O Lord, we confess that You are our salvation and so we call upon Your name in prayer, trusting that You will comfort us:
We give You thanks and praise that Your anger has been turned away from us on account of the sacrifice of Your Son Jesus upon the cross. Give us hearts that long to sing Your praises in worship and help us to regard Your Word and Sacraments as a well of salvation that we can draw strength from again and again.
Bless and empower the mission of the church and especially this congregation that through our witness and gifts the Good News of salvation would be made known in all the earth. As You gave the Holy Apostles the ministry of reconciliation continue to raise up men for the pastoral office who will fulfill this ministry in our own day.
We thank You for the gift of Holy Baptism through which Rhett has become a new creation. Remind us that our own baptism is a promise of life and salvation from You that we can return to each day of our lives. Let us hear with fresh ears the earnest appeal You make to us to repent of our sins, be renewed in our faith, and reconciled to You through Jesus.
Let Your hand of blessing rest upon our families. Where there is anger and discord grant love and peace. Help us to rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep and thereby show the compassion and concern You have for all the members of Your family. Especially do we ask your blessing upon Wes and Harriet as they celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary. Continue to strengthen their love for one another and You and help us all to follow their example of wedded love and faithfulness.
We also ask You to comfort the Fry family as they mourn the loss of Cody’s grandfather. Assure them that he is at rest in Your presence, waiting for that great day of resurrection when they will see him again and join him around the throne of the One who conquered death by his own resurrection.
Be the strength and comfort of all who stand in need of Your mighty and loving care. Send rain upon this dry land. Grant healing to the sick according to Your wise fatherly will, especially Darlene. Provide for the needs of all of those who lack the necessities of life. Open our hearts and hands to care for the needs of others.
As You were great in the midst of Israel let it be so in our own nation. Guide those who govern and protect this country and grant that they would be men after Your own heart. Make us and our fellow citizens decent and upright and hardworking. Rid us of those national sins that destroy Your good gifts of family and marriage and children.
Whatever else You see that we need-whatever is good for our neighbor and whatever brings glory to You—grant to us dear Father for we confidently ask in the name of Your Son Jesus Christ. Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment