Pastoral Prayer by Paul Meeks # 16

Pastoral Prayer by Paul Meeks # 16

Our gracious and loving Heavenly Father, we come to you today in the name of Jesus because that's the way your Word tells us to come. Your Word says that if we ask anything in his name we know that you hear us and if we know that you hear us, we have the petitions we desired of you. We don't pretend to know or understand what all it means to ask in his name, but that's the way we're coming to you right now, so by faith we know that you are hearing us. We're not talking to each other and we're not talking into the air, but we're talking to you, our Heavenly Father. We thank you for all you do for us, and we can't even begin to know what all that includes, but most of all we thank you for who and what you are. YOU ARE GOD, the God of the universe, and even beyond the universe. And yet you are our Heavenly Father and you allow, and even invite us, to talk and commune with you.

I want to especially thank you today for your marvelous, amazing grace. We can't begin to understand the immeasurable depth of your grace or the unfathomable richness of your grace, but, wonder of wonders, we've been made recipients of your grace. Your word assures us that your grace is sufficient for us. We all pass through times of severe trials and testings and when we're dealing with life's troubles and problems and difficulties it seems so natural to ask questions and wonder why. We're so thankful that questioning and sincere seeking for answers is acceptable to you because in your presence we can ask any question we want. We may not always get answers, at least not the answers we want, but you never turn away from us. Some things we CAN'T understand now, and some things we don't need to understand, at least not now. If we did, you would tell us. But we do know the One who has all the answers and some day we'll understand. Some day you'll make it all plain to us. But for now we'll just keep on trusting because you're to wise to make a mistake and you're to good to be unkind.

I'm thankful for my brothers and sisters that are a part of our fellowship. Some of them are passing through deep waters right now. Some feel like it's almost hopeless, but with you there are no hopeless cases. Please be with those who are struggling with marital and family problems. May they turn to you in humility and confession and let you restore love and trust. Some have physical problems and they need to be reminded that you're the Great Physician. Some are sorrowing and grieving over the death of loved ones and they need the presence of the Holy Comforter. Some have major decisions to make and they are perplexed and aren't sure which way to go. May they sense your gentle voice assuring them, "This is the way, walk ye in it." So, here we are, Lord, every one of us has our own individual and particular need, and we're here today seeking your will and your way, and we know you won't disappoint us. As we're reaching out to you, you're already reaching out to us.

We pray for our country today, for our president and his cabinet and for our men and women in government. We're thankful for those that are committed Christians and are trying to govern in righteousness and truth. We pray that the Holy Spirit would influence all of them even though they don't acknowledge you or call upon you. We pray, too, for our state and local leaders. May they be the kind of leaders that lead us in the right ways.

We pray for our military men and women, many of them are in harms way continually. We pray that they would call upon you and depend on you for protection and guidance. Give wisdom to the military leaders who plan daily for the right strategies in the conflicts going on literally around the world against Satan and his followers.

We pray for your word as it's preached and taught around the world. Strengthen and encourage the missionaries and national Christians. Many of them are working in very dangerous and precarious situations where people are antagonistic to anything Christian. We pray that your kingdom will truly come.

We pray for wisdom and guidance for our pastors and leaders here in our church. Help us to be a church after your own heart. We want to follow your agenda and we want to be busy doing the things that count for eternity.

Be with our speaker this morning. May he be anointed by the Holy Spirit and may his words be effective to accomplish your purpose for us today.

We pray all of this with thanksgiving in the name of Jesus, our Savior, who taught us to pray, Our Father who art in heaven, . . . . .

Paul Meeks
College Wesleyan Church
Marion, IN
pauldarmeeks@aol.com