Pastor Prayer ~ Genesis 50:15-26

Almighty God, You alone are Creator.  You created all things and are continually involved in creation as to keep, care and direct all things. You alone plan each day and in your councils are all plans established.  You are Sovereign.  You are our God of providence.  There is no other.   We confess our hearts are often seeking to be in the place of God.  We want to make our own plans, our own goals, our own assessments, and our own judgments.  And throughout our lives we are reminded of our limited abilities, authority and influence.  We are unable to order our own thoughts, desires, and feelings much less the world around us.  And we confess that death is the most humbling reminder that this world is not dependent upon us and our agenda.  Thank you, Lord, for generations will come and go but your Word will abide forever.  Your promises will be established and your purposes accomplished.  Lord, grant your grace this morning that we may see and trust your sure hope we have in Christ.   As we see the great evil around us which is due to their planning and plotting, grant your Spirit to give us confident hope in Christ.  In the midst of the guilt and fear of our own hearts, cause us to trust Christ.  When our days draw to their end, cause us to find our rest in Christ.  We ask these things in the name of our great Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen & Amen.

Pastor's Prayer ~ 1 John 2:18-27

O God, most high, most glorious, the thought of Thine infinite serenity cheers me, for I am toiling and moiling, troubled and distressed, but Thou art for ever at perfect peace. Thy designs cause thee no fear or care of unfulfilment, they stand fast as the eternal hills. Thy power knows no bond, Thy goodness no stint. Thou bringest order out of confusion, and my defeats are Thy victories: The Lord God omnipotent reigneth.

I come to Thee as a sinner with cares and sorrows, to leave every concern entirely to Thee, every sin calling for Christ's precious blood; revive deep spirituality in my heart; let me live near to the great Shepherd, hear His voice, know its tones, follow its calls. Keep me from deception by causing me to abide in the truth, from harm by helping me to walk in the power of the Spirit. Give me intenser faith in the eternal verities, burning into me by experience the things I know; Let me never be ashamed of the truth of the gospel, that I may bear its reproach, vindicate it, see Jesus as its essence, know in it the power of the Spirit.

Lord, help me, for I am often lukewarm and chill; unbelief mars my confidence, sin makes me forget Thee. Let the weeds that grow in my soul be cut at their roots; grant me to know that I truly live only when I live to Thee, that all else is trifling. Thy presence alone can make me holy, devout, strong and happy. Abide in me, gracious God.
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Pastor's Prayer ~ Genesis 50:1-14

Almighty God,  You are the Maker of all things.  You give us breath and life.   You sustain us day to day by the Word of your power.  You alone must be our great joy, hope, trust for you alone are worthy.  Lord, we confess our frequent fear, anxiety and avoiding of death.  We find very little hope & confidences and anticipation for a day to come when we will set aside all the empty dreams and joys of this world & partake in kingdom come and drink deeply of your presence divine.  Lord, I ask for you to grant us faith this morning as we hear your Word preached.  Cause our souls to wait for you with joy and anticipation.  For you alone are our help and and our shield.  Cause our hearts to be glad in Christ because all our trust is in His holy name.   Let your steadfast love be upon us, O Lord, even as you water our dry souls this morning with your refreshing Word that we may look with great joy and hope and confidence and faith to that day when we may meet the Lord in the air, and so we will be always with Him.   Amen & Amen.
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Pastor's Prayer ~ Genesis 49

Almighty God, You are the Mighty One, the Shepherd, the stone of Israel, the God of our fathers who provides, protects & blesses.  You alone are worthy of all praise and worship.  Lord, you have gathered us this morning that we might hear again your precious words.  Lord, grant your Spirit this morning that we may listen with hearts ready and waiting for your Word to come and shape us into a people which reflects your glory.  Cause your Word to so come as to produce conviction of sin, repentance unto life, faith in Christ, hope for heaven and love for the saints.  We confess the burden we often feel when we consider gathering on Lord’s day.  We confess our hearts are often cold and tired as we receive your Word read, sang, prayed or proclaimed.  Lord, give us great hope and joy as we wait for your salvation shown to us in your Word this morning.  Lord, help us find our greatest rest & comfort for this weary journey of life when we gather as your people on Lord’s day.  Grant your Spirit to come this morning as we receive you Word that we might know what is our hope to which we have been called, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe in Christ Jesus.  Amen & Amen.

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