“When Israel went forth from Egypt, the house of Jacob from a people of
strange language, Judah became His sanctuary, Israel, His dominion.” (Psalm
114:1-2)

The name Jacob means “one who
contends.” The name Israel means “God prevails.” The difference tells the
story. The people came out of Egypt contending with the Lord and came into the
land of promise knowing that the Lord is the One who prevails. They came from a
land with a strange language to the place of knowing the Word of the Lord and
abiding in Him.

You are invited out of the “strange land” of this world which speaks
hostility against the Lord and into the place where the Lord, who made all
things, is the One to whom you listen. Come then and know that the Lord is good
above all gods and is the One who knows You and all people. Let the Lord be
Your sanctuary knowing that in Him alone is goodness and mercy all the days of
your life.

Lord Jesus, You have come to take
us out of the Egypt that is this world. It is a land that speaks hostility and
promotes wickedness. Guide me, O Lord, in the way of life that You offer that I
may now and always abide in You as You abide in me knowing that only in You may
I find the way of life. You have come to lead the way, so guide me this day and
every day in Your goodness and mercy. Amen.

“He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash
heap, to make them sit with princes, with the princes of His people. He makes
the barren woman abide in the house as a joyful mother of children. Praise the
Lord!” (Psalm 113:7-9)

All are the same in the Lord’s
eyes. He does not judge as the world judges. He loves all equally. Come into
the love of the Lord and know that He cares for all that He has made. He does
lift up the lowly and humbles the proud in their conceit. Be guided by the
principles of the Lord and not by the way of this world. Know that He who loves
you will lift you, for all are equal in His eyes.

Lord, by grace You have leveled the valleys and mountains. Lift me up
where I need to be lifted and lower me where I need to be lowered. Guide me
according to Your goodness to dwell in Your house forever. May I learn from You
to be humble and lowly and go where You would send me. May I know Your goodness
and share it with others. May I abide always in You.

Lord Jesus, You are the example
of the godly life and You have called for each of us to abide in You and You in
each one of us. May this be so as I live this day. Guide me in the truth of the
Holy Spirit that I may shine forth with Your presence this day. Lead me to see
what is good and to do what You would have me do now and forever. You are my
Lord and You have called me to rest in You. Amen.

THE PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH

4^th Sunday in Lent, Cycle C (March 31, 2019)

 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

Dearest heavenly Father, thank you for forgiving, welcoming, and restoring us, even when we have foolishly squandered your great gifts and turned away from you! Thank you for your Holy Spirit, who brings us “to our right minds” and helps us repent. Thank you for your Son. He guides us to your embrace; he gives his Body and Blood as the homecoming feast; he clothes us with his own righteousness; and he places the signet-ring of his Sonship upon our hand. We give you thanks, Father, not as we ought, but as we are able.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Make your Church faithful in proclaiming both your Law and Gospel. Make it lovely with holiness, gentle in rebuke, warmhearted in reconciliation, and generous in welcoming all whom you have led to repent.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Help this congregation to pray for, seek out, and forgive anyone who has wronged us. Give us patience, hope, graciousness, and humility. Make this a place where those who are estranged from us, and from you, may return and be reconciled.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

We pray for families torn apart by sin, squabbling, and selfishness. Heal them; return each person “to their right minds.” Deliver them from the pigsty of foolish pride and the far country of hostility. Take away whatever resentment and hurt stands in the way of healing and reunion.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Forgive those who, though entrusted with the great gifts of authority, power, and influence, have squandered them and used them foolishly. Give wisdom, integrity, and prudence to our elected and appointed leaders; to those in the military and first responders; to those entrusted with the education of our children and the welfare of our most vulnerable neighbors. And teach us to live at peace with one another, despite our differences!

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Bring healing, hope, and wholeness to everyone who suffers – especially: {List}. Bring them back from the far country of pain, sorrow, or despair. Restore them to the fellowship of all who love them, and increase their joyful trust in you.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Father, you have welcomed so many prodigals into your Kingdom already, including many whom we have loved in this life! Thank you for your forgiving and loving embrace. Keep our eyes firmly fixed on the road home to you. Deliver us from the pig sty of our stubborn pride. Soften our hearts to help our fellow prodigals along the way. Lavish your Holy Spirit upon us, so that we constantly strive to live in faith toward you and in fervent love for one another. And, at the last, welcome us to the homecoming feast you have prepared by the prodigality of your dear Son’s great love for us, the wayward sisters and brothers he has redeemed to live in your house forever.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Hear us, dear Lord; and answer our prayers according to your will, to your glory and for the benefit of the people you long to save.

