A Prayer For You Today

A certain kind of preaching is more scolding than verse-by-verse exposition. There can be a place for rebuke, but never THE place. When Paul preached to the Thessalonian church, he said he cared for them, just as a nursing mother cares for her children. (1 Thessalonians 2:7)

Seeing your faces before I began my sermon this past Sunday, I was genuinely overwhelmed with how much I care for you and, at the same time, sincerely want the very best for you as well. This prayer is in keeping with that. If God is loving enough to give us Psalm 20:4, I want to be caring enough to ask this in prayer for you in Christ’s name, to the praise of God’s glorious grace.

Father, by Your grace, we are Your children. Jesus has accomplished everything to make this so.

Your people have plans and deep-seated desires in their inner person. They are (please take a moment to tell God what they are). We do not make requests of You because we deserve them, but because of Your great mercy. Therefore, we humbly ask that You, in Your great mercy and love, answer them favorably according to Your wisdom, goodness, and love.

For Jesus' sake, we ask. Amen.  

God bless you in all things, great and small.

Pastor Joe