Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. For the Lord is the great God, the great King above all gods. – Psalm 95:2-3
God has given us so much to be thankful for, most especially salvation through Jesus Christ. I pray that the Lord blesses you on this Thanksgiving Day.
God bless!
In Christ’s Service,
Pastor Kurt
Heavenly Father,
God our Father, fountain and source of our salvation, may we proclaim your glory every day of our lives, that we may sing your praise forever in heaven.
I confess that I have not always had a heart of gratitude for all that You have done for me. 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 have created us and given us life. However, You didn’t stop there. You continue to sustain us and provide for us. You give me everything I need for my life even when my life does not live up to Your standards. For my life, I thank you.
You have given Your very life for my salvation. You forgive my sins. You give me eternal life with You. You fill me with Your Spirit and strengthen me with Your Body and Blood. You hear my prayers and give me a place in Your ministry. For my salvation and new life in You, I thank You.
You have given us Your church through which You bless us with love and friendship as well as guidance and encouragement. You teach me and strengthen my faith through Your church. For Your church, especially Faith Lutheran Church, I thank You.
You send rain and provide sunlight for the crops. You give livestock and grain. You give strength to the farmer, the butcher, the factory worker, the delivery man, the shop keeper, and all those who work diligently under Your care to provide for me and all people. For food and all things I need to sustain my life, I thank You.
You created man and woman and made it that they would leave their mother and father and cling to each other in marriage. You give the blessing of children. You give parents, aunts, uncles, grandparents, grandchildren, and all members of our families. When we have no blood family, You provide a family in friends and Your church. For my family, I thank You.
I thank and praise You for all that You give us. May my heart always be grateful and my lips always praise Your name.
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 1460
1 Praise the Lord.
Praise the Lord, my soul.
2 I will praise the Lord all my life;
I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.
3 Do not put your trust in princes,
in human beings, who cannot save.
4 When their spirit departs, they return to the ground;
on that very day their plans come to nothing.
5 Blessed are those whose help is the God of Jacob,
whose hope is in the Lord their God.
6 He is the Maker of heaven and earth,
the sea, and everything in them—
he remains faithful forever.
7 He upholds the cause of the oppressed
and gives food to the hungry.
The Lord sets prisoners free,
8 the Lord gives sight to the blind,
the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down,
the Lord loves the righteous.
9 The Lord watches over the foreigner
and sustains the fatherless and the widow,
but he frustrates the ways of the wicked.
10 The Lord reigns forever,
your God, O Zion, for all generations.
Praise the Lord.
(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
Heavenly Father,
You sent your Word to bring us truth and your Spirit to make us holy. Through them, we come to know the mystery of Your life. We worship You, the one true God, one God in three Persons. We praise Your name for You are our mighty savior. We cling to You for You are our loving Father. We obey You for You are our majestic creator.
Yet, I confess that often my words and actions do not honor You. 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:
Dear Jesus,
As we approach the season of Advent, we remember that You are not a distant God. You came to us. The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. You humbled Yourself and lived with us for 33 years. You healed people. You forgave people. You raised people from the dead.
You poured out Your Spirit upon the world. I ask for Your presence. Fill my heart with Your Holy Spirit. Do not hide Your face from me, rather draw me near to You.
Heavenly Father, You bid us to come to You in prayer. You have said we can come to Your throne in confidence as a child comes to their Father. I thank you for inviting me, listening to me, and answering my prayers. Help me to continue to come to You in prayer every day, throughout the day.
You give us Your Word through which You reveal Yourself to us. Yet, Your Word is not mere print on a page or spoken sentences. It is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges our thoughts and the attitudes of our heart. Draw me to Your Word each day and through it, give me faith and strengthen me to live for You.
You also come to us in Your Word through the sacraments. In baptism, You wrote Your name on my heart and called me Your child. In communion, You give me Your very Body and Blood for the forgiveness of my sins and strengthening of my faith. May I live each day in the promise of my baptism and may I be nourished each week by Your Body and Blood.
