First Breath

Heavenly Father, thank you for the opportunity You provide for us to worship You this Christmas! No matter where Your children are spending Christmas eve, day, week, You give us every breath and we praise You for that and for all Your good gifts! As Christmas "winds down" and we look ahead to the new year, keep us focused on Your Son, Our Savior's birth, first breath, reason for coming, last breath, and ultimately, the greatest gift ever ... His resurrection! Loving Jesus, thank you for coming, for living, and for sacrificing everything for us. Keep us strong and faithful and surrendered to You, and working together to build Your Kingdom as we wait for You to come again and take us home. In Jesus' holy name, we pray. Amen.

A Time for Quiet

Wednesday, Dec 22, 7-8pm
Instead of dinner and a worship service, the sanctuary will be open for a time of quiet, peaceful prayer. Allow yourself to stop during this busy time of hustle and bustle to just be still in the Lord. Ask Him to fill you up with His Holy Spirit and to dwell within you as you work, play, worship and enjoy and spend time with family and friends. Call on Him with the desires of your heart. Seek His will for you, your purpose, and how you can help others know, love, and follow Jesus, our beloved savior ... the Way, the Truth, and the Life!

Father God, you know exactly the plans You have for us, individually and as a congregation. Help us to cling to You as we work together to meet the lost and attempt to introduce them to You, Lord Jesus. We know that we can't make others have faith in You, Heavenly Father; only the Holy Spirit can do that. We know we can't do this without You, Lord; and in all things, without You there can be no true success. Guide us, lead us, bless us, and bring the unsaved to faith in You, God, for the sake of Your Son, Our Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Teaching the Way of the Shepherd

In honor of Pastor Van Dellen on his "retirement", the GSLC Praise Team wrote and performed this song as a gift to him.

Prayer Gathering Tonight - 1st Tuesday of every month

Father God, please bless our feeble efforts and fill us with your Holy Spirit as we seek Your face, coming before You with bent knees, bowed heads, and surrendered hearts. Flood Good Shepherd, the church building itself and the hearts of everyone who enters it, with Your Holiness. Reign down Your loving kindness and guard against the evil one who comes to destroy. Use us, Lord, as instruments of Your peace and love, as we serve to help people know, love, and follow You, Jesus. In Your name, we pray. Amen

The LORD is near to all who call on him,
to all who call on him in truth.
He fulfills the desires of those who fear him;
he hears their cry and saves them.
Psalm 145:18-19

"Prayer is the deliberate and persevering action of the soul. It is true and enduring, and full of grace. Prayer fastens the soul to God and makes it one with God's will." Julian of Norwich

Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire

Dear Father, thank you for your mercy and the salvation you have given us in Jesus Christ. Please forgive us for all our sins and shortcomings. Draw us to You, and begin a new work of grace in all of us.

Make us the people you want us to be. Fill our hearts and minds, our church with your fresh wind and fresh fire.

In Psalm 139, the psalmist writes "Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me,and lead me in the way everlasting."

Break our pride, soften our hearts, and fill us to overflowing with your Holy Spirit, O God. Do all this so that the name of Jesus will be exalted throughout the earth.
In His name we pray. Amen.

Phil 4:6-7 (the Message): "Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitiions & praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down."

Jesus warned us ...

John 16:33 "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

Matthew 24:6 ... see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. NIV

keep your head and don't panic. The Message

Don’t be alarmed! God's Word

"Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong." 1 Corinthians 16:13

Dear Lord, I praise You for Your holiness and righteousness. Your ways are perfect. Help me to know the right thing to do when facing certain struggles in my life. Help me know when to stand firm and when to turn away. I trust You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Micah 6:8, "He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." (NIV)

"A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." Proverbs 15:1 (NIV)

1 Timothy 2:1 I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— 2for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 5For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6who gave himself as a ransom for all men—the testimony given in its proper time. 7And for this purpose I was appointed a herald and an apostle—I am telling the truth, I am not lying—and a teacher of the true faith to the Gentiles.
8I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing.

Lord God, Heavenly Father, help us to be those men and women; children of God, that lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing. Help us, each and every one of us, to call out to you in prayer and petition, asking you for wisdom, comfort, discernment, and peace. Lord, keep Satan and his demons away from Your church at Good Shepherd. He is not welcome here amongst us! Send Your Holy angels that the Evil One will have no power over us! Convict hearts with your love, mercy and righteousness that we will all seek forgiveness for our thoughts, words, and actions. Help us to love one another as You have loved us. Help us to speak only encouraging words to each other, to build each other up according to others' needs, so that it will benefit those who are listening and watching. Lord, close the mouths of those that are not of you. Convict the hearts of anyone who is only out to prove something about themselves and are doing nothing to improve and restore the relationships that have been bruised and damaged. Most of all Lord God, we ask that You, with Your mighty hand and outstretched arm, open the eyes of everyone and teach them what it is to know You ... really know You, not just know about You, but really have that personal relationship with You, dear Jesus. You are our Rock and our Redeemer; the One who was and is and is to come. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayers. Amen.

Congregational Meeting Tonight

Father God, Wonderful Counselor, Prince of Peace, You are all-knowing, all-powerful, and always present! Help us to remember that Truth deep within ourselves, so that even during times when we don't "feel" it, we know, by the faith You've blessed us with, that You are there, in control, knowing and providing what is truly best for us at all times.

Lord God, you already know what will happen tonight. You know the motives and desires of the hearts and minds of every person who will be in attendance. Lord, put up Your shield of defense by sending Your angels to guard against any and all evil that may be present. Protect Pastor Tritten and all those who seek only to glorify Your Holy name from the evil one ... the one who only seeks to kill, steal, and destroy anything that is of You! Help us to discern good from bad and put Your words in Pastor T's mouth that will convict hearts to look only unto You for guidance.

Be with our pastor today, Lord, as he continues to prepare for tonight's meeting. Holy Spirit, calm his heart and give him Your unspeakable joy and peace as he goes about his day. Give him a sense of wonder and awe as You wrap Your arms around him and his family. Fill his mouth so that whenever he opens it, your words will be given to him so that he will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel ... and that he will declare it fearlessly, as he should, speaking the Truth in love, both humbly and boldly for You, Lord!

Father God, open our ears; those ears of everyone at GS .. those at the meeting and those that are not. Give us listening ears so that we can hear the Truth. Close mouths that are not going to speak the Truth. Allow only speech that is from You, oh God ... only that which will build each other up according to our needs, not according to any human plans ... only from You, Lord.

Holy Spirit, fill us with Your mercy and grace and Holy discontent so that we will know what is of You and what is sinful and only man's desires. Thwart any plan or desires that come from our sinful nature, whether it be pride, arrogance, selfishness, idolatry, or complacency. Fill everyone associated with GS with the fruits of Your Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Use those fruits within us so that we may bear only good fruit, seeking only to serve others and to help them meet Jesus ... and continue to know, love, and follow Him.

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit ... You are God alone ... help us to focus on that, knowing You are going to do great things amongst us ... great things to carry out Your Great Commission. Please, Lord, use Pastor T and Good Shepherd Lutheran Church and School and everyone associated with GS to go and make disciples of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Not to us, Lord, but all to and for You!

In the mighty and everlasting name of Jesus, we pray! Amen!

Peace Prayer

written by St. Francis of Assisi, prayed by many before us ...

Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer ...

Lord, make us instruments of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let us sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is discord, union;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness light;
Where there is sadness, joy.
Grant that we may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

Lord Jesus, in Your name we pray for the peace that transcends all human understanding ... the peace that only You can give. Amen

O God, let us be a generation that seeks ...

that seeks your face, O God of Jacob ...

We bow our hearts
We bend our knees
O Spirit, come make us humble

We turn our eyes from evil things
O Lord, we cast down our idols

Give us clean hands
Give us pure hearts
Let us not lift our souls to another

O God, let us be a generation that seeks,
that seeks Your face, O God of Jacob

Lord, we thank and praise You for the gift of freedom to gather for worship in Your house today! Thank you for meeting us there as we humbly but boldly praised Your holy name with song! Thank you for providing Your Word to us in the three scripture readings and through Pastor T's preaching ... Your message was heard by many, Lord, and we pray that we will heed Your Word, drink in Your Grace, and seek to find our purpose as we are called to be fishers of men.

Lord, our time together was short and the week ahead is long ... Holy Spirit dwell within us so that we continue to seek Your face throughout our days in all we do.
Whether we are working, playing, meeting, attending classes, interacting with family, dwell within us so that we will boldly, but lovingly, open our mouths to share the Truth of Your love. Strengthen us, send Your holy angels to fight off Satan and all his evil, and help us to share with others everything we know about Jesus and what he has done for us so that we can all enjoy community with You now and for eternity!

