Pastoral Prayer | 5.1.22

 Here is my Pastoral Prayer for this coming Lord’s Day. It is inspired by “Christ Alone”, from the Valley of Vision. (Originally Posted on CoffeeTime's Blog.)

Lord God, King over all the Universe,

Great is your goodness and great is your love. It was your plan and will from the beginning to make Christ glorious and beloved in heaven, where he is now ascended, where one day all the elect will behold his glory and love and glorify Him forever.

Lord, in your goodness, we see just how marvelous your plan was. Your plan to rescue the souls of man, in order to reconcile us back to you. We come to you humbly, as we have transgressed your law. We know where we have broken your law at just one place we know that it is a transgression of the whole law. In your mercy, forgive us. In your grace, restore us.

Remind us of the day that we were saved by you, the day you overwhelmed us with your perfect salvation. When we are filled with pride, remind us of how low we were when you found us. When we think we know better, show us just how little we know. When we think that we are living a perfect life, break us with just how mistaken we are. Lord rebuke us. Humble us. We seek to go our own way, call us back to you. And when we do not listen to your voice, and when we harden our hearts, reach out with your great staff, and wring us back to the fold. For though our hearts seek a moment of ruling over a little mud puddle, pull us by your great hand out of the muck and mire and cleanse us.  

In this world you have given us a beginning we do not deserve, but we look forward to the day of perfection to come. Until that day, let us study your word and stand for discipline. Let us worship out of love for Christ and your works. Give to us your spirit, that we would continue on through this life.

Give to us strength to live after Christ’s example.
Give us strength to love those around us.
Give us strength to be gentle to those around us. Let the people around us see Christ through our actions.  

(Section for the needs and requests of my congregation)

Father, we journey to your kingdom. We travel day by day, getting closer to your bountiful kingdom, where we will know true joy, true love, and true peace. Grant to us a willing spirit to sustain us for the journey ahead.

In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit we pray, Amen.