Pastoral Prayer by Paul Meeks

Our gracious and loving Heavenly Father, we come to You today in Jesus' name, the name that's above every name in heaven and on earth.  How comforting it is to know that You're in control of the world and even the whole universe, however vast and big it is!  Things happen all over the world that are troubling and perplexing, but we know that You're never surprised or perplexed.  You're also in charge of our own world and the affairs of our lives, and You're never surprised or perplexed there, either.  Things happen to us that we don't understand and we have questions and wonder why things are as they are.  But there are some things we won't ever understand and some things we don't need to understand, at least not for now.  So, help us to trust You even when we can't see, because with our hand in Yours, we'll make it through.  Thanks for being there.

We're thinking especially today about those that have lost loved ones in recent days, particularly the Martin family and the Matchettes, but there are a number of others that still feel their loss keenly and even when others forget, its never far from their minds and emotions.  We pray for the comfort of the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, and may they find in You their source of strength and the courage to go on.

We pray, too, for those with sicknesses and physical problems.  You're the Great Physician and You know just what they need and how to meet all of their needs, both physical and emotional, and we uphold them this morning.

We pray for our president and his cabinet.  We pray for the men and women of congress and those of the courts of our land.  They need the influence of the Holy Spirit as they make vital decisions day after day that effect us, not only today, but for years in the future.  We're thankful for all those that know You and call upon You for Your direction and guidance, and we know that there are many of them.  We pray for Your influence in the affairs of our nation.

Thank You for Your presence with us right now in this service, because we sense that You are here.  We want to be drawn closer to You.  We want to be encouraged and uplifted and challenged in our personal lives.

We pray for our pastor as he ministers this morning.  You have already spoken to him and now we expect You to speak to us through him.

We pray in the name of Jesus our Savior who taught us to pray-(Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name . . . . Congregation prays the Lord's prayer.)