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, February 4, 2019

Sunday Pastoral Prayer (Feb. 3) Athens First UMC


Jesus, thank you for being so much more than our limited understanding. Thank you for being our Lord, Savior, Redeemer, Healer, Shepherd, Friend, and King. Forgive us for when we limit you or put you into the box of our own making.

Help us to be humble enough to admit when we misrepresent who you truly are. And thank you for those times of openness where we can see you in new and fresh ways.

We also confess those times where we have labeled others in ways that are not reflective of who they truly are. For those times when we have judged others based on our own limited information and biased opinions, forgive us and help us to see the good in others.

Thank you for seeing beyond our own pettiness and selfish ways. Thank you for seeing who we truly are, people who are loved and made in your image.

And so we pray for reconciliation where there are misunderstandings. We pray for harmony where there is discord. We pray for community where there is division.

As we prepare to receive the Sacrament of Holy Communion this morning, help us to leave behind our limited views of you and each other and open our hearts and our minds to receive you anew.

In your name we offer this prayer even as we pray the prayer you taught us to say together…

“Our Father, who art in heaven…”

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