles of the pollution of this age run deep, but hear the Word of the
Lord.  It is He who made you and He knows
the reasons.  Do not be deceived by this
world’s triviality, but be overwhelmed with the graciousness of God who gives you
life and calls you by name.

Lord, help me to see those places where I resist the truth of what You
are saying.  Guide me according to Your
goodness to know that You are the Creator of all things.  Lead me in the way of life that I would now
and always look to You, the source of my being, and be comforted.  Before I was born you had my name written in
Your book.  Teach me to marvel and
rejoice.

Lord Jesus, You know all those
who are Yours.  You knew each of us that
You would go to the cross for.  Lead me
in faith that I would now and always turn to You for all things, in all things,
and through all things.  You are the One
who has called me by name.  Lead me, Lord,
in the way You know I should go and remove from me anything that hinder my
always following You.  Amen.

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“If I say, “Surely the darkness shall fall on me,” even the night shall
be light about me; indeed, the darkness shall not hide from You, but the night
shines as the day; the darkness and the light are both alike to You.”  (Psalm 139:11-12)

What is dark but the absence of
light.  What is light but the presence of
the Lord.  The Lord has promised His
presence always, for wherever one of His creations is present there is at least
a flicker of light.  Do not be
disheartened, but marvel at the ways in which the Lord comes to all of those
whom He calls that they may be with Him as He is with them.  Come into the Lord’s presence and live.

Lord, I spend so much time trying to figure things out.  Let me be guided by Your Spirit that I would
live as You have created me to live.  Guide
me now and always in the truth of Your presence that I would experience the
liberty You give to those who love You. 
Take the lead and teach me to follow that I would learn from You the way
of life lived eternally in Your presence.

Lord Jesus, You must be the
author and finisher of my faith.  How can
I know where to go unless You lead?  How
will I know the way unless You lead me to the place from whence You have
come.  Guide me in the way of faith that
I would learn to be like You.  Lift me up
with You to see more clearly each day. 
Guide me in the faith You have given me to live boldly in Your presence.  Amen.

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“If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts
of the sea, even there Your hand shall lead me, and Your right hand shall hold
me.”  (Psalm 139:9-10)

Are you beginning to see the
breadth and depth of the Lord’s presence? 
Everything He has made He takes an interest in.  He did not just make everything and let it
go.  He cares about all that He has
made.  Jesus said that a sparrow does not
fall to the ground but that the Lord knows about it.  Take comfort that every moment of every day
the Lord is always with You and never leaves you.

Lord, in times I consider bad I am unable to reconcile these
thoughts.  Bad things do happen and You
are there.  Yet I know that You are also
working everything together according to Your purpose.  When I am in a place beyond my ability to
reason, grant that I would live in faith, trusting You above all things.  This is most especially true where my reason
gets in the way of faith.

Lord Jesus, You have said that
You are with us always, even unto the end of the age.  Guide me, Lord, in the way of faith that I
would focus more upon where You are leading me than upon my ability to reason
everything out.  Lead me to learn to
trust in every circumstance that I may walk by faith, being led by Your Spirit
in the way You know I need to go.  Help
me to always trust in You.  Amen.

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“Where can I go from Your Spirit? 
Or where can I flee from Your presence? 
If I ascend into heaven, You are there; if I make my bed in hell,
behold, You are there.”  (Psalm 139:7-8)

Where is it far enough that the
Lord is not there?  This universe and
everything outside of it belongs to the Lord. 
We think we are in our own little world and we may be, but the Lord is
there too.  Let your mind be amazed at
the thought.  Where is the Lord?  Where is He not?  His Spirit sustains all that exists and He
has invited You to know that He is with You always.

 How can this be, Lord?  I have so many questions and I ponder so many things.  Help me, I pray, to come fully into the reality of faith that I would live the life You have given me in Your presence joyfully.  Guide me according to Your mercy to walk humbly knowing that I am always with You and You with me.  Open my mind to see more fully the truth of all things which You have revealed.

