Heavenly Father,

You are the all powerful and ever-living God. You make us holy men and women through the blood of Jesus Christ. You make us Your children and fill us with Your Spirit. Thank You for Your love and Your grace.

I confess that I sinned against You in thought, word, and deed. I have not loved You with my whole heart and I have not loved my neighbor as myself.

 

(take a moment to reflect on the past day and confess your sins.)

 

I am sorry for my sins and pray for Your great mercy. For the sake of Jesus Christ, please forgive me of all my sins.

Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer:

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name,
Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. 
Give us this day our daily bread;
And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us;
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. 
For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever.

Amen

Prayer of the Day:

Heavenly Father,

You cause the sun to rise on the evil and the good and send rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. You hold off the day of judgment so that more might be saved. You love all people.

I pray for the people of Wesley Chapel and the surrounding areas. Bless them and care for them. The people of Wesley Chapel have great needs as all people do. Wesley Chapel has no downtown or central hub. Rather, it is a collection of disparate neighborhoods. I pray for a sense of community within Wesley Chapel, that all its residents may feel at home and work together for the good of all.

I pray for those who struggle with the rapid change that is happening in Wesley Chapel. For some, their small, rural town is quickly transforming into a bustling suburbia. Provide for them and give them a sense of peace.

Most importantly, I pray for the people of Wesley Chapel to come to know You as their Lord and Savior. In the 2010 census only 22% said they have a church home. I pray that Your Word would be proclaimed that all may hear it and receive faith.

Be with Faith Lutheran Church. You have placed our congregation in Wesley Chapel for a purpose. Help us to be a light to the community. May we foster community and deep relationships. May we comfort those who struggle and care for them. May we share Your love and Your Gospel with those who have no church home.

Amen.

The Psalms:

The Psalms have long been considered the prayer book of the Bible and have been used as prayers by countless Christians over the centuries. So, we join them in this practice and pray a Psalm.

Psalm 4

1 Answer me when I call to you,
my righteous God.
Give me relief from my distress;
have mercy on me and hear my prayer.

2 How long will you people turn my glory into shame?
How long will you love delusions and seek false gods?
3 Know that the Lord has set apart his faithful servant for himself;
the Lord hears when I call to him.

4 Tremble and do not sin;
when you are on your beds,
search your hearts and be silent.
5 Offer the sacrifices of the righteous
and trust in the Lord.

6 Many, Lord, are asking, “Who will bring us prosperity?”
Let the light of your face shine on us.
7 Fill my heart with joy
when their grain and new wine abound.

8 In peace I will lie down and sleep,
for you alone, Lord,
make me dwell in safety.

(Take a few minutes to add your personal prayers, now.)

Conclude your time of prayer with either Luther’s morning or evening prayer, depending on what time of day it is.

Luther’s Morning Prayer:

I thank you, my Heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.

Luther’s Evening Prayer:

I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have graciously kept me this day; and I pray You to forgive me all my sins where I have done wrong, and graciously keep me this night. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the wicked foe may have no power over me. Amen.

In Christ’s Service,

Pastor Kurt