Pastoral Prayer by Paul Meeks #30

Pastoral Prayer by Paul Meeks #30

Our gracious and loving Heavenly Father, we come to you today in the name of Jesus. We want to acknowledge your divine presence with us. We don't have to ask you to come down to be among us. You're right here, right now. Closer are you than breathing and nearer than hands and feet. We're not talking into the air and we're not talking to each other, but we're talking with you. We're assured in your Word that if we ask anything according to you will, you hear us, and if we know that you hear us we have the petitions we desired of you. We don't want to ask anything outside your will and we don't want to ask just for selfish motives or simply personal desires, but we do seek your will and we determine to do your will as we understand it, both personally and individually and also as a part of the Body of Christ.

It's so good to be here together in your house this morning with our brothers and sisters in Christ. We belong together, we're a part of each other, and we look forward to this time of being in fellowship with each other and with you. And, Lord, some of my brothers and sister here this morning are carrying very heavy burdens. Some of the concerns are hidden deep in their hearts and nobody on earth knows, and sometimes they think that nobody else cares. They can't share the hurts and disappointments and betrayals with anyone, but you know all about it. You share every heartache and care. You temper and calm every tempest that bl ows, and you know all about it, you know. And so, please help each one there in the deep recesses of their own hearts and minds and emotions to reach out to you because you're already reaching out to us and you want to meet deep needs right now. We can go away from this service with renewed strength and courage to go on. This is no time to give up or to turn back, but the walk with you is always onward and upward. Thank you, Lord, for hearing our prayers right now.

We're very concerned about the condition of the world and the volatile situation particularly in the Middle East. We pray for those that are trying to propose plans for an end to the conflict. Lord, you are sovereign, and we're sure that you have the power to intervene and we pray for your will to be done. We pray for the insurgents in Iraq and for peace to come to that war torn country and that your Word might be preached and taught to those very needy people. We're reminded that Saul, the persecutor, became Paul the Apostle, so we pray that men's he arts would be changed through an encounter with you.

We pray for our President and the men and women of the cabinet. We know that they face tremendous problems continually and they need wisdom and understanding that can come only from you. We pray for the men and women of the congress as they deliberate and endeavor to lead our nation. We know that many of them are Christians and desire to be led by the Holy Spirit and we pray for all of them. We pray, too, for the men and women in the courts of land and that they might be under the influence of the Holy Spirit.

We pray for the needs of our own community. We know that there are people being abused, even little children. There are drug addicts and alcoholics and drug dealers. We need a revival right here that will change people's hearts and that will make a difference in the homes all around us.

We pray for the pastors and leaders of our church. We ask that you would put your plans and directions in our hearts and minds and help us all to be sensitive to your will.

We pray for Pastor Steve as he speaks to us this morning. We ask that he will be able to communicate the things that you have directed him to. Help us to be willing hearers and to be obedient to your voice.

We pray in the name of Jesus who taught us to pray, "Our Father who art in heaven . . . .

Paul Meeks
College Wesleyan Church
Marion, IN 46953
pauldarmeeks@aol.com