Prayers...

Prayers for the week of  November 30, 2014.

O Lord, heavenly Father, for rending the heavens and coming down to save us in the Person of Your Son Jesus Christ our Lord, receive our thanks and praise and sustain us in the faith and fellowship of Your Church, that we may not lose heart during earth’s days of struggle but look in faith’s confidence to that day when Christ returns in glory to receive unto Himself all who joyfully proclaim, “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD.”   Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Graciously receive our prayers, O Lord.  Deliver and preserve us. To You alone, O , be all glory, honor, and worship, with the Son and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever, Amen.

“I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus, that in every way you were enriched in him in all speech and all knowledge—even as the testimony about Christ was confirmed among you—so that you are not lacking in an spiritual gift, as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. ”   1 Corinthians 1: 4-8.

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A Prayer based on the Petitions of the Lord’s Prayer

“And lead us not into temptation,”

In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

O Lord, You tempt no one; but we pray that you would be our advocate in times of temptation and tribulation. To that end, lend your fatherly ear to my petitions:

* For the ill, suffering, injured: O Lord, in your earthly ministry, you were the advocate of the blind, the lame, and all who came to you in their affliction. Hear my prayer for those who are ill, suffering, or injured, especially Sue (niece of Kathy Hoppmann*), Debbie (daughter-in-law of Ed and Elaine Taylor*),  David (brother of Missy Kovacik*) and Donna (friend of Diane Mautone*)  - as well as all friends and family members who struggle with cancer.

* Please bless our shut-ins in especially Dorothy Bratton*, Irene Fehrman*, Geraldine Hagemann* as well as these who are temporarily limited in their ability to attend church:  Bruce Morecraft, Janet Keller, Alice, Breneman, and Myrtle Stade.  Keep all of these from the temptation to despair and reassure them of your constant mercy and your healing hand.

* For the anxious, lonely: O God, You are the advocate of those whose anxieties need to be quieted by Your divine peace. Hear my prayer on behalf of all the Widows and Widowers of Calvary; keep them from the temptation to doubt Your will and place their hopes in self-made gods. Calm them in the hour of trial and temptation, and encourage them through the promises of Your Word.

* For the mourning: O Lord, You promise to be our advocate, even in the face of death. Hear my prayer on behalf of Bob and Dolores Kramer as they mourn the death of Bob's brother, David.  Keep them from the temptation to question Your victory over death. Comfort them in this time of sorrow, that they might rise from the temptation to believe death has won to rejoice in the promise that – just as Christ has been raised from the dead by Your glory, we too will walk in the newness of life.

* For the rejoicing: O Lord, we need not be tempted by the world’s allure, because You promise to bless us in all things. Hear my prayer of thanksgiving on behalf of Nancy and Jake White who celebrate birthdays this week.   Grant them a thankful heart  that is defended from temptation to attribute their joy to themselves or the world, and that rejoices in Your fatherly goodness.

Hear my petitions, O Heavenly Father, for the sake of Your Son, in Whom we have an everlasting Advocate against all temptation, and through whom we pray, “Our Father, who art in heaven…”