Monday, April 15, 2024

Sunday (April 14) Pastoral Prayer

April 14, 2024
Beulah UMC & Oak Grove UMC

O God, we are only two weeks into the Easter Season, and you continue to reveal yourself to us in ways that remind us that Jesus really did rise from the dead. The Risen Christ truly is present in surprising and mysterious ways. And so, we continue to sing our Easter alleluias and celebrate your victory over sin and death through the cross and the empty tomb. And like our prayer hymn says so beautifully, “O may our love to thee, pure, warm, and changeless be, a living fire.” Thank you, O God that not even a solar eclipse can keep us from seeing your light and having a living fire faith.

 

We pray today for those who are going through a time of darkness. We think of friends and loved ones who are facing medical challenges. May your resurrection light surround them with your healing love.

 

We think of those who are grieving the loss of a loved one and have heavy hearts. May your resurrection light surround them with your comforting love.

 

We lift up to you those who are experiencing financial problems and are finding it difficult to care for their basic needs. May your resurrection light surround them with your sustaining love.

 

This weekend, we especially lift up to you the heightened tensions in the Middle East between Israel and Iran. May your resurrection light surround all of our world leaders that they would make wise decisions that will eventually lead to a more peaceful resolution of the current crisis.  

 

And whenever we face times of darkness in our personal lives, may our faith always look up to Jesus Christ, God, Son, Savior. The one who fed 5,000 people with just five loaves and two fish with food to spare. The one who helped the disciples catch so many fish that it tore their nets. The one who called us to lay down those same nets and become fishers of people. And the one who taught us to say this 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.


No comments:

Post a Comment