Be with Faith Lutheran Church. Fill our worship services and Bible studies with Your presence. Move in us to create and strengthen faith, change hearts, and transform our minds. May Your Spirit work through us that those around us would feel and see Your presence through us and be drawn to You. Pour out Your Spirit upon Wesley Chapel and the surrounding areas and raise the spiritually dead to life.
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 143:1-12
1 Lord, hear my prayer,
listen to my cry for mercy;
in your faithfulness and righteousness
come to my relief.
2 Do not bring your servant into judgment,
for no one living is righteous before you.
3 The enemy pursues me,
he crushes me to the ground;
he makes me dwell in the darkness
like those long dead.
4 So my spirit grows faint within me;
my heart within me is dismayed.
5 I remember the days of long ago;
I meditate on all your works
and consider what your hands have done.
6 I spread out my hands to you;
I thirst for you like a parched land.
7 Answer me quickly, Lord;
my spirit fails.
Do not hide your face from me
or I will be like those who go down to the pit.
8 Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love,
for I have put my trust in you.
Show me the way I should go,
for to you I entrust my life.
9 Rescue me from my enemies, Lord,
for I hide myself in you.
10 Teach me to do your will,
for you are my God;
may your good Spirit
lead me on level ground.
11 For your name’s sake, Lord, preserve my life;
in your righteousness, bring me out of trouble.
12 In your unfailing love, silence my enemies;
destroy all my foes,
for I am your servant.
(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
When Jacob learned that there was grain in Egypt, he said to his sons, “Why do you just keep looking at each other?” He continued, “I have heard that there is grain in Egypt. Go down there and buy some for us, so that we may live and not die.” Then ten of Joseph’s brothers went down to buy grain from Egypt….
Now Joseph was the governor of the land, the person who sold grain to all its people. So when Joseph’s brothers arrived, they bowed down to him with their faces to the ground. As soon as Joseph saw his brothers, he recognized them, but he pretended to be a stranger and spoke harshly to them. – Genesis 42:1-3, 6-7
Sometimes brothers don’t get along. Sometimes the older brothers sell the younger one into slavery. Well, at least that’s what happened to Joseph. He had every reason to be angry at his brothers. He had every reason to exact revenge.
A great famine was upon the land and Jacob and his sons were running out of food. So, they went to the only place they could to get food, Egypt. There is where Joseph now was and he was in charge of the food distribution.
Joseph could have had his brothers arrested and thrown in jail, like he had been. He could have sent them away without food and let them starve. He doesn’t do either of these, though.
First, Joseph tests them.
Joseph hides his identity and accuses them of being spies and then forces them to bring Benjamin, the youngest brother (also Jacob’s new favorite). Once they bring Benjamin, Joseph treats them well and invites them to dinner. Then, however, he sends them home with grain and has one of his servant place Joseph’s silver cup in Benjamin’s bag. He then sends his steward to catch up to them and search their bags for the “stolen” cup. It is found, of course, so they are brought back and Joseph threatens Benjamin’s life as the one who “stole” the cup.
Will the brothers treat Benjamin as they did Joseph so long ago or have they changed? One of the brothers, Judah, offers himself in exchange for Benjamin. Joseph then knows that his brothers have changed.
Joseph then reveals who he is.
Joseph brings all the brothers in and tells them he is Joseph and is still alive. Were the brothers excited? Happy? Nope. Try scared out of their minds. They figure Joseph is now going to kill them all. But Joseph says,
And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will be no plowing and reaping. But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance. “So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God. – Genesis 45:5-8
Joseph not only forgives his brothers but shows that he understands that everything that happened was according to God’s will. God was saving lives and preserving his people. He was keeping His covenant. Even though it had been tough on Joseph, he realized that sometimes God takes people through hards times to serve His purposes.
Heavenly Father,
We do not always understand Your ways. Help us to trust that You are with us and are at work in our lives both when things are going the way we like and when they are not. Also, help us to forgive those who harm us just as Joseph forgave his brothers and as Jesus has forgiven us.
Amen.
You can read the full account of Joseph dealing with his brothers in Egypt in Genesis 42-45. Click here to read it.
In Christ’s Service,
Pastor Kurt
Heavenly Father,
Great is Your faithfulness, O God. Even when we fail, You are faithful. We praise Your Name and lift You up, along with Your angels. May Your praise never leave my lips for You, alone, are worthy of all honor and power and glory, forever and ever.
I confess that I have not always lived according to Your commands. I have not been Your faithful disciple nor followed Your teachings. 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:
Dear Jesus,
All Your ways are good. You are holy and righteous, loving and gracious, wise and pure. Help me to desire to learn Your commands and follow them faithfully, trusting that they are always the best choice. When I get proud and feel my ways are better, remind me that You are God and I am not. You are creator and I am Your creation.
When we follow Your ways, we do so not only for our benefit, but for the benefit of those around us. As we follow Your commands we love each other with a true love. We serve as Your hands and feet, providing for the needs around us according to Your will. May I bring glory to Your name and do good works that those who do not know You would praise You.
Lord, I cannot follow Your commands without Your Spirit working in me to will and work according to Your good pleasure. Be with me. Fill me with Your Spirit and grow in me the fruit of the Spirit that I may joyfully live a life of faith and love.
Be with Faith Lutheran Church. Make Your presence known among us. Be our head as You are the head of the church. Teach us, guide us, and direct us that we may, together, teach Your Word correctly and faithfully and show true love and compassion for each other and those outside the church.
Fill us with Your Spirit and give us the gifts used in ministry. To faithfully be Your church we need all the parts of the body to serve in their function and work together. Show us our gifts and help us to serve with sacrificial humility according to the gifts You have given us. Where we lack gifts, bring us new people to join our body and walk with us.
Through all our service and proclamation of Your Word, may You be glorified and may many come to receive salvation in You.
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 27
1 The Lord is my light and my salvation—
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life—
of whom shall I be afraid?
2 When the wicked advance against me
to devour me,
it is my enemies and my foes
who will stumble and fall.
3 Though an army besiege me,
my heart will not fear;
though war break out against me,
even then I will be confident.
4 One thing I ask from the Lord,
this only do I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life,
to gaze on the beauty of the Lord
and to seek him in his temple.
5 For in the day of trouble
he will keep me safe in his dwelling;
he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent
and set me high upon a rock.
6 Then my head will be exalted
above the enemies who surround me;
at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy;
I will sing and make music to the Lord.
7 Hear my voice when I call, Lord;
be merciful to me and answer me.
8 My heart says of you, “Seek his face!”
Your face, Lord, I will seek.
9 Do not hide your face from me,
do not turn your servant away in anger;
you have been my helper.
Do not reject me or forsake me,
God my Savior.
10 Though my father and mother forsake me,
the Lord will receive me.
11 Teach me your way, Lord;
lead me in a straight path
because of my oppressors.
12 Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes,
for false witnesses rise up against me,
spouting malicious accusations.
13 I remain confident of this:
I will see the goodness of the Lord
in the land of the living.
14 Wait for the Lord;
be strong and take heart
and wait for the Lord.
(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
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
Almighty and merciful God,
You break the power of evil and make all things new in Your Son Jesus Christ, the King of the universe. May all in heaven and earth proclaim Your glory and never cease to praise You.
I confess that I have not always lived in such as way as to bring You glory. 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 care for Your church and provide for her every need. One way You provide for the church is by calling pastors to preach Your Word, administer Your sacraments, and care for Your people.
I pray for pastors everywhere. Protect them from all harm. Defend them against temptation. Guide them and put Your words in their mouths. I ask that You would continue to raise new men to serve as pastors and care for Your church as You have through the ages.
I especially lift up Pastor Kurt. Watch over him. Help him to teach and preach Your Word faithfully. Guide him in his leadership. Strengthen him in body and soul. Send Your angels to protect him from evil and lead him away from temptation.
Give Pastor Kurt wisdom as he councils us and understanding as he studies the Scriptures. Give him the heart of a servant and a passion to reach the lost. Give him times of rest as well.
I also pray for Melissa, his wife, and Kaylee and Eli, his children. bless them and keep them from all harm. Strengthen their family and Kurt and Melissa’s marriage. Provide for them and give them joy.
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 139
1 You have searched me, Lord,
and you know me.
2 You know when I sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar.
3 You discern my going out and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways.
4 Before a word is on my tongue
you, Lord, know it completely.
5 You hem me in behind and before,
and you lay your hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too lofty for me to attain.
7 Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
10 even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.
11 If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me
and the light become night around me,”
12 even the darkness will not be dark to you;
the night will shine like the day,
for darkness is as light to you.
13 For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place,
when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my unformed body;
all the days ordained for me were written in your book
before one of them came to be.
17 How precious to me are your thoughts, God!
How vast is the sum of them!
18 Were I to count them,
they would outnumber the grains of sand—
when I awake, I am still with you.
19 If only you, God, would slay the wicked!
Away from me, you who are bloodthirsty!
20 They speak of you with evil intent;
your adversaries misuse your name.
21 Do I not hate those who hate you, Lord,
and abhor those who are in rebellion against you?
22 I have nothing but hatred for them;
I count them my enemies.
23 Search me, God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
24 See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.
(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
Heavenly Father,
We praise you with our lips, and with our lives and hearts. Our very existence is a gift from you; to you, we offer all that we have and are.
I confess that I have not loved You with my whole heart and I have not loved my neighbor as myself. I have often not shared the good news of Your salvation with those who desperately need to hear it.
(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:
Dear Jesus,
You send Your church out into the world to make disciples of all nations. Create in us an irresistible urge to tell others about You. Help us to have an eternal perspective that sees the desperate need of those who do not have faith to receive Your salvation.
Create opportunities for us to share Your story. Make us bold to speak openly about You in those opportunities. When we do, give us the words to say and help us to trust You with the results.
Lord, we pray for those who do not know You. Prepare their hearts to hear Your Word. Bless their hearing of Your Word that they would receive faith and receive eternal life through Jesus Christ.
Be with Faith Lutheran Church. Keep us from becoming content to simply gather together without feeling the urgency to then go into the world with the Good News. As we go into the world in community and outreach events, bless those activities that we would have meaningful conversations with people and be able to speak with the about You.
Be with me, personally. Help me to recognize the relationships I have where the other person needs to hear about You. Take away my fear and open my mouth to speak about You. I especially lift up the following people:
(Pray for people by name whom you know and who don’t believe in Jesus.)
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 34
1 I will extol the Lord at all times;
his praise will always be on my lips.
2 I will glory in the Lord;
let the afflicted hear and rejoice.
3 Glorify the Lord with me;
let us exalt his name together.
4 I sought the Lord, and he answered me;
he delivered me from all my fears.
5 Those who look to him are radiant;
their faces are never covered with shame.
6 This poor man called, and the Lord heard him;
he saved him out of all his troubles.
7 The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him,
and he delivers them.
8 Taste and see that the Lord is good;
blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.
9 Fear the Lord, you his holy people,
for those who fear him lack nothing.
10 The lions may grow weak and hungry,
but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.
11 Come, my children, listen to me;
I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
12 Whoever of you loves life
and desires to see many good days,
13 keep your tongue from evil
and your lips from telling lies.
14 Turn from evil and do good;
seek peace and pursue it.
15 The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,
and his ears are attentive to their cry;
16 but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil,
to blot out their name from the earth.
