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, August 17, 2015

Pastoral Prayer (August 16) - Athens First UMC


Lord, we know you are with us. Guide and direct us in all that we do. Help us to be a Spirit filled church.

Remind us of this prayer, O God when we’re behind the steering wheel, when we enter the doors of this church building, when we stand outside this church building giving out water bottles to college students, when we tell our children to have a great first day of school, when we visit a friend who is going through a difficult time.

O God, in everything we do, help us to always be ready to live out our faith, not relying on our strength and abilities, but on your indwelling Holy Spirit at work in our lives. Help us to have a varsity faith and letter in a Spirit-filled life.

Just as your Holy Spirit empowered our mission team to make a difference in Nicaragua this summer, may your Holy Spirit empower our church to make a difference right here on College Street as we give out water bottles to college students this Saturday. We pray that this simple display of kindness will let our community know that we are a church with open hearts, open minds, and open doors.

We pray for those who are in particular need of your indwelling Holy Spirit this day. We think of those who feel alone, who are not feeling well, and who are struggling to make ends meet. Send them a special sense of your Holy Spirit that they would be comforted in knowing that you are with them offering guidance and strength.

We are reminded of Jesus’ words when he said that when two or three are gathered together, you are in the midst of them. Send us your Holy Spirit, O God, even as we pray the words that Jesus taught us to say together…


Our Father, who art in heaven…

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