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, April 3, 2017

Pastoral Prayer (April 2) - Athens First UMC


[The humble servants who prepared for our Monday Lunch outreach today probably won't make the front cover of any newspapers, nor will monuments be erected in their honor. They are simply living out their faith in quiet and humble ways like serving a meal for the people in our community. St. Andrew's cross which was our focus in worship, symbolizes Christ's call for us to live out our faith in humble and sacrificial ways. Thank you, Monday Lunch volunteers for your humble service!]


O God, at Christmas, you humbled yourself by becoming one with us through the birth of Jesus Christ. Throughout his ministry, Christ humbled himself by serving others. And through his suffering and death on a cross, he showed us the ultimate humility by offering his life for the sins of the world.

Thank you for St. Andrew’s cross that reminds us of what it means to be humble as we live out our faith. Teach us what it means to serve others in small and humble ways.

Help us to give thanks for the humble ways that you bless us, like the church member who picks up bulletins to take to our homebound members. Like the volunteer at the hospital who helped me to find a meeting room by walking down several hallways with me. Like the little Methodist who gave me a picture of Jesus’s cross and included the words, “Jesus loves you forever and ever.” Like our boy scout troupe who will be cleaning windows and around our church next Sunday afternoon.

O God, you bless us again and again in so many humble ways. Help us to notice these blessings and pass them forward so that others may be blessed.

Hear our humble prayers to you as we lift up to you those who are ill, those who are feeling lonely, college students in these final weeks of the semester, pastors as they work on their Easter sermons, and all who are going through times of challenge. O God, we lift these humble prayers to you.

In humility, we join together in praying the words that Jesus taught his disciples, and now teaches us to pray.


“Our Father…”

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