Pastoral Prayer (April 22/Music Sunday) Athens First UMC

[Our Call to Worship on Music Sunday began with Psalm 100, “Make a joyful noise to the Lord!” Our several music ministry teams helped us to do just that during our 10:30 worship service yesterday. A big thank you to our Chancel Choir, Bell Choir, & Worship U Praise Band for offering their gift of music to the glory of God. On top of all of the wonderful music, we also recognized 7 graduates. See photo below. For discussion questions related to our Colossians scripture reading which focuses on the importance of music as it relates to our faith, click here.]

[Our graduates being recognized.]

O God, you have blessed our church with the beautiful gift of music. Thank you for singers and musicians who help us to honor and glorify you through our worship services.

Thank you for the many concerts that are held here through the School of Music and for the awesome St. Nicholas Christmas cantata that our church performed this past December. What a joy to see so many people in the community come and hear inspiring music here in our church.

We pray for the Anointed Gospel choir who will be here for a concert next week and for our choir who will be singing the following Sunday night for a special district event. O God, thank you for the gift of music in this place.

Gracious God, you have given us the gift of music to help us celebrate the many blessings in our lives like good health, family, friends, graduation, a new home, a new job opportunity, answered prayers, and most importantly the good news of our Easter faith.

You have also given us the gift of music to help us express our deepest longings to you and those things which weigh our hearts down. And so we pray for those who are in need of your healing, for those who are lonely, those who are without work, those who are in need of direction, and those who are going through a difficult and challenging time in their lives.  O God, you give us music for these times as well. 

And so whatever the song you have for us in this moment, help us to hear the melody so that we can be in rhythm with you. We pray this in the name of Christ who taught us to pray together,

“Our Father, who art in heaven…”