Amen.

“Who is like the Lord our God, who is enthroned on high, who humbles
Himself to behold the things that are in heaven and in the earth?” (Psalm
113:5-6)

God, the Creator of all things,
has humbled Himself to walk among us as one of us. It is an amazing and almost
incomprehensible truth that many deny. God has walked with us and continues to
walk with us. This is the foundation of understanding who our Savior is. The
One to whom all honor is due is also the One who saves us. All that is belongs
to Him, for He made it.

Lord, help me to comprehend the simple but profound fact that You have
walked with us and continue to do so. You love that which You have created and
have invited us into Your presence forever. Lead me away from the scoffers that
I may be among those who know that it is You who has called from eternity for
us to join You in an eternal life of love and praise.

Thank You, Lord Jesus, my Lord
and my God. Guide me according to the goodness You have brought that I may walk
in the grace You provide. Lead me away from the wickedness of this world and
into the goodness You offer in faith. May I know that I am walking with You and
abiding in Your goodness and mercy all the days of my life. Cause Your light to
shine in me. Amen.

“From the rising of the sun to its setting the name of the Lord is to
be praised. The Lord is high above all nations; His glory is above the
heavens.” (Psalm 113:3-4)

The One through whom all things
have their being is worthy of being honored for all that He created. He created
you and you are a part of His creation. Should not the One above have more
honor than the one who is created? Learn to praise the Lord in all
circumstances knowing that He who made you holds you in the palm of His hand. Praise
the Lord, you, His saints.

Lord, there are times when I do not feel like praising You. Like a
spoiled child, I do not think in terms of right or wrong, but according to how
I feel. Lead me, O Lord, to come to You and praise You in every circumstance. Guide
me that I may walk according to Your will, doing all that is pleasing in Your
sight. Your glory alone is above all things, for You are the Sovereign One.

Holy Spirit, keep my feelings in
check this day that I may abide in the truth of Your presence. Lead me
according to Your goodness to see things as You see them. Help me now and
always to do what is right in the Father’s sight and to abide in Jesus as He
has commanded. May I walk humbly with You leading this day, giving thanks and
praise for all of Your goodness. Amen.

“Praise the Lord! Praise, O servants of the Lord, praise the name of
the Lord. Blessed be the name of the Lord from this time forth and forever.” (Psalm
113:1-2)

The Lord has worked. Six days
and He made what we call the creation. He has come and walked among us to grant
the way of salvation. Blessed is the Lord and worthy of all praise and honor. You
are called to be one of His servants. Remember that He whom you serve first
served you. He is not like those in this world who demand you being demeaned,
but lifts you up to Himself.

Lord, Let me read more clearly Your Word that I would see that You are
not like other sovereigns, but have walked humbly with us all the days of Your
life. Yet You are King of kings and worthy of all honor and praise. Guide me, O
Lord, in the way You have established that I may be guided in Your goodness,
grace, and mercy. Lead me always to give You praise and honor.

Lord Jesus, God in the flesh, You
have come humbly as one of us and walked this world. You know our weaknesses
better than we ourselves. Guide me, O Lord, in the way of truth that I may
learn to also walk humbly knowing that all praise and honor are due You. Lift
me up this day to do what is right in Your sight, praising You in every
circumstance, knowing that it is You who lifts us up. Amen.

“He has given freely to the poor, His righteousness endures forever;
his horn will be exalted in honor. The wicked will see it and be vexed, he will
gnash his teeth and melt away; the desire of the wicked will perish.” (Psalm
112:9-10)

Even the birds of the air, are
taken care of by the Lord. He provides for everything He has made. The wicked
take what is intended for others and are vexed when they are provided for in
spite of their best intentions to leave others destitute. There are great
mysteries in this world. The Lord provides all that is needed for all of His
creation, even the wicked.

Lord, even in writing this I thought about many things I could say were
exceptions, but these excuses are not true. There is more than enough for
everyone on this planet. Lord, You teach me to care for others as You care for
me. Lead me in this direction so that I would stop thinking in circles and
start walking the path You have set me upon. Lead me. O Lord. where I should
go.

