“If Your law had not been my delight, then I would have perished in my
affliction.  I will never forget Your precepts,
for by them You have revived me.  I am
Yours, save me; for I have sought Your precepts.”  (Psalm 119:92-92)

Have you heard, “you are what
you eat?”  Whether that is true or not I
do not know, but I do know that the one who consumes God’s Word and truly
allows the Word to nourish the soul is saved from every affliction.  This does not mean afflictions will not
happen, it means that in everything you see the Lord’s hand and His guidance.  Be nurtured by the Lord and the Word He has
given.

Lord, in one sense it is so simple. 
Help me to take in what You give that it may nurture me.  In so many ways I resist what You have given.
 Though I read I may not understand.  Change my heart, O Lord, that I would now and
always live in the truth of Your precepts. 
You give guidance for life but my heart needs to abide in You that I
would always live Your precepts.

Lord Jesus, You have come to not
only show the way, but to save me from a heart that wanders.  Guide me this day that I would learn what it
is that You would have me learn.  Lead me
in the way of truth that I would put into practice Your precepts.  Lord, You have taught me, now please help me
put into practice the things You would have me learn this day that it may be to
the Father’s glory.  Amen.

“Forever, O Lord, your word is settled in heaven.  Your faithfulness continues throughout all
generations; You established the earth, and it stands.  They stand this day according to Your
ordinances, for all things are Your servants.” 
(Psalm 119:89-91)

The author and finisher of
creation is the Lord God Almighty.  It is
His, for He made it.  Who then is able to
thwart what has already been written?  To
whom shall we turn if not the Lord.  The
world is His and although we have temporary custody, all belongs to Him.  Be guided not by the wickedness of this
world, but the goodness of the One who made all things and walk in His ways.

Lord, it is a struggle to see through the dim light of this age.  So many things have been twisted that I do
not see through to Your goodness, Lift up my countenance and grant that more of
Your light comes into my soul.  Be Thou
my vision and my stronghold that I may walk boldly and with my life proclaim
Your goodness.  What You have declared is
the reality of eternity.  Guide me in all
of Your ways that I may partake of Your promises.

Lord Jesus, You have come to
rescue us from the way of sin, death and the devil.  Lead me, O Lord, in the way You would have me
go that I may not falter.  Lift me up
when I stumble and help me now and always to see through the haze of this world
to do what is right in Your sight.  Teach
me Your ways that I may walk in them and enable me to hold fast to the truth of
the eternal Word.  Amen.

They almost destroyed me on earth, but as for me, I did not forsake
Your precepts.  Revive me according to
Your lovingkindness, so that I may keep the testimony of Your mouth.”  (Psalm 119:87-88)

The wicked of the world are
destructive.  Like their father, the
devil, they kill, maim and destroy.  But
it should not be so among you.  Be those
who uphold the stewardship of the Lord and do what is right in the face of
evil.  Let your life be a testimony of
the goodness of the Lord.  Seek His ways
always and walk in them.  Know that in
the Lord is found all goodness, mercy and kindness.

Lord, I hear the laments of this age and it has only gotten worse since
this verse was penned.  Mankind has
increased in its wickedness.  Guide me, O
Lord, in the way of righteousness that I may live according to Your precepts
and walk in them.  Turn my heart to
always do what is right and good. Lead me in Your ways, O Lord, that I may walk
in them.  Help me to be a good steward.

Lord Jesus, You have come to save us from ourselves.  You know the state of our hearts and the ways in which we are uncaring.  Guide me this day to do those things which are pleasing in Your sight.  Help me now and always to abide in Your promises and know that all things are Yours, for through You and for You they were made.  May I now and always be found in You, O Lord, doing what is pleasing in the Father’s sight.  Amen.

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“How many are the days of Your servant? 
When will You execute judgment on those who persecute me?  The arrogant have dug pits for me, men who
are not in accord with Your law.  All
Your commandments are faithful; they have persecuted me with a lie; help
me!   (Psalm 119:84-86)

We often ponder the length of
our days in this age.  Will I live a long
and healthy life?  Rather than focusing
upon yourself, look to the Lord and ask for His benefits.  You are being prepared to be with Him
forever.  Will you spend the time
preparing to be the person the Lord has made you to be?  It is not just a matter of being focused on
then, but realizing what the Lord is implanting in you now.

