Pastoral Prayer by Paul Meeks #22

Pastoral Prayer by Paul Meeks #22

Pastoral prayer for Victory Sunday at close of capital campaign.

Our gracious and loving Heavenly Father, we come to you today in the name of Jesus. We rejoice in you and give thanks for all you do for us, but most of all we thank you for who and what you are. We thank you for salvation through the blood of Christ. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for coming to our world and becoming one of us, and because of that we have the hope of eternity with you and with all those that have gone before us.

On this special day in the life of our church we're aware of the fact that we owe a debt of gratitude for the great heritage we enjoy because of literally thousands of people that have made up College Church down through the years. We follow in their train and we acknowledge that we have a responsibility, not only to our present generation, but to those from the past and especially to those coming after us. We want to be faithful to the sacred trust that's ours and we joyfu lly accept that responsibility. We ARE still the church today preparing for the church of tomorrow. It's exciting to contemplate all that means.

We've just heard the challenge from Pastor Steve and really from you through him. We have much to offer in these coming months and years. We have abilities and talents that you've given us and we do offer them to you for you to use in helping to build your church right here. We have material resources that you've allowed us to have and we want to be good stewards of those. Really, all we are and all we have already belong to you because we've committed it all to you. Many in this service have already made their pledge and others will be filling out their pledge cards in a few minutes. Perhaps some will fe el led to increase their pledge. Help us all to be faithful to what you are saying to us right now. We give you thanks in advance for supplying the need for us to move onward in the plans before us.

And now we bring the needs of our people today. Some have come today with special burdens and concerns. Maybe nobody else knows, but you do and you can do something about it. Bring encouragement and uplift. Many have physical needs and they're looking to you right now. Some have spiritual needs, they've been defeated and have succumbed to temptations and they seek your forgiveness. Lord, you're the God of all grace, and our faith and our confidence are in you. As we reach out to you today, we know that you're already reaching out to us. Thank you for the help that you're giving right now.

Thank you for leading us as a church. You've put plans and programs in the hearts of our leaders and we want your continual guidance and direction. Thank you for the wisdom and understanding that you give that enables us to do far better than we could ever do in our own resources and abilities.

We pray for Pastor Steve as he preaches in a few minutes. May we all hear your voice as you speak to us through him.

We pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Pastor Paul Meeks
College Wesleyan Church
Marion, IN

pauldarmeeks@aol.com