Holy Spirit, You are always
here.  You are always around and moving
through all things.  Lead me in Your
presence to abide in faith, joy and peace. 
Guide me according to Your goodness to become willingly whom You are
leading me to be.  Help me now and always
to realize that You are always with me, even unto the end of this age and
beyond. Thank You, Lord, for being with me. 
Amen.

THE PRAYERS, 

Saint Michael and All Angels (September 29, 2019)

Let us pray in the name of Jesus to our heavenly Father for the Church, the world, and one another.

A brief silence

Heavenly Father, we praise and thank you for having ordained and constituted the ministries of angels and men in a wonderful order. Mercifully grant that, as your holy angels always serve and worship you in heaven, so by your appointment they may help and defend us on earth.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Heaven and earth are filled with your glory; and angels and archangels, cherubim and seraphim adore you in unceasing chorus. Give your Church the voice and the faith to join their song. Make its worship a foretaste of heaven. Make its proclamation a strong witness to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Make its deeds of charity a countersign to the deathly powers that seek to enslave all people.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Bless this congregation and make it rich in faith toward you and in fervent love in for one another. Remind us that your little ones – everyone for whom Christ died – have their angels pleading for them before your throne. Help us therefore not to put a stumbling-block before them, but instead to be merciful and gracious, giving and forgiving, as you have been toward us.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

May your holy angels bless, strengthen and defend your little ones who endure great suffering on account of Jesus. Grant that their time of persecution may speedily end; and convict the hearts of all who torment them, so they may repent and believe in the Gospel.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

As Michael is the defender of Israel and head of the angel host, so we pray that your holy angels would bring wise counsel to the leaders of every nation, and defend your people from the malice of the Evil One. Keep us safe in your care; teach us those things which make for peace; and preserve us in harmony and righteousness until that day when you make all things new.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

We lift before you all whom it would be easy to forget, but whose angels continually remember them before the Throne of Grace: the homeless, neglected and needy; the destitute, sick and aged; the mentally ill and physically or mentally challenged; those who are abused, and their abusers; unborn children, and mothers who are tempted or pressured to abort them. Shelter them with your tender care; and help us to bring them healing, hope, forgiveness and friendship, for the love of your dear Son.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

We pray on behalf of everyone who cries out to you for help in time of trouble, suffering, distress or grief; especially: {List}. Speedily rescue them from affliction; stir up compassion in all who care for them; and let your holy angels have charge of them, that the Wicked One have no power over them.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Most holy and gracious Father, we praise you for the victory your Son has won over sin and death. We entrust into care our departed loved ones. Grant to us, who still walk as yet by faith and not by sight, the protection of your holy angels. Grant that, encouraged by their presence and by the witness of all your saints, we may give you thanks for all things; fear nothing except losing you; and lay all our cares on you, knowing that you care for us. Bring us into the blessedness of eternal life; where the hosts of heaven and the whole company of the redeemed, we shall see you face to face, and adore you forever.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

In the power of the Holy Spirit, we entrust our prayers and petitions into your hands, gracious Father, for the sake of your beloved Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.  AMEN.

THE PRAYERS, 

Saint Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist (September 22, 2019)

Let us pray in the name of Jesus to our heavenly Father for the Church, the world, and one another.

