Pastoral Prayer by Paul Meeks #30
Our gracious and loving Heavenly Father, we come to you
today in the name of Jesus. We want to acknowledge your divine presence
with us. We don't have to ask you to come down to be among us.
You're right here, right now. Closer are you than breathing and nearer
than hands and feet. We're not talking into the air and we're not talking
to each other, but we're talking with you. We're assured in your Word
that if we ask anything according to you will, you hear us, and if we know that
you hear us we have the petitions we desired of you. We don't want to ask
anything outside your will and we don't want to ask just for selfish motives or
simply personal desires, but we do seek your will and we determine to do your
will as we understand it, both personally and individually and also as a part
of the Body of Christ.
It's so good to be here together in your house this morning
with our brothers and sisters in Christ. We belong together, we're a part
of each other, and we look forward to this time of being in fellowship with
each other and with you. And, Lord, some of my brothers and sister here
this morning are carrying very heavy burdens. Some of the concerns are
hidden deep in their hearts and nobody on earth knows,
and sometimes they think that nobody else cares. They can't share the
hurts and disappointments and betrayals with anyone, but you know all about
it. You share every heartache and care. You temper and calm every
tempest that bl ows, and you know all about it, you know. And so, please
help each one there in the deep recesses of their own hearts and minds and
emotions to reach out to you because you're already reaching out to us and you
want to meet deep needs right now. We can go away from this service with
renewed strength and courage to go on. This is no time to give up or to
turn back, but the walk with you is always onward and upward. Thank you,
Lord, for hearing our prayers right now.
We're very concerned about the condition of the world and
the volatile situation particularly in the
We pray for our President and the men and women of the
cabinet. We know that they face tremendous problems continually and they
need wisdom and understanding that can come only from you. We pray for
the men and women of the congress as they deliberate and endeavor to lead our
nation. We know that many of them are Christians and desire to be led by
the Holy Spirit and we pray for all of them. We pray, too, for the men
and women in the courts of land and that they might be under the influence of
the Holy Spirit.
We pray for the needs of our own community. We know
that there are people being abused, even little children. There are drug
addicts and alcoholics and drug dealers. We need a revival right here
that will change people's hearts and that will make a difference in the homes
all around us.
We pray for the pastors and leaders of our church. We
ask that you would put your plans and directions in our hearts and minds and
help us all to be sensitive to your will.
We pray for Pastor Steve as he speaks to us this
morning. We ask that he will be able to communicate the things that you
have directed him to. Help us to be willing hearers and to be obedient to
your voice.
We pray in the name of Jesus who taught us to pray, "Our Father who art in heaven . . . .
Paul Meeks