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Prayers by Pastor Milton
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O crucified compassionate one; fear grips us when we begin to comprehend the power of evil in this world. We dare to peer into this Holy Week less we become soberly conscious of what wickedness had the capacity and audacity to do to you and to all of us. When we realize how sinful self seeking pounds cruel nails into innocent flesh, sensibility seems to fall with no one out there to catch it and security seem to break loose from it safe harbor to swing about at the mercy of tempestuous tyrannies. The corrupt world we live in overwhelms us. Our morally polluted environment smothers us spiritually. Goodness and values are threatened with obliteration by lives run amuck incapable of loving or caring. Nevertheless, when we realize your supreme sacrifice for us, hope dares to lift the green palm of life above the squalor of spiritual decay allowing us to proclaim that you will not abandon this beautiful world nor allow the human soul to be wasted or desolated. You will not abandon us or give us up for lost. Your redemptive and holy purpose cannot be thwarted. You will not let us go! You will hold us safe and see us through all the storms that rage around us because after the forces of wickedness have done their best to do their worst – your steadfast love endures! So in faith we cry out Hosanna! Hosanna! And pray the prayer our Savior taught us… Psalm 62 O God, our rock and salvation, our hearts are restless until they find rest in you. Our minds and focus may shift and change, but our need for your abiding hope never changes. The world around us waits to sabotage our deepest convictions and erode the very foundation of our faith, so keep our heart open to your love that offers us the only true hope and help in times of need. Forgive us for putting our trust in the temporal values that burst forth like bright flares only to fizzle out like wet fuses. Help us to turn to you for the hope that is eternal even though we cannot logically prove it or even define it, but by your grace we can experience it each time we come to you and pray. We pray this day for our new president and vice-president and all members of congress that they might together lead and guide our nation with liberty and justice for all. Once again, we turn to you to commit ourselves to become the person we were created to be. In your great mercy show us that anchor of hope that will hold firm even in the midst of the chaos of life. Speak to us over and over again that we may hear the great truth that our strength comes from you O God, our Rock and Salvation. Amen Psalm 23 Gentle God, who guides us on our journey of life, you provide for us more than we could ever need or imagine. Our souls are restored by the abundance and peace that you alone supply. Whether our journey takes us to the mountaintops of glorious joy or into the valleys of human suffering, you stay by our side. When we are fearful and the darkness of death and destruction lurks in every shadow, your grace and strength keep us secure. When the pain is severe, You are near to comfort. When the burden is heavy, You are there to support. When depression darkens our souls, you touch us with the light of eternal joy. When we feel empty and alone, you fill the aching vacuum with your loving presence. You spread the bounties of life before us. You cover us with the blessings of grace. There is no need you cannot fulfill. Wherever we go and whatever we do, your goodness and kindness accompany us. May we live with such faith that we might dwell in your presence now and always. Amen Prayer based on Psalm 84 O God in whom we move and have our being, We long for the peace and security that can only We are enriched only when we draw our power from We confess that we live in a fractured world constantly We bless you for your loving mercy poured out on those Help us to remember that we find Teach us to know that nothing that is truly good and A prayer based on Psalm 091 O source of all our security, help us to focus our faith on your plan for our lives so that we need not fear the chaos that so often surrounds us. We are not left untouched by the tempests of this life. We are not spared the wounds of the onslaught of evil. Nevertheless, you do not ever abandon us so we know that we never need suffer these things alone. We thank you, Healing Holiness that you not only care for us during such trying times, but that you also deliver us from the midst of the conflicts that plague us. Enemies may threaten, afflictions may lay us low, some may fall never to rise again, but you are able to lift us to our feet and lead us to your ultimate goal! Keep us open to your ministering spirit that reaches out to us from your invisible world offering to each of us your eternal concern and your powerful promise that you will never let any of your children be abandoned. You, Suffering Savior, feel the pain of our wounds; you bear the hurts of our souls and ultimately transform all that is ugly into that which can truly enrich and bless us. So when we cry out in agony, by faith may we know you hear us and respond by drawing us close to you. In that same faith may we know you will deliver us ultimately to that eternal and abundant life you have so graciously promised and provided for each of us. All this we pray in the name and spirit of the compassionate Christ who taught us to pray… A prayer based on Psalm 27 Lord of light with you as our goal and guide, fear and anxiety has no place in our life. All the evils in this world cannot destroy any of us who are held in your loving radiance. May our ultimate desire be to abide in your tender care so that we might stand firm in the face of any terror or temptation. We glorify you because when we call out in times of hurt and need you are not indifferent to our prayers. You sustain us through all the dangers, toils and snares of everyday living. As we experience the light of your love in the uncertain and tumultuous times ahead, may we by your ever abiding grace take courage, step out in faith, scorn fearfulness and let you have your way with us that we might shine as your light in the world. This we pray in the confidence of him who came as the light of the world, Jesus our Lord, who taught us to pray… A prayer based on Psalm 27 Lord of light with you as our goal and guide, fear and anxiety has no place in our life. All the evils in this world cannot destroy any of us who are held in your loving radiance. May our ultimate desire be to abide in your tender care so that we might stand firm in the face of any terror or temptation. We glorify you because when we call out in times of hurt and need you are not indifferent to our prayers. You sustain us through all the dangers, toils and snares of everyday living. As we experience the light of your love in the uncertain and tumultuous times ahead, may we by your ever abiding grace take courage, step out in faith, scorn fearfulness and let you have your way with us that we might shine as your light in the world. This we pray in the confidence of him who came as the light of the world, Jesus our Lord, who taught us to pray… Psalm 63 God our souls thirst for you, because we know In the shadow of your presence we can sing for joy. We confess at times we are so frantic that we We have so much to fear, Gracious God, because there Your power remains greater than all the onslaught of life. May the glory of your genuine goodness outshine all We pray all this in the name of Jesus who taught us … Psalm 138 God who patiently hears us even when we complain and whine frequently over the trivial issues of life; You often responds to us with mercy and strength in times of true troubles and travails, so our hearts overflow with gratitude and our mouth fills up with words of praise because of your constant love and frequent faithfulness. We confess that we who live in this disjointed world seldom listen to your words which would guide us in the path of righteousness. We ignore your signs of life-and-love that would show us the way to your peace and goodness. Forgive us once again and restore us to that place of tranquility where we find the true meaning and purpose of our life. When we are surrounded by the pains of trouble and the ravages of conflict, be our strong shield that keeps us from unending sorrow and suffering. When our very foundations shake, stand by our side to strengthen our souls from all the perils of evil so prevalent in our world today. Let your perpetual love complete the work you have already begun in our life so we would live more and more into the abundance you have prepared for us in your glorious kingdom that has no end. This we pray in the name of Jesus, Lord of life and love in whose grace we live; who taught us to pray … O God your steadfast love stretches as far and wide as the heavens and as deep and open as the oceans. Your faithfulness and righteousness are as high as the mountains and your goodness beyond all comprehension. Is it any wonder that we your children constantly reach out to you to find our security, for you are the one who answers our needs and fulfills our desires? Yet, we confess that we can be utterly self-centered, indifferent and calloused to the needs of others. We too often neglect you and live oblivious to your presence in our lives. Nevertheless, you continue to pour out your saving love upon us and are always present when we seek to take refuge under the shadow of your wing. For you are the God of compassion and the fountain of life. Do not allow arrogance to overcome us or wickedness to destroy us. Keep us secure in the knowledge of your grace that is always greater than our transgressions. This we pray in the name of Jesus who taught … Based on Psalm 72:1-14 God of the galaxies, your star guided the wise ones of ancient times onward to worship the child born to bring righteousness and justice to the world, guide us that we might relate to others with a sense of your righteousness and your justice. Especially we would pray for the poor, sick, needy and oppressed who stumble in the shadows of despair and defeat. Grant that we might reflect the light of your shining to guide them into experiencing the light of your joy and peace. As we move onward into this New Year may we become what you have destined and empowered us to become. Where there is darkness, may we become the rays of your light that banish the gloom in lonely lives. Where there is dryness of spirit, let us be like fresh showers of blessing that turn the barren desert into a green meadow. Where there is ugliness and distortion enable us to portray the beauty and order of your will and purpose. Hear our prayers for the people of California who have suffered the ravages of the wildfires that destroyed not only property but memories and plans for their future. Be with the homeless even in our community who struggle with the cold of winter and the need for care. We pray this in the name of the one who is the light of the world and the light of our lives. Who taught us to pray Amen. Providential Provider, we the people of this one nation under your merciful care raise our prayers of gratitude and thanksgiving for the many blessings that have enriched our lives inpidually and corporately. Your gracious goodness has sustained us through illness and accident. Your guiding hand has led us around pitfalls and precipices into zones of safety and security. In our rebellion and willful disobedience your patience has waited for us to return to you. When we fell on our faces in weakness and failure, your sure strength set us on our feet again comforting our afflictions and anguishes. Throughout the trials and tribulations of our national life you have cared for us. The strength of your steadfast love led us – and at