Lord, help me to have heavenly priorities that are useful here and
now.  Guide me that I would learn Your
precepts and put them into practice.  Let
me not get caught up in lies of this age, but live into the righteousness You
give by grace and lived by faith.  Lead
me, O Lord, according to Your goodness to see the truth of all that You have
revealed through Your Word that I would live according to Your purposes.

Come Holy Spirit and lead me from the inside out according to the Father’s purpose.  Help me now and always to be attentive to those things which I need to learn and never let me fall prey to the lies of the wicked.  May I now and always be guided by Your presence and purpose as You recreate in me the image of Christ my Savior.  Guide me this day to do what is right and pleasing in Your sight.  Amen.

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“My soul languishes for Your salvation; I wait for Your word.  My eyes fail with longing for Your word,
while I say, “When will You comfort me?” 
Though I have become like a wineskin in the smoke, I do not forget Your
statutes.”  (Psalm 119:81-83)

We may sometimes think that the
Lord’s favor is conditional.  “Lord, I
have done this, when are you going to do that.” 
The Lord is not slow, but awaits the perfect time for all things.  He who knew you before you were in your
mother’s womb knows all that is needed. 
Do not forget His statutes, but practice them in season and out of
season.  He who is just is faithful
always.

Lord, in times of trouble and adversity, guide me to see in You the
eternal hope You have promised.  Let me
never forget that I am in Your hands and that You are leading me as You have
always known I needed to be led.  Help me
Lord to see through the smoke of this age that I may walk faithfully in the
righteousness You give.  Grant me
strength to remain always faithful to You.

Lord Jesus, You know adversity.  You have come that we may have liberty and life through You amidst all the struggles of this world.  Help me, O Lord, to see through what this day brings, that I do not like to know, that in all things You will work out my salvation.  Keep me close to You always that I may increasingly become like You.  You are the author and finisher of my faith; lead me, O Lord.  Amen.

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“May those who fear You turn to me, even those who know Your
testimonies.  May my heart be blameless
in Your statutes, so that I will not be ashamed.”  (Psalm 119:79-80)

The Lord calls us to be lifted
up that those around also know that we hear the Word of the Lord and obey all
that He commands.  It is not that we are
lifted up in ourselves, but lifted up because of our righteousness in the
Lord.  Come then and know the goodness of
the Lord and walk in His ways.  Let Him
lift up whom He will and follow and lead according to His purposes.

Lord, remove me from the equation so that I would do as You would have
me do.  You are Lord and You know the
purposes for which You have created each one of us.  Lead me, O Lord, in the way of righteousness
that I would now and always walk according to Your Word of truth.  May I never be ashamed for the goodness You
have given me through Your eternal promises.

Lord Jesus, You have taught us how to walk blamelessly.  Lead me this day that I would now and forever walk according to Your goodness.  Help me through all of the obstacles that come my way.  May I now and always be found in You, the author and source of my faith.  Place me where You would have me and guide me throughout this day to do what is pleasing in the Father’s sight.  Amen.

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“May Your lovingkindness comfort me, according to Your word to Your servant. May Your compassion come to me that I may live, for Your law is my delight. May the arrogant be ashamed, for they subvert me with a lie; but I shall meditate on Your precepts.”  (Psalm 119:76-78)

It is never good to demand from the Lord. Always be respectful and request. Will You, Lord? The Lord grants affirmation to those who turn to Him. The Lord gives guidance to those who seek it. The Lord will humble those who trust in Him. Turn to the Lord and know the goodness of His ways. He will lift You up lest you dash your foot against those things that will hinder you.

Lord, turn my heart to look to You always. Keep me from seeking the ways of this world, but instead, would You grant me a turn of my heart to seek You always and in all things. Those of the world seek to subvert who I am, but You have come to rescue me that I may always walk in Your ways. Guide me O Lord in Your Spirit to always turn to You, seeking faithfulness in all things.

Lord Jesus, You are the way truth and life. Guide me in the way of life that I may live truthfully. Help me now and always to seek You first and the righteousness You give to those who follow You. Lift up my countenance that I would live into the righteousness to which I have been called. May I learn from You this day, humbly obeying all that You give for direction. Amen.

“May those who fear You see me and be glad, because I wait for Your word. I know, O Lord, that Your judgments are righteous, and that in faithfulness You have afflicted me” (Psalm 119:74-75)

Do you wait upon the Lord and look to Him to fulfill all that is needed? Is the Lord your righteousness? Faithfulness is a matter of trusting the Lord at His word and knowing that He will accomplish all that He has promised. Lean not on your own understanding, nor on your ability to figure things out, but upon the One through whom all things have their being.

