Sunday, October 26, 2014

Rformation Day General Prayer



Lord God heavenly Father, You alone are the God of heavenly armies, mighty in battle and strong to save.  Help us to find refuge in You and a very present help in trouble as we come to You in prayer:

Throughout all those times of life when it seems that the earth gives way beneath our feet—when we mourn the loss of loved ones—when we are ill—when our families and marriages are filled with pain—we ask that You would be with us and bless us and heal all within in us that robs us of Your joy and peace.  We ask Your healing for those who are ill.

Because we continue to live in a world of war and nations that totter on the brink of collapse, be with all of those to whom You have given the authority to rule.  Bestow upon them gifts of wisdom and compassion.  Especially do we ask that You would bless and defend our own nation.  Guide our leaders, inform our citizens, and protect our military.

We thank You that in Your gracious rule of the Church You raised up Martin Luther to restore the eternal Gospel to the proclamation of the Church.  Continue to bless the work of the Church on earth that every nation, tribe, and people might come to know the Good News of salvation in Your Son Jesus. 

We ask for the blessing of the Holy Spirit upon our congregation and church body that we would always be known as Your disciples by abiding in Your Word.  Especially do we pray for Emily as she celebrates her birthday, that You would bless her in body and soul all her days.

Help us to always take Your Law seriously so that we might acknowledge our sins and live lives of continual repentance—turning from our sins in sorrow and turning to Your Son in peace and hope-- confident that through faith in him You have declared us right in Your sight. 

We thank You that the blood of Jesus has set free from our sins and the power of the devil.  We know that having been set free by the Son—we are free indeed—even from the fear of death.  Especially do we thank You for the confidence we have in Your Son’s resurrection that because he lives, we also will live. 

Gracious heavenly Father, we give You thanks for all the earthly gifts that sustain and bless our lives.  We pray that you would continue to bless the work of all those who labor to feed and clothe and shelter us and that You would graciously meet the needs of those who lack the necessities of life.

All of these things and whatever else You see that we need—whatever is to Your glory and the good of our neighbor—we ask You to grant to us in the name of Your Son Jesus who taught us to pray:  

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