The Pastor’s Corner

The apostle Paul was a man of prayer, and this is reflected in almost every letter he wrote to the churches and individuals. The Philippians church was especially dear to him as it was a church he founded when he visited that city in Acts 16. His first encounter with that city was not pleasant -- jailed, along with Silas, for advancing the kingdom of the Lord. Yet, a church started and grew. Some ten years later, Paul addresses these dear saints in a letter bearing their name.

The letter opens with comfort from the apostle. In his words, he labors to pastorally offer them something of hope, telling them that he was praying for them. Indeed, what better thang can a Christian do than to say to another brother or sister that they are praying for them. There is a real danger to receive those words without much thought or comfort. We sometimes hear people tell us that, and we respond well by saying "thank you." After all, we do have manners! Yet, we should understand deeply the extreme peace and comfort those words convey. Prayer moves the hand of God, and the prayers of the saints for the saints are how God helps and guides his people. Of course, when we tell others we are praying for them, we ought to be telling the truth. The words "I am praying for you" are not a mere solace but are to be heartfelt and meaningful.

Prayer: Our great and glorious God, the sole sovereign of heaven and earth, we bow before you to praise you and to set our needs before you. WE know that you invite us to pray and plead with you for all that we need. We are thankful that you care for us and hear us as we pray. As a Father, you stand able and ready to listen to us and to do exceedingly, abundantly beyond anything we might ask or think. You have graciously given us your Word, and you have graciously given us this one day in seven in which we gather together as your people to hear your Word as it is read and preached. We ask you to bless your Word in the ears, minds, and hearts of your people today. Please grant an abundance of your Spirit upon those men, called apart by you, as they deliver your Word to the sheep of your pasture. We pray that it will not be a demonstration of the minds of men by one of the life-giving Spirit. Please forgive us for the many times we hear your Word and fail to do what it says. Please keep us from temptation -- from wandering thoughts and disobedient behavior. We ask that you would be pleased in what we hear and how we respond for the sake of Christ our Lord, we pray. Amen.

Prayer: Our most gracious Father in heaven, we bow before your majesty on another Lord's Day that reminds us of your love for us demonstrated in the giving of your Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. We know that we are miserable creatures of dust, fallen in Adam, raised to glory by Christ and his righteousness. Through his labor and work, we are now pardoned of all our sins and counted as righteous in your sight. Through the work of your Spirit, we are being sanctified daily and moved to mortify the deeds of the flesh and walk in newness of life. Though we sin daily in thought, word, and deed, we are thankful for your constant care and presence. You have adopted us as sons and daughters. We belong to you and know that this one day in seven reminds us of the glorious hope as we await the new heavens and the new earth. Forgive us, Father, for the many ways in which we, like sheep, go astray. Please grant us fervent zeal and desire to worship you as unprofitable servants and to love you with our whole heart, soul, mind, and strength. All of these things we place before you with hearts longing for you through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Prayer: Grant almighty God that your redeemed people would listen carefully to the voice of the Good Shepherd of the sheep. AS your people, we know that his sheep hear his voice, and that voice comes primarily through your Word proclaimed. As we sit in our pews on another Lord's Day, please grant to us a willing heart and mind to listen as though it is the last sermon we will ever hear. Grant your ministers the passion, zeal, and fire to preach as though it will be the last thing they ever preach. We know that your Word is a light to our path, and we long to be shown the way in a dark and difficult sin-wrecked world. Please help us, Father. We are your servants, and we desire to hear from your Son, so give us the ears to hear, the minds to receive, and the hearts to follow your Son and our Shepherd we pray through Christ our Lord. Amen.