times carried us – through the valleys of shame and the highlands of abundance. Your gracious goodness bridged the impassable rivers and showed the way through the impossible mountains for our ancestors and you still do so for us. Sometimes through us and sometimes despite us, your providential purpose for this nation has been revealed. We give thanks for your sheltering care through the stormy past. We humbly ask for your guiding goodness into our uncertain future. May we as a nation reclaim our heritage by boldly saying on this day and every day, “In God we trust!” A Prayer based upon Psalm 145 Great and glorious God we give you thanks for every yesterday and every tomorrow. We join our voices with generations past and generations yet to be in proclaiming our glorious majesty. You are a God who is loving and merciful, slow to become angry and full of constant compassion. You help those who are in trouble and lift those who have fallen. We pray for all newly elected government officials. May they lead this land with your wisdom and integrity as well as with your justice and mercy. And may we as citizens hold them accountable to your high standards for all who would govern. Today we especially give you thanks for your sense of justice that inspired men and women to join the Armed Forces of our nation to help preserve peace and order not only in our land but around the world. So at this special time we would pray for a peace in all lands that would provide food for those who are hungry; tranquility to those who live in fear and opportunity to all so they can satisfy the most basic needs of life. Continue to be a God who is willing to stay near to those who call on you. A God who supplies the needs of those turn to you. A God who hears the cries and answers the prayers of those in distress. A God who preserves peace and eradicates wickedness. We pray all this in the name of Jesus, the Prince of Peace, who taught us to pray. A prayer based on Psalm 130 God of unlimited love, there are so many times in our journey of life when our minds are filled with bewilderment and frustration that we find ourselves in the pit of despair. That’s when we reach out to you seeking your forgiving grace and your loving mercy. We long for your power and presence that comes as surely as does the sun after the long dark night. Help us to focus our faith on you that we might know true hope and wholeness. Let our trust in your constant love restore us to that place in life where you would have us be. WE pray this in the confidence of your great power and in the spirit of Jesus who taught us to pray… Psalm 19 Creator God, you are the master builder. Your creation testifies to your glory. Let us bask in you artistic powers, appreciation every detail under your skies. Allow us to reflect on the earth’s beauty in each meditation of our heart and word from our lips. Your glory shines on us like the sun that shines on all the earth with a life-giving power and no one can escape being bathed in the radiance of your revealed love. We thank you for your Word in Holy Scripture that revives our souls in ways that enlighten our inner seeing. Your majesty endures forever, and your righteousness leads us into the way of truth. We know in our deepest souls how valuable your living Word is in our life and how sweet the sounds of your grace ring out from those wonderful words of life. These very same words of grace and glory guide us away from destruction into the paths of blessings. So let every word of our mouth and all the inner thoughts of our minds be a pleasing offering to you, for you alone are the solid foundation for the salvation of the world. Now let us pray that prayer you taught to all your people everywhere as we pray together Psalm 125 Abiding and enduring God, at times we feel so vulnerable in a world that appears so insecure and fragile. At times the pressures increase and the old support systems crumble. Many of the routines and behaviors we hold so dearly lose their significance. Even the words we speak and hear that once held promise and power to excite and challenge us become inadequate sounding like hollow and empty noises. When the box we thought we had to hold all the people and things important to us breaks up, we realize that we cannot always hold on to those people and things we truly value. Our faith seems to shrink and we feel we are losing our grip on your loving hand. Nevertheless, even when we feel we have lost our grip on you, you remind us that you hold on to us and will never let us go. Your presence surrounds us like the great mountains surround the valleys allowing us to realize that the courage to face life comes only from the sense that you surround us secure forever. Even though everything around us changes, you never change. Even though the sands of time shift and every human idea and ideal falls away, you, Great God, stand forever. So, with new courage and faith we pray this prayer securely knowing we are encompassed by your eternal strength. Lord’s Prayer Psalm 26 O God of constant love and faithfulness, enable us to sense your presence as we face important decisions each day and feel the uncertainty of life press in or us from every side. Remind us that we are your children and your servants who claim your redeeming love so we may dedicate our life to your great purposes. We have not always shunned the world’s enticements and the prideful ambitions that often tantalizes us. Keep us faithful to our disciplines of worship and devotions that we might always celebrate your grace and sing your praise. So when we come to those times of life when we don’t know which way to turn, we may commit our life into your hands and trust that we might live by your direction and act according to your will. Grant us the assurance that you will guide our steps so we may not falter or fail. All this we pray in the name of Jesus Christ our way, our truth and our life. AMEM |