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.
Friday, September 10, 2010
Thursday, September 9, 2010
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!
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!
Saturday, September 4, 2010
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
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
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