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 7, 2023

Pastoral Prayer (August 6) - Beulah UMC & Oak Grove UMC




August 6, 2023


 

O God, we come to you with our many “what ifs.” You know our fears, our anxieties, our insecurities, and what keeps us up at night. You know our what ifs about things present and things to come and you know our what ifs about the mystery of life and death. 

 

Thank you for reminding us today that it’s normal to have these what ifs. But we also thank you for reminding us that there is nothing in all of creation that can ever separate us from your love in Christ Jesus our Lord. For this good news, we celebrate and give you thanks and praise.

 

And on this Sunday in which we have shared our joys and concerns, we pray for those who may be struggling with “what if” questions about their health, about an important decision they need to make, about financial challenges, about family relationships, and about other difficult situations they may be facing at this time.

 

O God, you seem to know just when we need to hear it the most that there is nothing in all of creation that can ever separate us from your love in Christ Jesus our Lord. You not only remind us of this good news when we hear the scriptures read and proclaimed on Sunday mornings, but you also have given us the Sacrament of Holy Communion in which we can actually taste the good news of our faith. 

 

As we prepare to receive this holy meal together, remind us that we can come forward in confidence knowing with full assurance and without a doubt that there is nothing, absolutely nothing in all of creation that can separate us from your love in Christ Jesus our Lord. 

 

We pray this in the name of Jesus who 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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