The Pastor’s Corner

Prayer: Almighty God, we thank you for giving us your moral law that tells us of your holy and righteous demands upon us. We know that you are the creator and, as such, you can demand from us whatever worship or obedience you desire. We know that the law demonstrates your character and calls to a redeemed people to strive to be obedient to it diligently using the outward means of grace. Though we love your law, we are forgetful and stiff-necked at times and break it. We know that we sin daily in thought, word, and deed, and we seek your forgiveness through your Son. We thank you for our Savior and Redeemer because he has freed us from the dominion of sin by keeping your holy demands perfectly in every way. Finally, we thank you for your Spirit given to us that we are then made able and willing to do all that you have commanded us through Christ our Lord. Amen.

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Prayer: Father, life can be very discouraging at times, especially as we seek to pilgrim faithfully through this world and life that you have ordained. We know that you guide each step and breath by your divine providence and that all things you order for us are tailor-made to strengthen our endurance and move us to persevere, leading to our arrival at our heavenly rest. Yet, we confess, there are times when the command to "count it all joy when you meet various trials" can be very hard. We face opposition on many sides. Friends suddenly disappear, and a sense of betrayal sets in. Our health crumbles, and our minds are plagued with worry and anxiety. We know you govern these things, and we long to respond as we are told: to trust you and place our hope in you because you are working to conform us to the Savior. Please help us and grant to us what you command, for we long to respond to these dark providences in a way that glorifies you. Through Christ our Lord, we pray. Amen.

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Prayer: Grant almighty God that we as your people would learn to trust you in all things. We observe our lives and see that they are filled with manifold trials and difficulties. Those dark providences that you order are often difficult to withstand. Yet, we know that those things produce in your people perseverance and greater trust in you. We know that your Word highlights these things in the lives of your redeemed people and servants. Often you brought these great men and women of the faith through the floodwaters and fire to produce in them more and more of your image. We confess that there are times when we grumble and complain in the face of the refining fire of life. We know that this is an abomination before you, and we confess it openly with a great desire to submit to your will in all things. Thank you, our God, that you do not bring us through hardships because you don't care for us. We know that you do, and we know that even that troubles of this life are ordered by a loving Father who guides, directs, and upholds his people. Therefore, please help us submit to your will and allow those trials to perfect your goal of making us more like your Son in whose name we pray. Amen.

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Meditation for the day taken from Everyday Prayer with John Calvin written by Donald McKim:

Scripture: Acts 1:12-14

The narrative before us today follows on the heels of the ascension of the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 1:6-11). in that final discourse, endeavoring to answer the question of his disciples (1:6), he promises that they "will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you." Of course, Jesus could have fulfilled that promise in an instant, but he chose to make them wait -- and wait, they did. Finally, after witnessing the ascension and hearing the comforting words of the two men (1:10-11), the disciples, along with a contingent of others, returned to Jerusalem and committed themselves to prayer. As they for the promise of Christ to be accomplished, they prayed.

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Prayer: Grant Almighty God that you would bring all glory to yourself today and that men, made in your image, would honor and adore you and glorify you in all that they do. We pray that your will be done on earth as it is done in heaven. Grant that your redeemed people, called by you and plucked from the world of sin and misery as a holy nation, would strive through all the means you have given to glorify you in every aspect of their lives. We confess to you that we rarely and consciously test our thoughts, words, and actions through the filter of your glory and what you command us to do. We are ashamed at how little we ponder your majesty and beauty. Though we are thankful for what you do for us, rarely do we sit still and meditate on who you are -- our God, full of glory and power, and might. Therefore, be pleased to help us through the eternal Spirit in that whatever we do, whether eating or drinking or whatever it may be, to honor and glorify you this day and every day. These things we pray through Christ our Lord. Amen.

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Prayer: Grant Almighty God that we, as your redeemed people who you call the apple of your eye, might never lose our first love, that love we had for you and your Son at first. May we always be mindful of our sins that they are always before us to humble us and cause us to walk in dependence upon you. Grant to us, Father, a ready mind to meditate on the heart of Christ for his people and be pleased to then turn our hearts in warm affection for him and all that he has done, is doing and will do for us. We confess our weakness in this life as pilgrims in a strange land. Please grant to us perseverance that we might live as you have directed us. Be pleased to give us a willing mind and heart that we would dutifully and joyfully obey you in all things through Christ our Lord. Amen.

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