Father God, as we put Your Word in our hearts today, help us to remember Your promise from Hebrews 13:8 "Jesus is the same yesterday, and today, and forever!"

Help us, dear Lord, as Your church, the people of God at Good Shepherd, to always, always seek Your face, bend our knees to You, bow our hearts in prayer to You, never seeking another and always casting down our idols, help us to be a generation that teaches the next generation what it is to truly know, love, and follow You, Lord Jesus. Help us to be doers of Your Word!

We lift all of this up to You now, Lord ... and also asking that You remind us with a burning desire in our hearts to come back to You often throughout each day to call on You, praying without ceasing! In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

Phillipians 1: 9-11

"And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best (to approve what is excellent) and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ--to the glory and praise of God." (NIV with Lutheran Study Bible)

The Contemporary English Version says: "I pray that your love will keep on growing and that you will fully know and understand how to make the right choices. Then you will still be pure and innocent when Christ returns. And until that day, Jesus Christ will keep you busy doing good deeds that bring glory and praise to God."

Father God, this is our prayer: that you fill us with your holiness, that our love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that we may be able to discern what is best; approving only what is excellent in Your sight; giving us the spirit of discernment; that we make the right choices. Lord, make us pure and blameless for today and the day Jesus comes back! Fill us with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ!

Holy Spirit, how do we get that holiness we long to have? Through Your Word and Sacraments! Fill us with the desire to dig into Your Word every single day, Lord. Your Word is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path, Lord. Without it, we are fools! Get our attention ... the attention of each and every member of our church council, ministry leader, and member! Lord, abide in us, draw us near to you. Put that unquenchable desire in our hearts so that we desire more of You just as a child desires candy or a baby craves milk!

Help us trust You above anything else, Father. Help us climb out of this valley that we've been caught in for some time now. Reach down and pluck us out and shake us so that we see what is so obvious ... that You love us and want the best for us. Help us trust You in that. Help us to seek Your Kingdom first, knowing that everything else will fall in place and be provided for us ... just as You've promised.

Father, forgive us when we put our trust in our own strategy more than your promises, and help us to focus all the more clearly on living in Your Word and Sacraments. We need you, Lord. Help us focus completely on You.
In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

Pizza & Praise Nights

Heavenly Father, as the GSLC Praise Team prepares for two evenings of praise and worship, fill them with your Holy Spirit so that every detail is given to You, is planned to glorify Your name, and is all about You!

Father God, You already know each person who will be in attendance next Wednesday at St. Paul's and the following Wednesday at Good Shepherd. Send Your holy angels to guard against the evil one; prevent anything that would hinder those that are supposed to be there according to Your Will. Fill each heart and mind with the desire to know You more. Open hearts up to worship You in Spirit and in Truth.

Lord God, help the team to sing and play for You and only for You, setting aside anything and everything that is not of You. Bless their song selection, their witness, their words and actions, so that everyone who is there only wants to focus on You. Fill them with homothumadon ... that one mindedness in alignment with Your mind.

Father, bless all Your servants who will be behind the scenes donating money and sacrificing time; buying and preparing food; serving the meals; running the audio & visual equipment. Fill them with Your love and peace as they work hard to make these evenings successful. Give everyone an attitude of gratitude for each other; being thankful for all the little details and chores that will be accomplished in Your name.

We give all of Pizza & Praise to You, God. Bless our efforts as we continually work as Your hands and feet, helping to help others and ourselves know, love, and follow Jesus, our Good Shepherd. In His name, we pray. Amen.

Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, ...

whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.

Heavenly Father, the things of this world are sometimes anything but true, noble, right, pure, lovely, or admirable! Help us to discern between what is excellent and praiseworthy, and what is not. Help us to recognize where our heart is leaning and if it's straying to the left or to the right, draw it back straight into You, Father God.

Lord Jesus, call us to think like You, to be in alignment with You. Help us to dig deep into Your Word and remember that together we are brothers and sisters in Christ; in You! Help us to live together in Your Gospel ... being truly forgiven and forgiving to one another.

Father God, teach us to live in harmony by recognizing our sins and confessing them to one another ... and by doing so, experiencing reconciliation and oneness in You. Guide our words and actions, so that as Your church, Your children, we always speak the truth in love, with gentleness and respect. Guide us to pray and to study Your Word so that we can come out thinking the same way ... Your way, God.

