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, September 23, 2024

Sunday (September 22) Pastoral Prayer


Sunday, September 22, 2024
Beulah UMC & Oak Grove UMC

Lord Jesus, thank you for this morning’s prayer hymn that most of us probably sang many times when we were little children. That simple message that to you we belong.

 

Thank you for creating space for children. And thank you for creating space for big children like us. Thank you for loving us for who we are; your blessed, beloved, and beautiful children of our Heavenly Father.

 

Just as you create space and welcome us as we are, help us to become more like you where we also welcome the people we encounter, especially those with whom we often keep at a distance. May our embrace be as wide as the embrace of Jesus who welcomed all.

 

And so, in this time of prayer, we seek to create space for those who feel separated from you, who feel judged, who feel unworthy, and who feel invisible and neglected in our society.

 

We also seek to offer your welcome to all who are on our hearts and minds this day; the sick and the hungry, the homeless and the downtrodden, and the lonely and the destitute. May your circle be expanded through each and every one of us, including our thoughts and our prayers for those who are on our church’s prayer list, and the many other people who we lift up to you in prayer this morning.

 

Thank you for reminding us every time we gather for worship, that your circle of love and welcome is not complete until thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

 

We pray this in the name of Jesus who loves me, this I know…

 

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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