Prayers from Sunday, May 1, 2016

Heavenly Father,
First and foremost, we come to you with open hearts.  We thank you for this beautiful morning and a wonderful choir that helps us to worship and praise your holy name.  We give you thinks for how you love us unconditionally.  You take what is broken inside our souls and you make it new in each and every one of us.  We thank you for your forgiveness when we disobey you and when we stubbornly do not keep your commandments.  Thank you Jesus for deeming us worthy of love by dying on the cross to pay for our sins.  We are not worthy, not even a little, but you willingly loved us so much that you paid loves ransom so that we may have an everlasting life together in your family.  We can't praise you enough.  We owe you all love and adoration as your name is worthy of our praise.  Thank you for the gift of the Holy Spirit that guides each of us daily to help us make choices that honor your will and give you glory.  Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Lord, we lift up prayers for those nearest to us, our family, our neighbors, our coworkers, that we may be encouragers and extend love and grace to them just as you extend to us even when that may be difficult to do.  Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

We pray for those who point us in the right direction in our lives: those such as teachers, our pastors and deacons, our mentors, our small group members and our veterans.  Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

We pray for our rulers, those who govern our country.  With your blessing Father, let America be a beacon of light and a bastion of hope for our world.  Impart into our nation's leaders the unquenchable thirst for virtue as we lift up the 2016 election.  We pray that truth will be brought into light as we near the voting process.  Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

We pray especially, Father, for those who are without hope in their lives today.  We pray for those with health issues both physically and mentally; we pray for those in broken relationships, those battling addiction, all the homeless here in Stockton and around the world; all your people who hunger and thirst not only for food but for spiritual food and for those who have not heard of your everlasting love yet.  Use us, your people, to be beacons of light in a dark world and give us courage to set ourselves aside and use the gifts and talents you have blessed us with, so that we may be ready to do so when opportunities arise to share the gospel with those in need.  Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Finally Lord, be with our brothers and sisters around the world as they seek to share your hope, grace, and salvation with the many people groups. We especially lift up Ecuador as they suffer and recover from a major earthquake.  The needs will definitely be mighty for the mission team from the Sending Place going in June.  Thank you father that you are the Almighty and you hear every prayer both BIG and SMALL.  All these prayers and petitions we humbly ask, your will and not ours.  We pray in your Son's precious name, and all God's people said, Amen.

Prayers for Sunday, May 15, 2016 – Pentecost Sunday

Written and led by Holly Andersen and Rachel McGehee

Let us pray,
Gracious Spirit, we read in the first chapter of Genesis that when the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and that you, the Spirit of God, were hovering over the waters. You have been at work in the world since the very beginning. We are filled with joy on this day of Pentecost that our Lord Jesus sent you to be our counselor and guide as we walk and live out lives of faith. Gracious Spirit, Shine in our hearts.

The Apostle Paul says in Romans 8:11, “If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.” You, Holy Spirit, have given us life! Not “someday,” but now, right here on this earth, you are living inside our broken bodies. This is too much for us to grasp. Open our hearts and minds to humbly accept the unimaginable power of your life in us. We ask that your Spirit would continually transform us, breaking the power of addictions, greed, racism, apathy, pride, and envy. Gracious Spirit, Shine in our hearts.

In Acts chapter 1 verse 8, we read Jesus’ promises to his disciples, “’But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.’” Lord, you promised your Spirit to your faithful disciples, and with the promise gave a great commission. Your Spirit gives us power to witness your mercy to the whole earth, but like the first disciples starting in Jerusalem, help us share your love first with the people in our own communities. Stockton and its surrounding areas need your healing and mercy so desperately; give us the desire and willingness to first reach out to those living in our homes and on our own streets. Thank you for organizations like the Gospel Center Rescue Mission and the Pregnancy Health Center who share your love in practical ways in our city. We pray for the Christians on our school boards, city council, county offices, state legislature, and federal government, that they would lead with integrity and be quick to share their faith with those around them. We also pray for our brothers and sisters sharing the gospel around the world: give us generosity to support their missions, and soften our hearts to hear your call in each one of us. Gracious Spirit, Shine in our hearts.

Holy Spirit, When we are weak, when we do not know what to say or cannot say it, you help us. Romans 8 verse 26 tells us that in our weakness, when we do not know what we ought to pray, that you intercede for us with groans that words cannot express. You know the situations that leave us without words, the people for whom we can help in no way other than to life them up in prayer... for Mary Hintz, Riley Wells, Connie Rill and all those on our hearts, Gracious Spirit, Shine in our hearts.

Matthew 10, verses 19 and 20 say, Do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.” Father, how incredible it is that your very Spirit speaks through us when we open our mouths to share your word! Spirit of God, take away our fear of speaking your truth to others, and give us confidence to share our faith boldly. May we be looking for moments during our daily lives at school, at work, in our neighborhoods, and with our families to tell others about the hope we have in you. Gracious Spirit, Shine in our hearts. 

We pray in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  Amen.