A brief silence

Heavenly Father, thank you for calling us, though like Matthew we are numbered among the tax collectors and sinners. Thank you for lifting us up when we fall away from your commands, and for restoring us to positions of trust and the task of proclaiming the Gospel when we have repented.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Heavenly Father, bless your holy Church throughout the world. Fill it with faithful teachers and preachers of your Word; kindle its worship to be a living flame of praise to you; make it wise as serpents and innocent as doves as it bears witness to Jesus in this broken and fallen world; and grant it grace to lavish the treasures of your Kingdom upon all who are in need of them.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Give the people of this congregation ears to hear Jesus’ gracious call to discipleship. Give us joy and generosity to invite fellow sinners to join us as we feast on Jesus in Word and Sacrament. And give us strength and clarity, so that like Matthew, we proclaim the Gospel in ways that our neighbors can understand and respond to with repentance, faith, and commitment.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Give such lovingkindness and generosity to missionaries throughout the world, that in them, the poor of body, mind, or spirit may see and gladly receive your love and forgiveness. And help us to remember, pray for, defend, and assist your persecuted servants however we can. Give them grace to speak truth in love before their enemies, so that you may be glorified, and many may repent and turn to you.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Give wisdom, integrity, and common sense to our earthly leaders. Make them honest stewards of the power and authority granted to them; and remind them that they must give an account of their stewardship to you, their Master and King. Be the shield and defender of first responders and those in the military. Fill them with courage, integrity, and competence; and use their labors to accomplish your will in places of chaos and violence. Help us all to have a heart for the poor, and the will to assist them effectively and graciously.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Bless volunteers and workers, not only in this church, but throughout the world, who seek to serve you and neighbor. Multiply their gifts and talents, so that through their labors, many people receive mercy, comfort, and a clear sign of your providential care.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

You raise the poor from the dust and care for all who cry out to you. Therefore with confidence and hope, we remember before you all who are afflicted in body, mind, or spirit, including: {List}. Bring them out of darkness into your glorious light; and restore them to fellowship with all who love them.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Gracious and holy Father, receive into your Kingdom all the faithful departed, especially those dearest to us, including: {List}. Keep us steadfast in faith; diligent in service; truthful in word and honest in deed; and bind us together in cords of love and compassion for one another. Bring us, with all whom you have redeemed, into the fullness of your presence; and give us hearts, minds, and voices, forever to adore and glorify you, in the blessed communion you share with your Son and the Holy Spirit.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

In the power of the Holy Spirit, we entrust our prayers and petitions into your hands, gracious Father, for the sake of your beloved Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.  AMEN.

THE PRAYERS, 

15^th Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 20, Cycle C (September 22, 2019)

Let us pray in the name of Jesus to our heavenly Father for the Church, the world, and one another.

A brief silence

Heavenly Father, thank you for your holy Word, even when it convicts us or makes us squirm. Thank you for being patient with us. Thank you for lifting us up when we fall away from your commands, and for restoring us to positions of trust and the task of proclaiming the Gospel when we have repented.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Bless your holy Church throughout the world. Fill it with faithful teachers and preachers of your Word; kindle its worship to be a living flame of praise to you; make it wise as serpents and innocent as doves as it bears witness to Jesus in this broken and fallen world; and grant it grace to lavish the treasures of your Kingdom upon all who are in need of them.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Lord, it may make us smile or shudder to hear the parable of the dishonest servant at a time of year when stewardship is often lifted up. Bless this congregation in its stewardship of time, talents, treasures, and testimony. Help us to be honest, eager, and ingenious as we use whatever has been entrusted to us, for the sake of your Kingdom, and for the benefit of our neighbor.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Give such lovingkindness and generosity to missionaries throughout the world, that in them, the poor of body, mind, or spirit may see and gladly receive your love and forgiveness. And help us to remember, pray for, defend, and assist your persecuted servants however we can. Give them grace to speak truth in love before their enemies, so that you may be glorified, and many may repent and turn to you.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Give wisdom, integrity, and common sense to our earthly leaders. Make them honest stewards of the power and authority granted to them; and remind them that they must give an account of their stewardship to you, their Master and King. Be the shield and defender of first responders and those in the military. Fill them with courage, integrity, and competence; and use their labors to accomplish your will in places of chaos and violence. Help us all to have a heart for the poor, and the will to assist them effectively and graciously.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Bless volunteers and workers, not only in this church, but throughout the world, who seek to serve you and neighbor. Multiply their gifts and talents, so that through their labors, many people receive mercy, comfort, and a clear sign of your providential care.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

