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, June 3, 2024

Sunday (June 2) Pastoral Prayer

June 2, 2024
Beulah UMC & Oak Grove UMC

O God, thank you for this opportunity to not just hear a sermon about prayer, but to actually now, spend some time in prayer.

 

As we begin this new summer series on the Life of David, we pray that these Old Testament stories of faith will lead us into a closer relationship with you. Our audacious prayer today is that this series will help us to grow in what it means to be a person after your own heart, just like David sought to do in his life.

 

And just us David had his ups and downs along his faith journey, be with us whenever we stumble along the way. When we sin against you, remind us to learn from our mistakes, seek reconciliation, and receive anew your mercy and forgiveness. And when we are faithful in living out who you have called us to be, remind us to rejoice and celebrate your goodness and many blessings for you are a gracious and loving God.

 

As we seek to be a people after your own heart, we lift up to you those who are close to your heart this day; those who are experiencing health concerns, those who are worried about the future, those who are struggling to care for their needs, those who are grieving and have heavy hearts, and those who are low on hope and in need of encouragement and a sign of your presence.

 

We lift all of these needs to you, not to mention our own personal prayers that are on our hearts and minds this day. Grant each person here today, including this preacher, an extra assurance that with you, we have more than enough peace, more than enough grace, more than enough mercy, more than enough hope, and more than enough strength to face any situation that may come our way.

 

With you, all things are possible, and this is why you call us to pray boldly and with confidence these words that Jesus taught 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.


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