Lord, You are faithful and You will accomplish all that You have promised. Guide me O Lord in the way of truth that I may know Your goodness and mercy. Move me away from the need to try and figure all things out and rather trust in all that You have said. Heaven and earth will pass away, but Your Word endures forever. All that comes my way in this life You already know about.

Lord Jesus, You have come that our doubts may be removed and we may know that in following You all shall come to pass as the Father has purposed. Lead me in trusting You above all things knowing that You shall add whatever else is needed as I walk with You. Guide me Jesus now and always that I would be glad in the truth You have revealed through Your grace. Teach me always trust You Lord. Amen.

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“Your hands made me and fashioned me; give me understanding, that I may learn Your commandments.” (Psalm 119:73)

What are the ways of life and who may know them? This world struggles to find its way, yet there is that consistency whereby people come up with the same rules. The Lord God established His commands in the beginning. Come then into His presence and live according to all that He has declared, for in Him is the way of living in harmony with all that He has created.

Lord, guide me ever deeper into understanding the way of life. You have set the ground rules and so many seek to thwart those rules and do things their own way. Lead me O Lord in the way of righteousness that I may never depart. Help me to see the errors of my ways and allow Your Word to rule in my heart and in all that I do. Only in Your statutes is the truth of how things work found.

Lord Jesus, You have come not to judge the world, for it is judged already. Guide me O Lord in the way of truth that I would now and forever abide in all that You have commanded. Keep me from stumbling and falling into error. Guide me according to Your precepts to live the life for which You have created me. May I now and always be found walking in all of Your ways.  Amen.

The Prayers of the Church

Holy Trinity Sunday, June 16, 2019 (Also Father’s Day)

By the power of the Holy Spirit, let us pray to God our Father in the name of Christ Jesus our Lord, making intercession for the Church, the world, and for all people according to their need.

A brief silence

Come Holy Spirit! Set our hearts on fire with love for God and for his people. Let your wind propel us out of our comfort zones and into the war zones of anguish, injustice, despair, and unbelief. There, let your tongues of fire kindle our tongues to speak words of truth and power, life and love, challenge and forgiveness.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Gracious Father, bless and preserve your holy Church, purchased with the blood of your dear Son and sanctified with the fire of your Spirit. Keep it steadfast in faith; sound in doctrine; loving in service; generous in giving; ardent in worship; and holy in living. In all things, make it a lamp filled with the light of your presence, welcoming and guiding many to salvation in your holy Name.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Be the shelter, strength, and inheritance of all who are hated because they confess Christ as Savior and God. Give them courage, graciousness, and hope; and soften the hearts of their enemies.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Kindle the hearts and minds of the people of this congregation with your Spirit. Unite us to your Son; and use us to proclaim the gospel in words and deeds to all those we meet. Help us to seek out those who most deeply need your strong saving love; and to invite them into your holy fellowship, there to find joy, purpose, and an eternal home.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Our Father, by whose name all fatherhood is blessed, forgive us for the delusion that “father” is a dirty word, that fathers are optional, and that Men cannot be gentle and strong, or loving and courageous. Bless all earthly fathers. It’s a tough job and our culture has made it tougher. Give them a double portion of your Spirit, to accomplish your will as they care for their children. Comfort all who are estranged or bereaved. And help us to honor their place in our lives.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

With your mighty hand and outstretched arm, protect, guide and defend all those who stand in harm’s way on behalf of others, including those in our military and all first responders. Help us to honor those who have died and help those who have been wounded; and to find ways that many may benefit from their experience and wisdom when they return to civilian life.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

There is no other God beside you, who are Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Give your incomparable gifts of faith, wisdom, and righteousness to all people, especially to those who take counsel for the nations. Conform the hearts of all people to your will, and bless this war-torn world with the peace that passes human understanding.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Dearest Father, gather in your Son’s embrace all who suffer in body, mind or spirit, especially: {List}. Bestow upon them health and salvation; and bless them, and all who care for them, with the grace and comfort of your Holy Spirit.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Most Holy and Blessed Trinity, we praise and adore you for welcoming into your eternal communion of life and love all who died trusting in you. Keep our hearts firmly fixed on you, the Lord and Giver of life, the Alpha and the Omega, the God and Father of all creation. Bring us, with the whole company of the redeemed of every time and place, every nation, tribe and tongue, into the joy of your presence, where we shall behold you face to face and adore you as Father, Son and Holy Spirit, our Lord and our God.

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.