Our Interim Pastor

Heavenly Father, thank you for sending Your Holy Spirit to live in each of us so that we can believe Christ Jesus is our Lord and Savior!

Precious Jesus, thank you for being exactly who You say You are ... redeemer, sustainer, life giver, wonderful counselor, savior, ultimate lover of our souls!

We praise You, God, for Pastor Mackowiak and all the experience, wisdom, and Holy Spirit-filled discernment You have given him ... for such a time as this. Thank you with blessing us with his presence at Good Shepherd! We are trusting You, Lord, to do big things at Good Shepherd to build and strengthen the body of Christ in our members and to those outside our doors who do not yet know You as their awesome, loving God!

We are here, Lord, to serve You. Settle in us a deep longing to be in Your Word and to come to You, Father God, in unceasing prayer. As we get to know Pastor Mackowiak, please guide our thoughts and words that they may be acceptable and pleasing in Your sight, O God. Encourage us to lay our crowns at Your feet, casting aside our pride, and our narrow and comfortable thinking that is not Yours, Lord. Move us out of the way so Your Way is the only one that everyone sees and accepts. Bless us with wisdom and discernment so that in all we do we are seeking Your face, Your will, Your desire for our hearts ... that everything we do is done to bring glory to You, Lord.

Teach us Your ways, O Lord. Fill us with everything that is good and perfect, everything that is Christ Jesus, in whose name we pray and whose feet we lay our crowns before. Amen.

Praying for GS Haiti Mission Team

Some of the team has what Michelle is calling "travelers' flu," an intestinal flu. They have had non-stop rain for days now, with no breaks, so they are wet, tired, and some are sick.

Many only took a few clothes along in order to make more room for medical and other supplies, because always before we were able to wash and hang dry clothing...that hasn't been possible on this trip. There are now clothes hanging under the porch at one house, and as long as the rain keeps coming down vertically, they may dry some.
As you can see, there are lots of reasons that spirits may be discouraged, so we need to pray about that, too!
The good news is that this flu is responding to Cipro antibiotics; but it's leaving them weak as they recover. They need to travel all day on Monday, so they need strength and for no one else to get sick, if possible.
Also, Leonie is still not feeling well, so some prayers for her and prayers for wisdom as they discuss whether she might want, or need, to travel to the U.S. to see a doctor.

Mighty, merciful Father God, You know all things and are in control of everything! We thank and praise You for that! We are so grateful that You are our loving, sovereign King and that You always have our best interests in mind! Holy Spirit, abide in us and keep our thoughts on trusting You for all our needs.

We come before You, Lord, asking for Your healing hand to be upon our team in Haiti, that You would clear away all illness from their bodies as they try to work and enjoy these last couple of days there. We want them to feel good, to be strong and able to serve, and to have energy to attend worship tomorrow. God, You are in control and You will make it all happen just as it should! We are trusting You to accomplish all that You have planned!

Lord God, King of Your universe, we ask that, if it is Your will, that You make the rain stop for a while. From what the photos show of Les Cayes, there is flooding, Lord. Again, Father God, You are in control and You know and will do what is best. May our wants and needs be in line with what Your good and perfect will is for us and the people of Haiti.

Our hearts go our to our friends, family, and all Your children, Father God. Please continue to keep them all in Your loving arms. Guide, protect, comfort and strengthen them all. Give them wisdom and discernment to know and do what You would have them do. Bless their time and travel for those who will be leaving on Monday to return to their Michigan homes. In the mighty name of Jesus we pray all these things and everything else that is on our minds, trusting You to take care of all that is needed and in line with Your perfect will. Amen.