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, August 21, 2017

Pastoral Prayer (August 20) Athens First UMC


[Following yesterday's 10:30 worship service, Rick Seiter held a greeter orientation meeting in our sanctuary. We are adding new greeter stations to our weekly Sunday morning schedule so we need many more people to help in this ministry. If you are interested in being a greeter, call the church office and we will help you find a station where you can offer people a warm welcome on Sunday mornings.]


You are faithful, O God! Thank you for this first book of the Bible that tells the story of how you were faithful to the covenant you made with Abraham to form a new people so that they would become a blessing to the world.

For these past several Sundays, we nervously watched your promise to Abraham teeter on the brink of disaster. We laughed when you said that Sarah who was past child rearing years would end up having a baby. We were angry when it looked like Abraham was going to sacrifice their child. We were frustrated that it took several long chapters for Jacob to finally get his act together, and our hearts sank in despair when Joseph’s brothers threw him into a waterless cistern to die.

Through all of these adversities, you made a way for your people. Sarah became pregnant. You sent an angel to spare Isaac’s life. Jacob finally got his act together. And Joseph rose to prominence and saved his family from a terrible famine.

Thank you for the Book of Genesis and it’s amazing story of how you were faithful in keeping the covenant that you had made with Abraham.

Remind us of these Book of Genesis stories and how you are always faithful especially as we begin a new school year, as we go about our daily tasks, as we await the results of a medical exam, as we consider serving in a ministry through the church, as we share our faith with a neighbor, and as we speak out against racism and hatred in all of their various forms.

O God, more than ever, you are calling on your people in our day and age to continue to live out the covenant you made with Abraham so long ago to be a blessing to the world. Thank you for entrusting us with this sacred calling and purpose. And now, as your covenant people, we pray the words that Jesus taught his disciples and invites us to pray together saying…


“Our Father, who art in heaven…”

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