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, January 22, 2024

Sunday Pastoral Prayer (Jan. 21)


Sunday Pastoral Prayer
January 21, 2024


Gracious God, thank you for the good news of the good news. You invite us to receive the good news of your salvation right now, in this moment. Not tomorrow. Not next year. But right now! Now is the time!

 

And so, we take these next moments to receive anew the good news of Jesus’ saving grace and redeeming love. 

 

We receive anew your forgiveness because we don’t need to allow regrets to define us. We receive anew your hope because cynicism has been getting us nowhere. We receive anew your joy because sorrow has been weighing us down. We receive anew your direction and guidance because we have run out of energy in following dead ends. We receive anew your gift of salvation because this alone is what breaks the power of sin and death. 

 

O God, thank you for the good news of Jesus and for this moment when we are invited to say, “yes” to you! 

 

Today, we pray for those who for those who are in need of some good news in this moment. Those who are facing health and medical challenges. Those who have recently lost loved ones. Those who are facing a time of transition in their lives. Those who are feeling discouraged and wondering what the future holds. Those who have been waiting and waiting and waiting for their prayers to be answered. 

 

Thank you for reminding us today of the good news of the good news. Your heavenly kingdom of love, justice, and mercy isn’t just something for us to look forward to in the future, but it has already begun through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus!

 

It is through his name, that we pray together…

 

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

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