Father in Heaven, Provider, Wonderful Counselor, teach us to follow in the footsteps of the One You sent to be our savior and King. Help us to live as forgiven citizens of Your kingdom, clinging to Calvary's cross and running to Jesus' empty tomb to know our salvation is won! Help us to tell others about Jesus, allowing ourselves to become examples of what You can do in their lives. Help us to share the real message of grace, following Jesus, and leading others to Him. Help us to see the world through Your eyes, Lord ... seeking whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, excellent, and worthy of praise!

Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen!

What a Friend We Have in Jesus

Let's take some time to use an old favorite hymn to seek His face; the face of our beautiful savior and best Friend ...

What a Friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.

Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged; take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness; take it to the Lord in prayer.

Are we weak and heavy laden, cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge, take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do your friends despise, forsake you? Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In His arms He’ll take and shield you; you will find a solace there.

Blessed Savior, Thou hast promised Thou wilt all our burdens bear
May we ever, Lord, be bringing all to Thee in earnest prayer.
Soon in glory bright unclouded there will be no need for prayer
Rapture, praise and endless worship will be our sweet portion there.

Lord Jesus, Precious Savior, Best Friend, there's no one like you! No one can feel our hurts, no one can share our sorrows, no one can shield and protect us like you can ... like you do. The gift of prayer that our Father has given us is a wondrous thing ... and Jesus, we pray to the Father through You, the Son, by the prompting of the Holy Spirit ... Father, Son, and Spirit; Our God! What a great God you are!

Father God, draw us to you so that we will truly cast our cares aside, lay our crowns at your feet, and live in the pure peace that you want for us!

May we ever, Lord, be bringing all to Thee in earnest prayer.
In the life-giving, life-changing, life-saving name of Jesus, we pray. Amen!

Pastor Van Dellen

As Pastor Van Dellen readies himself for retirement and we celebrate his 40 years in the ministry of our Lord, Jesus Christ, this weekend, we pray ...

Heavenly Father, thank you for calling Pastor Van to be your humble servant, giving of himself all these years ... a lifetime of living out the Great Commission, baptizing and teaching in the name of Jesus, your beloved Son. Thank you for working in him to be the called and ordained representative for you at Good Shepherd for 30 years! We are so grateful for all you have done through this man in our midst!

Holy Spirit, as Pastor and Judy enter the next phase of life here on earth, continue to work in them your will ... inspiring them to continue to spread your Word to everyone they meet. Keep them focused on Jesus, the author and perfector of their faith, the One who will meet all their needs in the glorious riches He gives so freely.

Lord God, bless them with good health, supportive friends and family, the financial means to do what you have in mind for them. They have always sacrificed for the people of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church ... help us to be appreciative so they know they are loved by us, too. As always align their hearts and ours with yours in everything we say and do.

Precious Jesus, thank you for saving us through your death and resurrection. We are eternally grateful to you for the faith you have given us, knowing that we will live forever with you in your Kingdom when this life comes to an end here. Be with us each and every day as we go about your work, helping people to know, love and follow you! In Your name we pray! Amen!

Let the Little Children Come to Me ...

Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." Matthew 19:14

When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Mark 10:14

But Jesus called the children to him and said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Luke 18:16

Today begins a week of pure joy and excitement for lots of little ones as they invade Good Shepherd for VBS!

Heavenly Father, as Jesus commanded us to "go and make disciples" and as he rebuked those disciples who were closest to Him, saying "Let the little children come to me", we come before you today asking You to guide and lead everyone involved in vacation Bible school this week at Good Shepherd. Make it a place where all little children will be welcomed and loved and taught the true story of Jesus and what He did and continues to do for them!

Holy Spirit, fill the building and fill the hearts of all who enter it! Do great and marvelous things by planting seeds in the little ones and fertilizing those that have already been planted. Guide the words and actions of each and every person who will be serving this week; use them to share the love of Jesus with everyone they come in contact with ... whether it be little children, the children's parents, teens that will be watching them, or other adults in their midst. Speak through each and every person at VBS, Lord.

Father God, thank you for providing beautiful weather; please keep the temperature and humidity at comfortable levels all week; keep storms at bay during the VBS hours.

Thank you for the wonderful building You provided for Your church at Good Shepherd; please keep it a safe shelter for everyone, and guard against any injuries or illness from entering.

Thank you for the technology You have provided; please let everything work smoothly so there are no hindrances or distractions and everyone can just focus on You, Lord.

