Father God, You are all-knowing, almighty, all powerful and all sufficient! Thank You for Your endless, boundless grace and mercy! Thank You for flooding Your sanctuary with Your holiness yesterday ... Your presence is always there, Lord, and we thank You for that even when we don't "feel" You; we know You are there and want us to draw near to You.
You have great plans for us; and for Gloria Dei in Hudson, Ohio! We praise and thank you for giving us a wonderful shepherd in Pastor Eric Tritten for almost 13 years! Some of us remember the day we met him and his lovely wife Chris, pregnant with Ricky, fresh out of the seminary, ready to serve You here. You gave us a great gift, Lord, and we are so appreciative for the memories, the spiritual growth, the learning and living we've done together. We've worked side by side with Pastor T and have experienced a lot over the years; the time has flown by!
Lord God, there are so many emotions right now. We're sad for us because our friends are moving away. We're hurting because we don't want to see a good thing end. We're confused because maybe we didn't think Pastor T's work was finished here. Father, we might think we know what we want and what we need but if we fail to put our trust in You, we haven't learned a thing about who You are ... You are the only One we can trust ... You are the Way, the Truth, and the Life! Thank you!
Father God, You called Pastor T to Gloria Dei ... we are happy for Your children there as they are in need of a man of integrity to shepherd them ... though it's difficult to let go, and we are asking for Your help in doing that, Lord, we know we need to say goodbye and ask Your blessing upon Pastor and Chris and the children as they follow Your call. Please provide everything they need and shower them with continued assurance that they are doing exactly what You've made clear for them to do.
Father, as we get over the "shock" and begin to "regroup", please, please help us to focus on seeking Your will and leaving everything else at the foot of Jesus' cross.
We trust You to provide everything we need, Lord God. We ask that You reign in our hearts and minds as we seek Your face and Your will, Lord. Please pour out Your spirit upon Pastor T, Vickie, Haroldeane, Terry, John, Mark, and everyone else involved as they each do what needs to be done to move forward. Please dispell any heaviness and lift all hearts to do and say only that which is of YOU, Father God. Flood every heart that is a part of Good Shepherd with You, Lord. Strip away any feelings of doubt, bitterness, gossip .. all things that get in the way of serving You and helping us to each go out and make disciples of Jesus, our Lord and Savior. Help us to lift up and encourage each other with Your words .. help us to speak the Truth boldly and in love. Hold our tongues when words are to come out that are not Yours, oh God ... and pour Your words out of us that are what You want us to say!
Protect us from the evil one who wants to torment us and tear us down and apart from You, Father God! Send your holy angels to guard against all evil! Help us to use our time and talents for You; to bring You glory, Lord Jesus! Thank You for Your endless, boundless grace and mercy! In Your name, we pray. Amen.
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