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


Monday, September 19, 2016

Pastoral Prayer (September 18) - Athens First UMC

[Our 10:30 worship service and our Connect Time of refreshments are now being held in our large Fellowship Hall due to our capital improvements this fall. It was a great morning together as guest conductor, Luke Frazier and our choir blessed us with several inspiring anthems. Our 9:00 am service and 12:15 pm Worship U service continue to meet in the Chapel.]

O God, this morning we are reminded that wherever we gather for worship, we are in your presence. Whether it be in a sanctuary with pews and an organ, or in a chapel, or in a university auditorium as a church is being rebuilt from a fire, or in a church Fellowship Hall as sanctuary renovations are being made, we are always your church because whenever two or three are gathered in your name, you are in our midst!

Just as we prayed over each of the areas of our church where work is being done this fall, we also ask your blessing to be upon this large Fellowship Hall. We pray that our Connect Time and our 10:30 Sunday service that will be held here over the next couple of months will be a holy place as we gather as your people.

We also ask your blessing to be upon the many groups who use this space throughout the week like the Korean Church, AA, our Boy Scout Troup, Monday Lunch, Athens First Saturday outreach, the Missions Team, & our FOCUS small group. O God, may this room always live up to it’s name as a place of fellowship for our congregation and the people in our community.

O God, hear the prayers of your people as we worship in this place today. There are many different kinds of prayers being lifted up this mornings, prayers for healing, prayers of joy, prayers to make it one day at a time, prayers on behalf of ourselves, prayers on behalf of others, prayers for our world, and yes, even wailing prayers of tears and deep anguish as our hearts break over a particular situation or need.

O God, hear the prayers of your people as we lift them silently to you...

And now, Lord, teach us to pray the prayer you taught us to say together,


“Our Father, who art in heaven…”

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