Precious Jesus, as You continued in teaching Your disciples, You added, "I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." These are Your words, Lord Jesus, and may we heed them!

Jesus, may we all be like little children when it comes to humbling ourselves and believing everything You tell us in Your Word. Open our eyes, hearts, and minds to see everything and everyone around us as You see them. Help us to fully comprehend that You really do love us all so much that You gave Your very life for us so that we can live with You forever in heaven! Help us to know and believe that the Kingdom of God belongs to us ... Your children; young and old!

Fill us with You, God ... so that everything we do is centered on helping people to know, love, and follow Your beloved son, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. In His name we pray! Amen!

Prayer Gathering Tonight

Lord God, Father in Heaven, Wonderful Counselor, Blessed Redeemer,

You are our Good Shepherd and You are mighty to save us when we call out to you!

Hear our prayers, oh Lord ... have mercy on us!

Bless the words of our mouths and the meditation of our hearts ... You are our Rock and Redeemer!

As we come together this evening, draw us nearer to You ...

Inspire us ... align our hearts with Yours ... help us to call out to You in accordance with Your will ...

Help us to remember that praying is a two-way conversation ... reveal Your presence, Father ... open our ears and hearts to listen to Your response ...

Jesus, be there as You promise us in Matthew 18:20 ... for where two or three are gathered together in Your name, we are confident that You will be there!

Please fill us with Your presence and indescribable peace and joy . . . and teach us to pray ...

We lift up our concerns, our praises, our griefs and all our thoughts to You, God ... In Jesus' name. Amen

"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, ...

His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness." Lamentations 3:22-23

Precious Lord and Savior, how blessed we are to awaken once again to a new day in Your grace! And what a beautiful, sunny morning it is in southeastern Michigan!

Rejoicing in Your mercies, which are new every morning, we commend ourselves and this day, this weekend, to You and to Your gracious care, asking that You direct our course, guiding us in our service to You.

Grant grace to our words and to our actions, so that all may be done according to Your will. Keep us steadfast in unity with each other as we meet together.

Finally, provide us with opportunities to witness to You and Your love, giving us both the willingness and boldness to confess Your name. Through Your life expressed in us, lead those to whom we witness to receive You and Your undying love for them; through Jesus Christ, Our Lord and Savior. Amen

"Take My Life and Let It Be"

Let's take some time today for individual personal prayer, using the lyrics of this familiar hymn by Frances R Havergal ...

Take my life and let it be
consecrated, Lord, to Thee;
Take my moments and my days,
let them flow in ceaseless praise.

Take my hands and let them move
at the impulse of Thy love;
Take my feet and let them be
swift and beautiful for Thee.

Take my voice and let me sing
always, only, for my King;
Take my lips and let them be
Filled with messages from Thee.

Take my silver and my gold,
Not a mite would I withhold;
Take my intellect and use
every power as Thou shalt choose.

Take my will and make it Thine,
it shall be no longer mine;
Take my heart, it is Thine own,
It shall be Thy royal Throne.

Take my love, my Lord, I pour
at Thy feet its treasure-store;
Take myself, and I will be
Ever, only, all, for Thee.

Hear our words, oh God, that they might be real and true and genuine. Holy Spirit, move within each of us today that we will desire to do and be all the things we have just prayed for ourselves. There is nothing more we would rather be than totally yours; so please take our hands, our feet, our voices, our possessions, our lives, hearts, thoughts and motives and use them, direct them, so that everything we say and do will be pleasing to You! Take our love, Lord, and multiply it so that it overflows onto everyone we meet today. In the precious name of Jesus ... Amen

Praying for the wives ... and future spouses out there

Heavenly Father, there are some exceptionally wonderful women you've placed at GS and we need to take some time to lift them up to you!

You know each one by name ... you know all of their struggles ... all of their joys ... their hurts; their pains. You know every hair on each beautiful head, Father. You will fulfill your purpose in each one of them, Lord ... Your love endures forever!

Right now, we lift up Judy, Chris, and Kimberly; wives of great men who love "to tell your story".

Lord, thank you for 40 years for Judy "in the ministry" with her husband! Thank you for your faithfulness to her all these years ... for inspiring her, for providing for all her needs, for comforting her. Lord Jesus, wrap Judy in your arms and hold her tight ... continue to fill her with support and encouragement for her husband. Be with Pastor and Judy as they plan for retirement ... send your angels to guard against all danger during traveling ... provide good health ... shower them with Your peace and love always!