Thank You, Lord Jesus, for teaching
me of the goodness of the Father. Help me today to live out the faith You have
given me. Guide me in Your goodness to help others as You have helped me. May I
learn a little more about what it means to abide in You as You abide in me. Through
all of the things that will happen teach me to rejoice and give praise for all
of the goodness of the Father. Amen.

“He will not fear evil tidings; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the
Lord. His heart is upheld, he will not fear, until he looks with satisfaction
on his adversaries.” (Psalm 112:7-8)

Evil comes in this world and
there are those who do what is wicked in the sight of the Lord. Their time is
short and they will be forgotten when they are gone. Know that only what is
good and right shall prosper. Come then into the presence of the Lord and seek
Him while He may be found. He will bring justice to those in need and His is
the vengeance that will punish the wicked.

Holy Spirit, lead me through the obstacles I encounter in this age
which hinder me from trusting in the righteousness and justice which is Yours
and will be revealed at the right time. Help me to trust in You and not myself,
for You alone are just and true. May I learn through Your guidance to abide in
all that comes knowing that all things are in Your hands and will unfold as
planned.

Lord Jesus, You also were the
recipient of injustice and yet this was as had been planned from the beginning.
Lead me, O Lord, in the way of truth which You have established that I may
learn to trust You above all things. Guide me today that I may make right
choices and abide in the truth of Your presence. Lead me, Lord, according to
Your purpose that I may grow in Your likeness. Amen.

THE PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH

3^rd Sunday in Lent, Cycle C (March 24, 2019)

 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

Heavenly Father, thank you for giving us your Son, who warns us of our sin, and who provides our remedy. Thank you for your Holy Spirit, who gives us grace to repent of our sin, and who provides an escape door when we are tempted to sin. Help us in these struggles; and have mercy on us when we fall.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Make the Church your sure sentinel, so that by word and deed, it helps many people to turn away from their sin and turn toward the Cross, upon which was hung their salvation. Keep your persecuted servants safe in their time of testing; and cause their tormentors to repent of their evil ways.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Help everyone in this congregation to be fruitful fig trees, abounding in righteousness, faithfulness, love, peace, and every good work that proclaims your glory and nourishes your people.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

We pray for everyone who is tempted to engage in sinful acts out of fear, desperation, ignorance, or malice. Help us to speak truth in love with them – and help us to hear words of truthful warning when they are spoken to us! Give us grace to encourage and accompany those who resolve to walk in the path of righteousness.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Lord, our earthly leaders – in government, industry, education, and elsewhere – often seem blind, deaf, and dumb regarding wise words, just decisions, and righteous deeds. Lead them to repent of selfish, wrongheaded, and evil laws or decisions, and to eagerly seek the good you set before us all.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

We plead on behalf of everyone who suffers in body, mind, or spirit – especially: {List}. We pray for everyone who cares for hurting, lonely, grieving, and vulnerable people. Refresh them with your gracious Spirit, and give them the joy of your saving help.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Most holy Father, thank you for the lives of your faithful servants who now rest from their labors. Keep their memories bright and their witness strong. Keep us in fellowship with them by faith, and with one another by love. Then, we pray: gather all who have been redeemed through the death and resurrection of your Son into the blessedness of your Kingdom, where with you and the Holy Spirit he reigns as Savior, Lord and God forever.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Hear us, dear Lord; and answer our prayers according to your will, to your glory and for the benefit of the people you long to save.

Amen.

“It is well with the man who is gracious and lends; he will maintain
his cause in judgment. For he will never be shaken; the righteous will be
remembered forever.” (Psalm 112:5-6)

The fruits of those who do what
is right in the sight of the Lord, gives evidence of their faith. They who practice
what is right and good show forth the justice of the Lord. Blessed are they who
look to the Lord and seek to live according to His word. Come into a life that
seeks first above all things to please the Lord. Know that in Him is all
goodness and mercy.

Lord, You know my inner life and the things I do that do not reflect
Your commands. Teach me to do as You would have me do that I may grow into the
kind of person You are calling me to be in faith. Remove the obstacles that
hinder a life of faithfulness that I may abide in the truth of Your Word and in
Your presence. Lead me away from the ways of this world into the goodness of
eternity.

Lord Jesus, You gave of Yourself
to others each day. By Your example help me to help others as the Spirit leads.
Guide me in the way of goodness that I may now and always live according to the
commands You have given, doing what is pleasing in the Father’s sight. Lead me,
O Lord, and help me to always follow You as You guide me in the way of
salvation which You have prepared. Amen.