Sunday (Feb. 25/Lent) Pastoral Prayer

Sunday, Feb. 25, 2024

Beulah UMC & Oak Grove UMC

Gracious God, just as the cross of Jesus has been our morning star shedding beams around us, lead us to share that same love and mercy with the people we encounter. 

 

May the same self-giving love of Jesus lead us to be witnesses of your good news stretching out to the four corners of the world, the four corners of our nation, the four corners of our local community, and the four corners of our homes. Wherever we go, remind us to share the love of Jesus with others, through our words, and even more importantly, through our actions. 

 

Today, we are especially grateful for those who have shared the good news of Jesus’ love with us; Sunday School teachers, pastors, parents, grandparents, and friends. Thank you for your cross which always reminds us that your love is too wonderful to keep to ourselves. It’s meant to be shared. 

 

As we think about spreading your love throughout the world, we are even more mindful of United Methodist missionaries who are serving in more than 125 countries. May they know of our love and prayers for them as they share the good news of Jesus in a variety of cultures, languages, and nationalities. 

 

We also lift up to you those who are in need of your love this day; the people on our church’s prayer list, those who are grieving the loss of a loved one, friends and family members who have health concerns, and so many other people who are on our hearts and minds this day. 

 

In this season of Lent, keep us near your cross for it truly is a precious fountain free to all, a healing stream flowing from Calvary’s mountain. We pray this in the name of Jesus who died on the cross for the sake of the world and who invites us to 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.