Father God, we praise you for Chris and the woman she is! Her joy, peace, patience, and kindness radiate your love, Lord. Guide her and show her your ways as she mothers the 5 little blessings you've given her. Please keep her strong and healthy; providing her with rest and replenishment as she needs it. Protect her and the kids as they camp this week. Give them and all the "family campers" good weather and wonderful memories, please Lord. Father, as Pastor and Chris get ready for their mission trip to Alaska next month, reassure them in their plans ... calm any fears or worries with your peace.

Holy Spirit, abide in Kimberly as she is apart from Tom right now. Provide just the right amount of time for her to take care of everything that needs to happen before she leaves to join him in Haiti next month. Guide her as she continues to be one of your shining stars ... even in this dark world. Give her just the right words to always speak your truth, no matter what the reaction of others might be. Continue to give her wisdom and understanding as it pertains to mothering, being a supportive wife, a responsible employee, and every other role you have given her.

Lord, we pray for each of these women and all women connected with Good Shepherd Lutheran Church and School; that your love and mercy is felt by each and every one of them. Place on their hearts the desire to grow in their relationship with you, Lord, and with that will surely come hearts filled with support and encouragement for their husbands, children, friends, ... everyone they come in contact with.

For those women that are not yet married, Father, we ask that you provide patience and confident hope that the man you have picked out for them is out there and you have it all planned out ... just right. Build up those men, Lord ... make them men of great integrity ... men that have humbled themselves and make you the center of their lives.

Father in heaven, we thank you for this wonderful day and the opportunity we had to come into your sanctuary and worship you! We look forward to living each day this week knowing that you are with us; walking right by our side. Make your presence known Lord. We long to feel your touch; fill us up when we are empty. Bless us and keep us, Lord. Look down on us with favor. Make your face shine upon us and give us your peace. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Great Expectations

"We should act with as much energy as those who who expect everything from themselves, and we should pray with as much earnestness as those who expect everything from God." Charles Caleb Colton

Lord God, Heavenly Father, King of Kings, Prince of Peace, we do expect big things, but unfortunately we do tend to rely on ourselves to provide them ... and sometimes we don't expect much and aren't surprised when not much happens. Instead of us being complacent, we are letting go of any old, bad habits and crying out to you, earnestly in prayer! We know we need change in order to grow Your Kingdom, Father. We know we need unity so that we can all work together, side by side, with a one-mindedness, focused on You. Lord, we're asking You now to be the King of the Universe to the children and teens of our congregation; to reveal Yourself in a new way to them and draw them close to You. We need your help, God, and we have been also looking for manual help by adding a staff member dedicated to serving You by working with our youth. We have been blessed with the addition to our paid staff and we ask you to lead and guide Terry as he endeavors to rally our youth for You! Father, help Terry stay the course and run the race marked out for him. Provide him everything he needs; health, energy, time, focus, and helpful parents. Holy Spirit, fill the kids with the desire to want to know you more and help them to see that this is a great opportunity to be a part of something big! Fill the parents with Your conviction to also be a part of the new improved youth program, Lord. Instill in them that parents are to "train up a child" in Your way, God. Show them that everything they do and say is a model for their children and teens. Help us all be supportive of Terry, encouraging to him and our youth. Help us to seek ways to be a positive part of the youth program. Convict our hearts to know what to do and how to pray, Lord Jesus. Be with us, the kids, Terry, and our pastoral staff and ministry leaders. Guide us, lead us, protect us from Satan, and teach us to go out and make disciples for you, Jesus. Amen.

Prayer for Tom

Father God, we thank you for the gifts and talents you have given each and every one of us! Today we especially thank you for Tom Donnelly and his gift of teaching! We so appreciate all he has done for Good Shepherd, particularly the leading of a Sunday morning Bible Study for the past several years; teaching and preaching your Word to young and not-so-young adults.
Holy Spirit, because of your work, Tom has been an instrument in shaping and molding hearts ... because of your work in our hearts, lives have been changed ... knowing, loving, and following Jesus. What a blessing Tom has been! Thank you, Lord Jesus!
Thank you, heavenly Father, for placing Tom in our midst and thank you for his health, his energy, his desire to go out and reach people outside our community, outside this country, with the truth of your Word; the very words of life and salvation in Your beloved Son, our Lord, Jesus Christ.
Father God, we ask now that your loving arms are around Tom, coaxing and comforting him as he makes final preparations and takes flight on Saturday, leaving his family for a time before some of them join him throughout the summer. Lord, Tom will miss his wife, daughters, sons, friends and probably even his dogs. Holy Spirit, dwell within Tom and comfort him, giving him vision and strength to carry out the mission you have given him, looking ahead to joyous reunions! Keep him safe, healthy and strong, Father. Keep him focused and fed and provide him with needed rest. Provide for him financially so he can carry on without that concern. Lord, give him wisdom and understanding as he works with the Haitian people. Above all, Lord, keep Tom's will in alignment with your will ... your good and perfect will. May many more people learn about what you, in your unimaginable love, have done for us through the death and resurrection of your Son, our Savior, Jesus!
In His mighty name, we pray. Amen.

