Prayers of the Church, 12.7.08

Loving God, our souls magnify You, our spirits rejoice in You, our savior. You have looked upon us with favor, we, Your lowly servants.

This is how we come before You, Father. But do we mean it outside this gathering; do we mean it outside this room? We often act like we don’t need You, we often speak like we don’t honor You, we often even serve like You are not involved…because it’s about us and we are in control:

We, the mighty
We, the strong
We, the proud
We, the powerful
We, the arrogant

And it’s total delusion. Forgive us, Lord, for our sins. Forgive us, Lord. Give us awareness. Plant us firmly in reality…Your reality.

Make us as the lowly and lift us up. Fill our souls with good things: love, mercy, Godly service. Continue to walk with us, Lord and shower Your grace upon us.
Despite all, You, O Mighty One, have done great things for us. You have shown limitless mercy…journeyed with us, hurt with us, blessed us….waited for us to return to you.

From generation to generation You are the same. Be our Rock and our redeemer. Holy is Your name.

Fill us with the Good news. Help us keep Jesus the Lord of our lives when we work, when we play, even when we sleep.

Forgive our enemies, Lord, and bless them just as You bless us.

In the silence, Father, hear our prayers of intercession for those we hold most dear in our hearts:


Bless the Community Concerns and Missions groups we support including Agape Women’s Services, Appalachian Christian Camp, ETSU Christian Student Fellowship, Higher Ministries, Interfaith Hospitality Network, the Salvation Army, and Adult Education in Johnson City. We lift them all up before You.

And now we pray together as Jesus taught us to pray: