psalms Archives - Faith Lutheran Church, Wesley Chapel

Kurt Steinbrueck June 9, 2021

Blog praise, prayer, psalms

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Praying with Jesus: Praying the Psalms

“Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” – Ephesians 5:18-20

Have you ever felt like your prayers were old and stale?

You can categorize prayers into the two categories of “prayers from the heart” and prewritten prayers.

Prayers “from the heart”
The idea of what some people call “praying from the heart” is that you pray what’s on your heart rather than something that is prewritten. These can be excellent prayers sometimes, and certainly, God encourages us to bring everything that is on our hearts to Him. However, sometimes it’s good to pray a prewritten prayer and can actually be quite refreshing.

Why Prewritten Prayers?

The reason I keep putting “praying from your heart” in quotes is that the name implies that we aren’t praying from our heart if we pray a prewritten pray. This isn’t true. In fact, there are many good reasons to pray prewritten prayers.

It provides some help – The truth is that while praying from the heart sounds great, sometimes people struggle to do it. They feel like they don’t know what to pray. This can especially be true when you’re asked to pray with or in front of others. A prewritten pray can help you through those times.

It gives new ideas – Another reality of praying from the heart is that often our prayers become repetitive. Time after time, we find ourselves praying the same things. There’s nothing wrong with this, but there may be some things to pray for which you never think about. A prewritten prayer can make you aware of new things to pray for.

It gives new language – Similar to what I wrote above, when praying from the heart, our prayers can not only pray for the same thing over and over, but we may find that we use the same words. This may not only be true from one time praying to the next but even multiple times in the same prayer. Prewritten prayers can give us new words and new ways of praying for things.

The Lord’s Prayer
The most common prewritten prayer people pray is the Lord’s prayer. It is absolutely wonderful that Jesus gave us this prayer which, though simple, includes everything we need to pray for.

Praying the Psalms
Not only did God give us the Lord’s Prayer, but He also gave us an entire book of the Bible for our prayers. The book of Psalms is used by many as a prayer book. It gives a variety of words and topics to pray. It also gives us different ways to pray, such as praise, confession, lament, and requests.

Give it a try.

In fact, here’s a good Psalm to start with.

Lord, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!

You have set your glory
in the heavens.
2 Through the praise of children and infants
you have established a stronghold against your enemies,
to silence the foe and the avenger.
3 When I consider your heavens,
the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
which you have set in place,
4 what is mankind that you are mindful of them,
human beings that you care for them?

5 You have made them a little lower than the angels
and crowned them with glory and honor.
6 You made them rulers over the works of your hands;
you put everything under their feet:
7 all flocks and herds,
and the animals of the wild,
8 the birds in the sky,
and the fish in the sea,
all that swim the paths of the seas.

9 Lord, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!

-Psalm 8

Amen.

In Christ’s Service,

Pastor Kurt

Kurt Steinbrueck March 19, 2020

Uncategorized Comfort, Guidance, Provision, Psalm 23, psalms, The Lord is My Shepherd

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My Guide, My Provider, My Comfort

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.” – Psalm 23:1-3

Do you feel anxious, today?

I love Psalm 23. It’s such a warm and comforting poem that not only helps people to feel better but assures them of the reality of their lives because of God’s love for them.

Do sheep wander around wondering what they will eat or where they will sleep? No.

They are guided by their shepherd who cares for them so they don’t have to worry about those things. Neither do you. Your shepherd, the Lord, will guide you and care for you as well. So, you can rest and be restored.

So, let’s take a moment to read all of Psalm 23 and then give God your anxieties in prayer.

Psalm 23

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
    He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
    He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
    for his name’s sake.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
    I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
    your rod and your staff,
    they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me
    in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
    my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
    all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
    forever.

My Dear Shepherd,

You guide me and provide for me so I will not worry. You comfort me and heal my wounds. You are my protection in danger so I will not fear. Lord, take my anxieties.

(Pray about the things you are worried about.)

Continue to remind me that You are there with me and give me peace.

Amen.

In Christ’s Service,

Pastor Kurt

Kurt Steinbrueck November 28, 2019

Special Posts 21 Days of Prayer, prayer, psalms, thank you, Thankfulness, Thanksgiving, The Lords Prayer

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21 Days of Prayer – Bonus Day

21 Days of prayer - Bonus Day

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

Kurt Steinbrueck November 27, 2019

Special Posts 21 Days of Prayer, Guidance, prayer, psalms, The Lords Prayer

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21 Days of Prayer – Day 21

21 DAYS OF PRAYER - DAY 21

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

Kurt Steinbrueck November 26, 2019

Special Posts 21 Days of Prayer, Faithful living, Faithfulness, Following Jesus, Obeying God, prayer, psalms, The Lords Prayer

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21 Days of Prayer – Day 20

21 DAYS OF PRAYER - DAY 20

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

Kurt Steinbrueck November 25, 2019

Special Posts 21 Days of Prayer, community, evangelism, Faith, prayer, psalms, Relationships, The Lords Prayer, Wesley Chapel

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21 Days of Prayer – Day 19

21 Days of Prayer - Day 19

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

Kurt Steinbrueck November 24, 2019

Special Posts 21 Days of Prayer, Pastor Kurt, prayer, psalms, The Lords Prayer

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21 Days of Prayer – Day 18

21 Days of Prayer - Day 18

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

Kurt Steinbrueck November 23, 2019

Special Posts 21 Days of Prayer, evangelism, outreach, prayer, psalms, Sharing the Gospel, The Lords Prayer

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21 Days of Prayer – Day 17

21 DAYS OF PRAYER - DAY 17

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

Kurt Steinbrueck November 21, 2019

Special Posts 21 Days of Prayer, confession, grace, prayer, psalms, rest, saved by grace, The Lords Prayer

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21 Days of Prayer – Day 15

21 Days of Prayer - Day 15

Heavenly Father,

Your steadfast love never ceases; Your mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness, o Lord.

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 do not treat me as I deserve based on my sin, but according to Your great mercy and grace. You do this not because I have earned it, but because of Your great love.

Help me to trust in Your promises, especially the promise that I am saved not by what I have done, but by what Jesus has done. Remind me again and again that Your mercy is greater than my sin. When the devil claims I’m not good enough, strengthen my faith say, “Yes, you are right, but my salvation is not because of how good I am, but Jesus work on the cross.”

Help me to rest in truth that my works have no role in my salvation. Give me peace.

Teach me to trust in Your mercy and, therefore, to gladly and regularly come to You in repentance, confessing my sin to receive Your forgiveness.

Be with Faith Lutheran Church. Help us to faithfully proclaim salvation by faith in Jesus apart from works. Help us to bring the message that brings rest to the weary soul and comfort to the tormented mind. May we be a church where people find Sabbath rest in the grace of Jesus Christ.

Lord, give us attitudes and actions that reflect Your grace and mercy. Help us to never look down upon anyone for their sin, as though we ourselves aren’t covered from head to toe in sin. Rather, help us to be a church where people can freely confess their sins not only to You through prayer, but to each other, that we migh support one another and proclaim God’s grace to each other.

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 51

Have mercy on me, O God,
according to your steadfast love;
according to your abundant mercy
blot out my transgressions.
2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,
and cleanse me from my sin!

3 For I know my transgressions,
and my sin is ever before me.
4 Against you, you only, have I sinned
and done what is evil in your sight,
so that you may be justified in your words
and blameless in your judgment.
5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity,
and in sin did my mother conceive me.
6 Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being,
and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart.

7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;
wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
8 Let me hear joy and gladness;
let the bones that you have broken rejoice.
9 Hide your face from my sins,
and blot out all my iniquities.
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God,
and renew a right spirit within me.
11 Cast me not away from your presence,
and take not your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
and uphold me with a willing spirit.

13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways,
and sinners will return to you.
14 Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God,
O God of my salvation,
and my tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness.
15 O Lord, open my lips,
and my mouth will declare your praise.
16 For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it;
you will not be pleased with a burnt offering.
17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

18 Do good to Zion in your good pleasure;
build up the walls of Jerusalem;
19 then will you delight in right sacrifices,
in burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings;
then bulls will be offered on your altar.

(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

Kurt Steinbrueck November 20, 2019

Special Posts 21 Days of Prayer, love your neighbor, prayer, psalms, Service, Serving, The Lords Prayer

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21 Days of Prayer – Day 14

21 DAYS OF PRAYER - DAY 14

Almighty God, to whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hidden: cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you and worthily magnify your holy name, through Christ our Lord.

(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,

In Mark 10:45 You said, “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” You, the Son of God, who more than any other person deserves to be served and praised humbled Yourself and served us.

Give me the heart of a servant. Help me to love my neighbor and serve their needs. Give me the wisdom to create time in my daily schedule that I would have room in my day to serve others. Take away my selfishness that I would be willing to put aside my laziness and personal agenda and be willing to give of myself for those in need.

Give me eyes to see the needs of those around me. Help me to be attentive to the subtle or obvious cries for help and seek ways to meet the needs of my neighbors. As I do so, give me a humble heart that would not seek to gain personal gain or glory for these acts of service, but rather give all glory to You that others may see my works and praise Your name.

Be with Faith Lutheran Church and its members. Help us to serve one another in love and faithfulness. Then move in us that, as a group, we would find ways to serve those in the community, especially those who are far from 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 10

1 Why, Lord, do you stand far off?
Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?

2 In his arrogance the wicked man hunts down the weak,
who are caught in the schemes he devises.
3 He boasts about the cravings of his heart;
he blesses the greedy and reviles the Lord.
4 In his pride the wicked man does not seek him;
in all his thoughts there is no room for God.
5 His ways are always prosperous;
your laws are rejected by him;
he sneers at all his enemies.
6 He says to himself, “Nothing will ever shake me.”
He swears, “No one will ever do me harm.”

7 His mouth is full of lies and threats;
trouble and evil are under his tongue.
8 He lies in wait near the villages;
from ambush he murders the innocent.
His eyes watch in secret for his victims;
9 like a lion in cover he lies in wait.
He lies in wait to catch the helpless;
he catches the helpless and drags them off in his net.
10 His victims are crushed, they collapse;
they fall under his strength.
11 He says to himself, “God will never notice;
he covers his face and never sees.”

12 Arise, Lord! Lift up your hand, O God.
Do not forget the helpless.
13 Why does the wicked man revile God?
Why does he say to himself,
“He won’t call me to account”?
14 But you, God, see the trouble of the afflicted;
you consider their grief and take it in hand.
The victims commit themselves to you;
you are the helper of the fatherless.
15 Break the arm of the wicked man;
call the evildoer to account for his wickedness
that would not otherwise be found out.

16 The Lord is King for ever and ever;
the nations will perish from his land.
17 You, Lord, hear the desire of the afflicted;
you encourage them, and you listen to their cry,
18 defending the fatherless and the oppressed,
so that mere earthly mortals
will never again strike terror.

(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

psalms

Praying with Jesus: Praying the Psalms

My Guide, My Provider, My Comfort

21 Days of prayer - Bonus Day

21 DAYS OF PRAYER - DAY 21

21 DAYS OF PRAYER - DAY 20

21 Days of Prayer - Day 19

21 Days of Prayer - Day 18

21 DAYS OF PRAYER - DAY 17

21 Days of Prayer - Day 15

21 DAYS OF PRAYER - DAY 14

Faith Lutheran Church in Wesley Chapel, FL serving Lutz, Zephyrhills, Land O’ Lakes, and New Tampa, FL