"Pray without ceasing"

1 Thessalonians 5: 16 "Be joyful always; 17 pray continually; 18 give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

Life is not easy. Can I get an 'amen' here?

How does one go through life on this earth "always joyful"?

Nehemiah 8:10 "...Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength."

Psalm 28:7 "The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song."

Lord God, help us to see things the way you do ... seeking out the important things that give us joy ... like knowing you and looking forward to eternal life with you.

Seriously, is it possible to "pray continuously"?

In all things in all times and in all places we can and should be talking to God ... He's in love with us and loves to hear from us ... about every detail; big and little ... in trouble and affliction ... in thankfulness and praise ... there is no better listener and no deeper lover of our soul. Lord, I do believe you love me like that ... help my unbelief!

Do we really "give thanks in ALL circumstances"? ... even when we don't feel our circumstances are something to be thankful for?

Thankfully Jesus warns us, "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33 Thank you, thank you, for the warning, Jesus! Help me to see that any suffering or trouble I am going through pales in comparison to what you went through for me.

Father God, please forgive us when we think of prayer as a last resort ... or an afterthought. Help us to be mindful of you and all you provide and want to give us ... the joy and peace that passes all understanding ... the hope of everlasting happiness.

Lord, we lift up our pastors to you today as they make their final preparations to lead our congregation in worship of you ... as they put the finishing touches on their sermons inspire them with your Word that they may speak it boldly and declare the Good News of the salvation you've sent in your son, our Savior, Jesus!

Holy Spirit, work in the hearts of all those that enter our church building this weekend. Fill the building with your holiness and fill us up to overflowing with your love. Convict every person who is a part of Good Shepherd that although we need food and water ... man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from You, Lord. Put a desire in each one of us to absorb your Word every day.

Thank you for another beautiful day. In the precious name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.

Praying the Lord's Prayer

In Matthew Chapter 6, beginning at verse 5, Jesus gives us direction, guidelines, specifics about how to pray. As we pray His prayer, there are 5 'P's to help us keep focused:

Praise ... Praising God for who He is ... May His name be holy among us!

Priorities ... Above all things, may His will be done and His kingdom come!

Provision ... May He provide for all our needs, and help us to grasp the difference between our 'needs' and our 'wants'

Pardon ... May He forgive us our sins ... through our repentance (turning away from) and confession (1 John 1:9 "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.") ... and convict our hearts to forgive those who have sinned against us.

Protection ... May He protect us from Satan's schemes by teaching us through His Word how to arm ourselves from that which is not from Him (Ephesians 6: 10-11 "Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power ... put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.")

"Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one."
For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. For You alone, God, are the King, from whom we seek help. You alone, have the power to grant our prayers. We give You all glory and praise for all You have done for us.
Amen.

"Be joyful in hope, patient in afflication, and faithful in prayer." Romans 12:12

1 Corinthians 1:8-10
He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.
I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought.

Dear Father in Heaven, you are our hope, our provider, our comfortor! You give us everything we need at the perfect time ... all the time! We come to you at this time, seeking your will, seeking the face of Jesus, asking your holiness to reign in our lives and upon every heart at our church ... your church. Bless our pastors and those you've called to be leaders with the spirit of wisdom and truth. Lord, change the hearts of anyone who is not in line with your will; bring about repentance and forgiveness. God, send your holy angels to guard and protect us from the enemy, Satan, as he seeks to destroy all that is good. Give us discernment, Lord, so that we will recognize anything that is not in line with your will for us. Father God, may our mission always be about helping people to know, love, and follow your son, Jesus, our Good Shepherd. We ask all this in the precious and mighty name of Jesus! Amen