The Pastor’s Corner

Prayer: Our great God in heaven, you alone are holy, and we are fallen creatures of dust. We thank you for being mindful of our needs and concerns and the myriad of things that seek to trouble us, causing anxiety and worry. Though we know your Word tells us to be anxious about nothing, we often find ourselves beset by what happens in our lives. We spend energy worrying about what might be instead of trusting you with our whole heart and leaning on you in prayer, casting all our cares upon you. We confess to you the weakness of our fallen condition. Though we are your redeemed people, we still fret about things. Forgive us, Lord, and help us to trust you. As students of your Word, we are reminded of the exhortation of your Son to refrain from anxiety because as you care about the birds of the air, much more will you care for us. Therefore, holy Father, please show your mercy and grace to your weak people.

We pray for the world and the countless number of our brothers and sisters who live in difficult circumstances. Many of them suffer in untold ways merely because they name the name of Christ. They are ridiculed, oppressed, persecuted, harmed, and some are martyred for their faith. We pray for their well-being, asking that you remember your promises to them. Remind them, Lord, that to live is Christ and to die, gain. Please help them to advance the cause of your Kingdom and use them to bring many into union and communion with you we pray through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Prayer: Grant, Almighty God, though we daily depart from Thee by our sins, that we may not yet be wholly removed from the foundation on which our salvation depends. But do Thou so sustain us, or even raise us up when fallen, that we may ever continue in our degree and also return to Thee in true repentance. And whatever may happen to us, may we learn ever to look to Thee, that we may never despair of Thy goodness, which Thou hast promised to be firm and perpetual, and that especially while relying on Thine only begotten Son our Mediator, we may be able to call on Thee as our father, until we shall at length come to that eternal inheritance, which has been obtained for us by the blood of Thine only Son. Amen.
(Lifting Up our Hearts: 150 Selected Prayers of John Calvin)

Prayer: Grant, almighty God, that you would kindly and gently lead your people safely to our heavenly rest. We know that you have promised never to leave us or forsake us. We know that your Word promises that the good work you began in us will continue it until that great day. Sadly, and much to our embarrassment, we forget these simple truths too quickly. We forget that we live our whole life -- each moment -- before your face. We forget that you see all that we do, say, and think. Forgive us, Father, for the sins we commit, those sins of omission and commission. Please give us the zeal to obey you in all things and all ways. We give you thanks for your patience with us, not treating us as our sins deserve. We thank you that you are faithful and just to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Who is like you, our God? Who is so kind and good to regard your creatures made in your image with favor? Who but you would condescend to our weakness and rescue us from our stubborn selves? We lift our eyes to heaven, and we praise your name for saving us. We plead with you to rescue many from the snare of sin and death and the tragic end it all brings. Be pleased to save and usher many into your kingdom we pray through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Prayer: Almighty God, we thank you and praise you for granting us another day to honor and adore you and to live our lives to glorify you. We thank you for the gift of life. We know that we are the work of your hands because you made us and fashioned us after your image. In the beginning, you made us from the dust of the ground and breathed into us the breath of life, and we became a living soul. We know that you made us walk with you just as our first parents did in paradise. Yet, due to their sin, we fell with them in that Garden and were plunged into a life of misery. Despite that rebellion, you promised a Redeemer who came in the fullness of time to reverse the effects of the fall and to bring us back into union and communion with you. Though we are now your people, we still transgress your law and fall short of your glory. Forgive us, Father. Please grant us a greater zeal to obey you. Please give to us what you command and help us by your Spirit.

We pray for our loved ones and those living in rebellion against you. We pray for their eternal state and ask that you turn their hearts of stone to flesh and make them able and willing to believe the mandates of the Gospel. We know that only you can save. We know that you alone can open blind eyes and deaf ears. We understand that the heart of man is desperately wicked, and only you, by your grace, can turn that evil that resides within it to that which is good and right and holy. Therefore, we plead with you to do what you love to do - forgive sinners. WE thank you, our God, for the great work of salvation given to us through Christ our Lord in whose name we pray. Amen.