The Pastor’s Corner

Prayer: Our most merciful and holy God, we plead that you would grant us the wisdom that comes only from you. Cause us to see and seek knowledge by praying and pleading for it and searching for it in your Word. We know that your Word is the bread of life that man must have to be filled. It is there that we find truth and wisdom to help us on our pilgrimage to our heavenly rest. We confess that we often seek what is most needful in other things. Too often, we put our hope in the counsel and advice of this fallen world. WE know that leads to instability. Forgive us, Lord. Please help us strive after holiness and godliness and righteousness by seeking it in prayer and your infallible Word through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Read More

Prayer: Grant Almighty God that we would remember how zealous you are for your glory and worship. You have commanded that we have no other gods in your sight. We are painfully aware of how prone we are to make idols out of everything good. We create and fashion them in our hobbies, recreation, entertainment. We develop them out of our loved ones, family members, spouses, and children. We replace you with them and those other good things you have blessed us with in our lives. Indeed the "The mind of man, I say, is like a work place of idolatries, and every one of us is, even from his mother's womb, a master craftsman of idols." Please show us plainly those ways in which we have sinned against you and grant us the desire to strip those idols down from that exalted place that should be reserved for you alone. We know that if we hold too tightly to them, you will not bless us and may even remove them. Therefore, holy Father, do not let us wallow in the madness of idolatry that so ensnared your people of old. Please grant us your Holy Spirit to help us to do what you command. We humbly pray through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Read More

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

Scripture: Romans 1:8-15

The passage under consideration today is found within the opening words of Paul's letter to the church at Rome (1:7). As is his custom, he indicates to the church that he is praying for them, and he does so with words of thanksgiving before petition (1:8 cp. with 1:10). That is a good model for us as we pray. So often, we move right to petition and forget to be thankful for the many ways in which the Lord has heard our prayer and answered us and how he has tended to our needs every day—praying prayers of thanksgiving tends to cultivate a genuinely thankful heart.

Read More

Prayer: Grant Almighty God that you would offer your comfort and compassion to your people who you love and pity. Please remind them of your love and favor and how you order all things according to the counsel of your own will working all things for your glory and their good. Too often, we question your divine providence and fail to see your hand of goodness through difficulties and trials. Please help us to remember your love as you seek to shepherd your people through their pilgrimage in this life. We confess that we live in a fallen world, and we confess that we are fallen. Therefore, we grow weary and anxious and sinfully worry about our lives. Please help us to place our whole trust and confidence in you regardless of the circumstances. Help us to count it all joy when we meet trials of every kind through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Read More

Prayer: Grant Almighty God that you would cause your people to strive to do all your holy will today. Please remember your promises to grant your Spirit to your children as they cry out to you for help and strength with a desire to serve you and love you with their whole heart, soul, mind, and strength. Forgive us, merciful Father, for the many ways in which we displease you. Thank you for the provision of your only begotten Son that we who have believed and trusted in him may not perish but have everlasting life. Thank you for your present promise to forgive all those who humbly bow before you and for casting our sins into the deepest ocean. Please help us honor and adore you today because you are good and do good to your people through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Read More

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.

Read More

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.

Read More