A United Methodist Pastor's Theological Reflections

"But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory (nikos) through our Lord Jesus Christ." - I Corinthians 15:57


Wednesday, March 9, 2016

Pastoral Prayer (March 6) - Athens First UMC


O God, thank you for these testimonies of how you are at work through the people of our church in so many ways. Thank you for sending us Jesus who gave us the example of what it means to serve others and to do good by all the means we can.

We are eagerly awaiting the beginning of our new “Athens First Saturday” outreach next month and the many ways that our church will be able to be a blessing in our community. Thank you for our Missions Team and the planning they are putting into this new outreach so that we will be ready to serve our community in loving and practical ways.

Dear God, even beyond the ways we serve others as a church family, prompt us to always do good in the ways we relate to the people around us throughout the week. Help us to be Monday through Sunday Christians and to always seek ways to offer a helping hand to someone in need.

We can see so much good being done all around us, like our Growing Tree preschool staff who made pancakes for everyone in our building, the Stephen Minister who offered a listening ear, the parishioner who gave her pastor a chocolate bunny rabbit, the friend who is trying to help a family member find full time employment, and the church member who volunteered to make coffee for a group who needed to use our church for a meeting yesterday.

O God, thank you for all the good that is done week after week through our church. Remind us that all of these good things are not in vain. They are helping to build your kingdom here on earth as it is in heaven.

Together, we pray the words that Jesus taught his disciples and now invites us to say together,

“Our Father, who art in heaven…”

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