You raise the poor from the dust and care for all who cry out to you. Therefore with confidence and hope, we remember before you all who are afflicted in body, mind, or spirit, including: {List}. Bring them out of darkness into your glorious light; and restore them to fellowship with all who love them.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Gracious and holy Father, receive into your Kingdom all the faithful departed, especially those dearest to us, including: {List}. Keep us steadfast in faith; diligent in service; truthful in word and honest in deed; and bind us together in cords of love and compassion for one another. Bring us, with all whom you have redeemed, into the fullness of your presence; and give us hearts, minds, and voices, forever to adore and glorify you, in the blessed communion you share with your Son and the Holy Spirit.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

In the power of the Holy Spirit, we entrust our prayers and petitions into your hands, gracious Father, for the sake of your beloved Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.  AMEN.

THE PRAYERS, 

14^th Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 19, Cycle C (September 15, 2019)

(May be used for Holy Cross, Transferred)

Let us pray in the name of Jesus to our heavenly Father for the Church, the world, and one another.

A brief silence

Holy God, thank you for Jesus! Thank you for making him our good Shepherd. Thank you for loving us so much that we are granted forgiveness, life, fellowship with you – and love beyond all telling – in your Son, crucified, raised, and ascended to your right hand for our salvation.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Heavenly Father, give your Church the grace and desire to faithfully follow the Good Shepherd, your Son Jesus. Give it leaders who rightly proclaim your Word of Law and Gospel. And, as Jesus ate with sinners and tax collectors so they might feast on his grace and forgiveness, make the Church into a place of welcome, forgiveness, and transformation for every sinner who enters it.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Grant forgiveness and grace to this congregation. We do not like being compared to sheep, especially ones who head-butt and distress your flock. And yet we confess that sometimes we do those things. Teach us humility; and help us to acknowledge and repent of thoughtless words, self-centered actions, and anything else that may prevent one of your dear children from loving and trusting you.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Bless and direct the work of our national church body, and prosper its proclamation of the Gospel and works of Christlike charity. Save the lives of all who are persecuted because of their faith in Jesus. Convict with your strong word of Law all evildoers and enemies of the Gospel. Soften their hearts and turn them towards you in repentance, humility, and faith.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Our nation continues to struggle with enemies within and beyond its borders; with discord, suspicion and violence; and with a raucous political campaign that sometimes threatens to bring out the worst rather than the best in us. Shepherd us through these troubled times. Bring healing to our hearts, homes, and communities. Anoint our eyes to see one another as fellow citizens and as beloved children of the same heavenly Father. And bring a measure of your peace to this weary world.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

This weekend, we reflect upon the Holy Cross of Jesus our Savior. Fulfill his promise that, as he is lifted up, he will draw all people to himself. Give us grace, in words and deeds, to “lift high the Cross, the love of Christ proclaim ‘til all the world adore his sacred name.”

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Be merciful to all who are hurting, weak, abused, hungry, or grieving; or who in any way need the abundance of your grace. Especially we lift before you: {List}. Be their Good Shepherd, and bring them healing and hope. Help us all to be gentle, gracious, compassionate and kind to them, so that together, we may praise your goodness.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Dear heavenly Father, we entrust into the care of Jesus our Good Shepherd, all our beloved dead. Comfort all who mourn; and fill us with your Holy Spirit’s wisdom and grace. Teach us to love each other tenderly and care for one another diligently; and keep us ever in Christ’s care. Of your goodness, grant that he should heal us from every sin and infirmity, and lead us into your Kingdom; so that as one flock we may praise, adore, and glorify our Good Shepherd forever.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

In the power of the Holy Spirit, we entrust our prayers and petitions into your hands, gracious Father, for the sake of your beloved Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.  AMEN.