17 The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them;
he delivers them from all their troubles.
18 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted
and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
19 The righteous person may have many troubles,
but the Lord delivers him from them all;
20 he protects all his bones,
not one of them will be broken.
21 Evil will slay the wicked;
the foes of the righteous will be condemned.
22 The Lord will rescue his servants;
no one who takes refuge in him will be condemned.
(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
“For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers,”
“Do I have to go to church?”
If you have kids and attend church, you have probably heard this before. If you grew up in family that attended church, you probably have said this. While some may, at time, lament “going to” church, church is a good thing.
First, we should clarify that when we talk about “going to” church, we are really referring to attending a worship service, which is a blessing in itself. When the Bible talks about church, though, it almost always uses the term in relation to the believers.
God is a God of relationships. He created marriage and families, He formed Israel into a nation, and He sent His Son to die for us that our relationship with Jesus could be restored and made right. Even in His very nature (Trinity) God exists in perfect ministry. God also gave us the church.
As the church, we have a group of fellow believers to gather with, confide in, and build up by the grace of God.
I am thankful for the church because it is place where I can hear the Word of God. I can also be built up, admonished, and strengthened.
I don’t have to walk this faith-lilfe alone and neither do you. We have the church Praise the Lord!
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
Heavenly Father,
You are the one true God. You created the heavens and the earth and all that is in them. You are almighty, all-knowing, all-seeing. You are King of kings and Lord of lords. Who is man that You should be mindful of him? Yet, You desire to know us, forgive us, and provide for us. You hear us when we pray and You answer. I thank and praise You that You would hear me, despite my sin.
You are a God of mercy. Therefore, I confess that I am a sinner in need of forgiveness. My heart is ever-wandering and deeds are selfish and prideful.
(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:
Dear Jesus,
You could have come to kings and queens. You could have surrounded Yourself with a huge entourage with more people than could be counted. Yet, You chose 12 ordinary people. For three years You taught them, trained them, and cared for them. You made them a part of Your ministry on earth.
Give me a heart that desires to be with You, that heeds the call, “Come, follow me.” Help me to grow to know You and Your ways. May Your Spirit shine in my life that those around me would see You through my love and service towards others.
I pray for the Growth Group ministry at Faith Lutheran Church. May we hunger to gather together to study Your Word and pray together. May we long to know You more deeply and know each other with authentic love.
As we begin to launch the Growth Group ministry, I pray that the Growth Groups would be a source of great friendships that last for a lifetime. I ask that through the Growth Groups all those who come to Faith would grow in their knowledge and understanding of You and that they would learn to walk in Your ways and share Your love with others.
I pray that everyone who comes to Faith would see the great benefits of being a part of a Growth Group and desire to be an active part of a Growth Group.
Please bless the Growth Groups and all those who participate in them.
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 19
1 The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
2 Day after day they pour forth speech;
night after night they reveal knowledge.
3 They have no speech, they use no words;
no sound is heard from them.
4 Yet their voice goes out into all the earth,
their words to the ends of the world.
In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun.
5 It is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber,
like a champion rejoicing to run his course.
6 It rises at one end of the heavens
and makes its circuit to the other;
nothing is deprived of its warmth.
7 The law of the Lord is perfect,
refreshing the soul.
The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy,
making wise the simple.
8 The precepts of the Lord are right,
giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the Lord are radiant,
giving light to the eyes.
9 The fear of the Lord is pure,
enduring forever.
The decrees of the Lord are firm,
and all of them are righteous.
10 They are more precious than gold,
than much pure gold;
they are sweeter than honey,
than honey from the honeycomb.
11 By them your servant is warned;
in keeping them there is great reward.
12 But who can discern their own errors?
Forgive my hidden faults.
13 Keep your servant also from willful sins;
may they not rule over me.
Then I will be blameless,
innocent of great transgression.
14 May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart
be pleasing in your sight,
Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.
(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
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